In a message dated 9/2/2001 10:56:49 AM Central Daylight Time, info@g... writes: info@g... writes:
> Excessive and high breath pressure is ONE cause of the larynx being pushed > upwards. Or more accurately, it is the complete tracheal-bronchial tree > along with the joined larynx and the overhanging hyoid bone that are pushed > upwards when breath is taken to high. It is just a simple physiological > fact. True the larynx rises when we swallow, however you must be familiar > that it also can rise during incorrect vocalization yet the singer does not > swallow at the same time as he/she sings. High larynx posture is therefore > not only related to swallowing. >
While excessive airflow can cause the larynx to rise, most of the time singers who use a heightened larynx put it in that position prior to the airstream being released, even if they took a deep, low breath. This excessive compression (as in swallowing) causes the excessive subglottal pressure and the need for more air to be used than should be necessary. Why do they put the larynx in a hiked up position prior to phonation? The larynx lacks the ability to coordinate adduction without the use of suprahyoid muscles, especially as the singer moves out of chest. It is in most cases, not a reaction to the air, but the cause of inefficient airflow.
Randy Buescher
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