VOICE PRODUCTION

Normal voice production relies on three things:

• A power source (lungs)
• A vibrating source (vocal folds, or larynx)
• Anatomy to modify the sound (throat, mouth, tongue, lips and) teeth

The lungs expel air through the voice box cause the vocal folds to vibrate. The vocal folds are normally in an ‘open’ position, but come together to a ‘closed’ position to produce sound.

As air passes through the closed vocal folds, they vibrate. The tension length of the vocal folds alter with changes in pitch. This vibration of the vocal folds produces sound, which is then propelled through the throat and mouth. This is where the muscles of the throat, tongue, cheeks, lips modify the sound to recognizable words.