How to Use the Singing / Straw™ Without “Pushing” From Your Throat

If you're new to the Singing / Straw™, you might be wondering how to use it correctly without pushing from your throat. 

That's a fantastic question, and I’m excited to break it all down for you!

First things first: don’t push! 

The whole point of straw phonation is to take the pressure off your vocal folds, not add more. The straw helps you build strength and control, but only if you're using it correctly.

Here’s how to use it without straining:

1. Focus on Relaxing Your Throat

When using the straw, your goal is to feel the airflow pass through your vocal folds smoothly—no force. You shouldn’t feel like you're tightening or forcing your voice. If you are, ease up on the air pressure.

Instead of focusing on making a sound, focus on allowing the air to flow freely. The sound should feel easy, not pushed.

2. Which Vowels to Use

When you start with straw phonation, I recommend using open vowels like “ah” or “oo.” These vowels will give you more space in your throat and allow for smoother airflow. As you get comfortable, you can experiment with closed vowels like “ee” and “ay,” but start with the open ones to avoid unnecessary tension.

3. How Long Should You Train?

Training with the Singing / Straw™ doesn’t require hours of practice. 

In fact, sometimes shorter, more focused sessions are better than long, drawn-out ones. 

I recommend starting with 5-10 minutes a day. This gives your vocal folds time to adjust to the new airflow pattern.

As you build strength and control, you can gradually increase the time or complexity of your exercises. But keep it simple at first.

Based on the information on your website about the Singing / Straw™ and the available sizes, I would tweak a couple of things for even better accuracy and clarity. Here's an updated version:

4. Do I Need Water?

Great question!

The short answer: No, you don’t need water to get the full benefits of straw phonation with the Singing / Straw™.

Unlike other methods that require you to blow bubbles in a cup, our Singing / Straw™ is specially designed to give you the right amount of back pressure on its own, so you can focus on your vocal technique without extra fuss.

Now, the key to getting the most out of your straw is choosing the right diameter for your voice. If you’re new to straw phonation, I usually recommend starting with our Singing / Straw Original Set™ which includes 3, 3mm straws. You can use one, two, or use them all at the same time until you find the right balance for your voice. 

If you’ve been training your voice for a while or are already familiar with SOVT exercises, you might find that a smaller diameter straw (like the ones in our Singing / Straw™ PRO set) gives you the ideal amount of resistance for further strengthening and control. 

The PRO set comes with three different sizes: 2mm, 3mm, and 4mm, so you can experiment and find the best fit for your voice.

The goal is to find the optimal balance between airflow and pressure that works for you. 

The Singing / Straw™ gives you a customizable experience, whether you need more resistance to target specific areas or a gentler back pressure for smoother engagement.

5. Exercises for Chest, Head Voice, and Passaggio

Different vocal registers need different kinds of support, and this is where straw phonation really shines!

• Chest Voice: If you struggle with chest voice strength, try phonating on a low “ah” with the straw. The pressure will help keep your vocal folds engaged without pushing, helping you build power in your chest voice.
  

• Head Voice: For your head voice, switch to a lighter vowel like “oo” and focus on a relaxed, easy sound. You might not feel as much vibration in your chest, but you should feel the air flow more freely.
  

• Passaggio: This is the hardest part for many singers, but straw phonation can help smooth out the transitions between chest and head voice (the passaggio). Start by phonating through the straw on a neutral vowel like “ah,” and work your way through the passaggio. The back pressure will help keep things smooth.
  

6. Special Considerations (Like Dysphonia)

If you have specific conditions like dysphonia or other vocal issues, I always recommend working with a vocal coach or therapist to tailor your straw phonation practice to your needs. 

Straw phonation can help with many vocal issues, but it's best when combined with a mix of personalized guidance and advice from your doctor first and foremost. 

Wrapping It Up

The Singing / Straw™ is simple yet incredibly effective for improving vocal technique. 

Whether you’re working on building vocal strength, reducing strain, or expanding your vocal range, our straws are designed to help you develop better coordination and control—without putting unnecessary pressure on your voice.

Ready to dive in and see how straw phonation can take your vocal training to the next level? Click here to grab your Singing / Straw™ PRO today and start experiencing the benefits for yourself.