Is Too Much Straw Phonation Hurting Your Voice? Why Balance is Key for Singers

I recently saw a post from a fellow vocal coach I really respect—he was sharing some thoughts on singing straws that caught my eye. 

Now, I’ll admit, the post was a little spicy. 

Basically, he was hinting that straw phonation might be too effective, and if you rely on it too much, it could actually hold you back.

And hey, I get it. I did create the Singing / Straw™, so of course, I’m a tiny bit biased. 

But here’s the thing: like anything, singing with your straw has to be balanced with the rest of your vocal routine to get the full effect.

I mean, imagine eating nothing but broccoli all day—it’s good for you, sure, but if you’re only eating broccoli, your body’s missing out on a ton of other nutrients.

The same goes for singing with a straw: 

It’s an amazing tool that helps singers at any level break through some of the trickiest parts of their voice faster than most traditional methods. 

But, like I tell all my Love Your Voice Course students, balance is key.

And if you’re doing straw phonation all the time, here’s what’s going to happen:

1. Vocal Imbalance: Focusing on just one technique is like only doing bicep curls at the gym—sure, you’ll get strong arms, but the rest? Not so much. Straw phonation can be extremely powerful, but if it’s all you’re doing, you’re missing out on other exercises that build a balanced, versatile voice.
2. Fatigue: Imagine running the same mile over and over. Eventually, you’d probably get pretty tired. Same with your voice! Your vocal folds aren’t one muscle, they’re a whole set. Overdoing any single exercise can leave them worn out. Mixing things up keeps all parts of your voice in shape, minus the burnout.
3. You’re Not Just a Straw Singer: I mean, I love the Singing / Straw (obviously, I made it!), but you’re a singer, not just a straw singer. Straw phonation is an incredible tool, but your voice needs variety to really develop strength, flexibility, and that effortless control we’re all after.

So, What’s the Takeaway?

A little goes a long way. 

Use your Singing / Straw daily, but just for a few minutes to ease into your voice each day. 

Then, jump into the rest of your vocal routine—scales, drills, and whatever else gets you warmed up for the music you want to make. 

That way, you’re getting all the benefits of straw phonation plus building a well-rounded, adaptable voice.

So yes—use the Singing / Straw, but don’t forget to mix it up for even faster results. (Something I dive deep into inside my Love Your Voice Course, if you haven’t joined already.)

For more tips and content just like this, make sure to leave me a comment to let me know what you want me to talk about next. 

Your not-so-basic-vocal coach,

Whitney Nichole