When Should You Use the Singing / Straw™ in Your Warm-Up?

Despite what you might think… 

No. I do not walk around all day with a straw hanging out of my mouth like it’s my whole personality.

I mean… true, buuuut not completely 😅

The Singing / Straw™ is a tool.  

A really useful one (I might add) that, yes, I created.

HOWEVER… 

It is just ONE tool in a singer’s toolbox.

And the way I like to use it?

Think of it as a foundational building block in your vocal warm-up routine: not the entire routine.

So… when do you actually use a singing straw?

This is one of the most common questions I get:

👉 How do I use a Singing / Straw?
👉 And when should I use straw phonation in my warm-up?

And if we’re talking about just your average everyday singer (not sick, not recovering from any serious vocal injuries, etc.), here’s how I like to approach it:

1. First thing in the morning (your “wake-up”)

This is not a full vocal workout.

You’re not out here doing a full-on singing warm-up before you’ve even had coffee.

This is just a quick: slide from the bottom of your range → to the top → and back down

That’s it.

This is one of the simplest ways to start using straw phonation as part of your daily vocal routine.

I personally keep straws everywhere for this exact reason:

• by my toothbrush

• by my bed

• in my car

Because the goal here is simple: wake up your voice before you start using it

2. At the start of your actual vocal warm-up

When you sit down to actually warm up (before rehearsal, recording, practicing, etc.), this is where the straw becomes your starting point.

Every. Single. Time.

I always begin with a slide.

This is one of my go-to SOVT exercises for singing, because it:

• gets everything moving

• helps you check in with your voice

• sets a solid foundation before you layer anything else on top

If you’ve ever wondered how to warm up your voice without strain, this is a great place to start.

3. “Feathered” throughout your workout

This is where people get it twisted.

You do not need to use the straw for your ENTIRE vocal warm-up.

In fact: you shouldn’t.

I mean you wouldn’t sing your entire set through a straw in front of an audience… would you?

Of course not! 

For most singers, I’d say the straw makes up about 👉 25% of your warm-up

The rest of your vocal exercises should include:

• vowels

• consonants

• actual singing

So instead of doing all straw phonation or no straw phonation, I “feather” it in:

• ONE straw exercise

• a couple non-straw exercises

• BACK to straw

• then back out again

It’s a mix.

A rhythm.

Not all or nothing.

What about days when your voice feels rough?

This is the exception.

If you’re:

• tired

• sick

• recovering

• or your voice just feels… off

That’s when you can lean more heavily on straw phonation and gentle SOVT exercises.

Those are your “let’s not make this worse” days

4. At the end of the day (your “cool down”)

Now this is the part almost nobody does…

And it’s SUCH a missed opportunity because at the end of the day—after speaking, singing, teaching, etc…. 

Your voice needs to be put away properly.

Not jump into a full vocal workout.

Just a quick:  2–3 minute cool down using the straw

That’s it.

This is one of the easiest ways to support long-term vocal health and recovery.

So… how should you be using the Singing / Straw™?

If we zoom out, it looks like this:

• Morning: quick wake-up

• Warm-up: start with straw phonation

• Workout: weave it in (don’t overdo it)

• End of day: quick cool down

Not sure which straw is right for your voice?

This is where most singers get stuck.

Too much resistance… not enough resistance… something that worked for someone else but doesn’t quite feel right for you.

If you’re not sure where to start, take the 2-minute quiz here >>>

It’ll point you in the right direction based on your voice so you’re not just guessing.

Final thought

The Singing / Straw™ isn’t meant to replace everything else you do.

It’s there to: support your voice, stabilize things, and help everything else work better.

So if you’ve been treating it like a quick pre-rehearsal fix or something you only use when things feel off… 

You’re not wrong, but you’re also not getting the full benefit.