Using the Singing / Straw to Strengthen Vocal Fold Closure in Your Mix (Higher Register)

Ever feel like your high notes are a little breathy or weak? 

Maybe when you transition into the higher register, the sound isn’t as strong or connected as you’d like. 

Trust me–you’re not alone in this! 

The good news is that your Singing / Straw™ (yes, that simple straw you already own) can be a game-changer for building stronger vocal fold closure on those mix or higher register notes.

In other words, we’re going to get your high notes clear, powerful, and seamlessly connected to the rest of your range. 

Let’s Talk Range: And How To Connect Each Register Into One Voice

Let’s clear something up first: you might hear terms like chest voice, head voice, or mix voice, as if we have multiple voices. 

In reality, you have one voice–just different coordinations across your range.

I often use terms like “mix” or “higher register” for convenience (since many singers are familiar with them), but the goal is to strengthen the connection between all parts of your range so that transitioning from note to note feels seamless and efficient, with no cracks, bumps, or breathy patches.

What tends to happen for a lot of singers is a noticeable “break” or breathiness when entering the upper part of their range. 

If your vocal folds aren’t coming together firmly enough up there, extra air leaks through and causes that airy, disconnected sound. 

This is super common–especially if you’ve been singing lightly in that area or avoiding it altogether. 

Straw phonation to the rescue!

Why Straw Phonation Helps Vocal Fold Closure

Using the Singing / Straw is a form of semi-occluded vocal tract (SOVT) exercise–meaning you’re singing with some resistance. 

This resistance creates back pressure that reflects energy back to your vocal folds. 

That gentle “push” from the straw encourages your vocal folds to meet more efficiently, without you having to press or strain.

What does that mean for your higher register? 

It means the straw is training your folds to stay closed and connected, even on high pitches, reducing breathiness and improving vocal clarity. 

Over time, this builds the strength and coordination your folds need to work efficiently throughout your full range.

Straw phonation also smooths out transitions. Instead of flipping between parts of your voice, you’ll build more fluid movement between registers. 

Less cracks, less physical strain or push, and more control up and down your range.

Using Your Singing / Straw to Strengthen Your Mix Voice

Alright, so how do you actually use your straw to get these benefits? Here are a few of my favorite straw exercises and tips to specifically target vocal fold closure and mix voice strength. 

(You can follow along with me in this quick  5-minute warm-up on YouTube that includes sirens, sustain drills, and mix-strengthening patterns.)

1. Straw Sirens (Glides through Your Range)

Place the straw between your lips, take a comfy breath, and glide from a low note to a high note and back down in one smooth slide (imagine imitating a siren sound, “wooOOOoo”). 

Keep the sound steady through the straw. The goal is to pass through your usual “break” area without any sudden jumps. 

The straw’s resistance will naturally even out your airflow and pressure, helping your vocal folds transition smoothly between different parts of your range.

Do 3–5 sirens, going a little higher each time, but never forcing it. 

Over time, this exercise trains your folds to stay balanced and connected, especially through the middle zone where many singers feel unstable, helping your full range function as one continuous voice.

2. Straw Sustains on Higher Notes

Pick a note near the top of your comfortable higher register – one that often feels breathy or unstable for you. 

Now sing that single pitch through the straw on an “oo” vowel (or even just a hum). 

Maintain it for a few seconds with steady airflow. 

Then remove the straw and sing the same note on an open vowel (like “la” or “hee”). 

Hear a difference? Chances are your tone is immediately more clear and focused. 

By sustaining through the straw first, you likely encouraged better vocal fold closure for that pitch, without squeezing or over-driving it. 

This is a great way to isolate and strengthen specific notes that tend to feel disconnected in the upper part of your range. 

(In fact, one singer reported that after a few months of consistent straw practice, their persistent breathy tone vanished and those higher notes became easier than ever!)

3. Straw Octave Arpeggios (Connecting Lower and Higher Registers)

Now let’s get a little musical. Choose a simple 5-note scale or an octave arpeggio (for example, do-re-mi-fa-sol-fa-mi-re-do) that starts in your lower register and climbs into your higher register. 

Sing the pattern through the straw, nice and legato, focusing on a steady flow. Then repeat the same pattern immediately without the straw, using a comfortable vowel.

You’ll notice that singing it through the straw first helps you maintain consistent support and balanced cord closure when you go to sing it normally. 

The phrases should feel smoother and more even. This exercise basically uses the straw as a bridge between different parts of your range, so those notes in the middle (your mix) don’t feel like a wobbly suspension bridge – they’ll feel solid and supported instead.

If you practice these regularly, you’ll build the muscle memory for strong closure and seamless transitions, so your voice stays reliable and connected from bottom to top.

Bonus Tip: Adjust Your Straw Resistance When You’re Ready

The Singing / Straw set comes with three slim straws – and yes, that’s intentional! 

You can customize the resistance. Using one straw (3mm diameter) is the standard resistance. 

If you find that exercise is getting easy and you want more of a workout for your vocal folds, try using a slightly narrower straw (for example, the Singing / Straw Pro has a 2mm option) or even make the straw longer (cover one end a bit or attach two straws end-to-end).

A thinner/longer straw means higher resistance, which will require a bit more effort from your voice and can further encourage your folds to come together firmly.

Caution: Only increase resistance gradually, and never at the expense of vocal comfort. 

The exercises should still feel easy and buzzy, not strained. If it ever feels like you’re pushing or tensing up, back off and return to a gentler setup. The mantra here is “no pain, all gain”–the right amount of resistance will lead to better closure without any throat tension.

Practice Consistently and Mindfully

Like any workout, consistency is key. The straw is basically a gym for your vocal folds–each time you use it, you’re gently strengthening closure and coordination. 

Even 1–5 minutes a day of these exercises can make a noticeable difference. Pay attention to how your voice feels afterward: more centered, supported, and balanced.

And remember–this isn’t about flipping into a different voice. It’s about building one strong, connected voice from your lowest note to your highest.

The more you integrate these straw exercises into your warm-ups or even your song practice, the more effortless those transitions and high notes will feel.

Ready to Strengthen Your Voice from Bottom to Top?

By using your Singing / Straw to support vocal fold closure and register connection, you're saying goodbye to the cracks and breathiness—and saying hello to a voice that’s strong, flexible, and totally YOU from bottom to top.

So next time your higher range feels airy or uncertain, don’t push harder—just reach for your straw.

And if you’ve been thinking about picking up an extra set (maybe one to keep in your car or in your bag when you’re in travel-mode) or are ready to upgrade to the PRO… use code JULY4 to receive 20% off your next order!

Happy straw-singing! 

—Whitney Nichole