How a Straw Changed My Voice (And My Life)

I once thought a straw could never improve my voice. 

But after a presentation from a top voice scientist at a conference, everything changed.

That’s when I learned about straw phonation—a technique I had never heard of, and frankly, didn’t take seriously at first. 

A prominent voice scientist stood before a room full of vocal coaches, holding a coffee-stirring straw, and explained that using a straw could somehow transform our singing voices.

I’ll admit it, I thought, "Am I being pranked? This can’t be for real."

But after giving it a try, both with my own voice and with my students, I quickly realized that this simple tool was the key to unlocking new potential in my voice and my teaching. 

And now, the Singing / Straw™ has become a game-changer for my own voice and for the voices of countless students I work with.

And now, I’m ready to share this with you.

Here’s how it happened…

When I first tried the straw phonation technique, I was a bit skeptical. 

I sing with a big, heavy voice, and using a straw forced me to scale back the volume and overblown power I’d always relied on. 

It felt uncomfortable at first, but I pushed through, and within a few days, something incredible happened—I felt my voice become more controlled, smoother, and my high notes were becoming more fluid without the usual strain.

I started using it regularly, and the changes were immediate and noticeable.

The resistance from the straw forced me to stop pushing my voice too hard, which meant no more tired vocal cords after long singing sessions. 

I could feel my vocal folds working smarter, not harder. 

And that’s when I realized—this could really help my students.

So, I brought the idea back to my students.

 And here’s the fun part…

I was teaching around 200 students at the time, and I was very careful to test this with different singers first. 

I had to know: How would this work for everyone? Would it really work with all kinds of voices?

Here’s what I found:

Some students were more like me—big, powerful voices that loved to push, and others were more breathy and lighter in their sound. 

When I created the Singing / Straw™ I wanted to create a straw that had the power to balance both ends of the vocal spectrum.

For those who naturally sing with more breath and less compression, the straw helped them connect with the lower register and find more stability in their voice. 

On the other hand, those who pushed too much were able to relax and stop the strain by finding a more efficient voice connection.

It was a magic formula, but I had to keep testing it to make sure I was teaching it right.

I went through tons of plastic coffee-stirring straws. 

And let me tell you, it wasn’t pretty. 

The plastic straws were cracked, dirty, and, frankly, a hassle. 

That’s when I realized I needed a more sustainable and functional solution—one that could be used over and over, kept clean, and would last for the long haul.

So, in 2019, while I was away with my partner, Niall, in Mexico, we decided: I’m going to create the Singing / Straw. 

A reusable, durable, affordable tool that would provide singers with a practical solution. No more wasting plastic. 

Just a quality, easy-to-clean tool that would change the way we sing and teach.

Fast forward to today, and I’m beyond excited to be able to bring this method to singers, teachers, and coaches like you.

Ready to Bring This Into Your Teaching?

For the first time ever, I’m hosting a LIVE 90-minute workshop where I’ll teach you how to implement the Singing / Straw™ Method in your lessons.

 If you’ve already seen how transformational this tool can be for your own voice, imagine how much you can help your students unlock their potential by incorporating it into your lessons.

In this workshop, you’ll learn:

✔️ Why the Singing / Straw™ works and how to explain it to your students confidently

✔️ How to use it effectively in your lessons to build strength, reduce tension, and smooth out the dreaded “break” in every singers’ voice

✔️ How to avoid common mistakes that often lead to frustration for both you and your students

✔️ Practical strategies for improving vocal control, breath support, and overall sound in just a few sessions

But here’s the thing: This workshop isn’t just about theory. I’m giving you the real tools, tips, and exercises that I use in my own lessons every single day.

Ready to take your teaching—and your students’ progress—to the next level?

Register for the workshop here

Let’s make it happen together.

Your not-so-basic vocal coach, 

Whitney Nichole