A common myth concerns the nose and what has been termed nasal resonance.
First, we must understand that a good resonator is able to be adjusted. The nose is not able to be adjusted. Therefore, the nose is not a good resonator, unlike the more flexible resonators in the vocal tract such as the pharynx and oral cavity.
Second, we must understand what is meant by nasal resonance. An old maxim that is helpful says, “The nose must be in the tone, but the tone should not be in the nose.”
When the tone is “in the nose” it normally indicates constriction in the throat with the muscles not working right. The tone feels like it gets stuck. We will have trouble as we try to sing higher. Proper formation of vowels is impossible. Thus, the ability to sing words that can be understood is greatly diminished. Also, the sound is pinched, narrow, and shallow. There is a tendency for singers to develop a nasal sound if the throat is constricted, which can negatively affect vocal quality.
Obviously we do not want the tone getting stuck in the nose, but the nose is a part of our head and plays a role in singing. It is part of the space in our head through which air travels. It is part of our unique body structure that plays a role in our sound being different from another person’s sound. And, it actually does play a role in resonance.
Ok, so what we might get confused about is that which is normally called nasal resonance is really related to air that moves in the different sinus cavities plus sympathetic resonance. The process of creating resonance involves the physical shape of the nasal cavity, which contributes to the overall sound.
If everything works right, then as we sing higher and higher, moving air issuing from the vibrating cords – sound source – fill up our sinuses.
First the sphenoid (when we sing lower and middle), then the posterior ethmoidal and anterior ethmoidal (when we sing middle and upper), and finally the maxillary sinuses (when we sing at the very top). All this doesn’t completely happen until there is some serious vocal development. Further, when this air moves up into these sinuses the bones in our skull and face actually vibrate in sympathy. These vibrations are a key part of the resonance process, and feeling these vibrations in the face or behind the nose can be an indicator of proper resonance. Resonance issues can occur if there are obstructions or irregularities in the nasal structures, which may affect the quality of the sound.
So, when people might say, “Wow! You have lots of nasal resonance” or “You are really singing in the mask,” what they are referencing is this air that has filled up the sinuses and the bones that are vibrating sympathetically. Of course, the nose is involved because it is part of our head, but we don’t do something with our nose or try to place the sound in our nose to make the sound sparkle or resonate. The ringing quality, or ring, and the characteristics of a resonant voice are often associated with this type of resonance. Singers should notice the sensations or effects of resonance in their own singing to help optimize their technique.
Note that there is another resonance even more important than sympathetic resonance, and that the perfect resonator is actually in the throat! The sound that is ultimately heard by listeners is shaped by these resonance effects throughout the vocal tract.
Anatomy of the Vocal System
The human voice is a marvel of biological engineering, capable of producing everything from a gentle hum to a powerful, expressive song. At the core of this system are the vocal cords—also known as vocal folds—housed within the larynx. When you sing or speak, air from your lungs flows through the larynx, causing the vocal cords to vibrate and generate sound waves. These sound waves then travel through the vocal tract, a series of interconnected spaces including the throat, mouth, and nasal cavity, each shaping and amplifying the sound in unique ways.
The nasal cavity, in particular, plays a significant role in vocal resonance. As air moves through the nasal passages, the cavity acts as a resonator, helping to amplify certain frequencies and add brightness to the sound. This is especially noticeable when singing nasal consonants like “m” and “n,” where the soft palate is fully lowered, allowing air to flow freely through the nose. However, if too much nasal resonance occurs, the result can be an overly nasal sound that lacks clarity and depth—a common challenge for many singers.
Achieving the right balance of resonance is key to producing a clear, vibrant tone. The shape and size of your vocal tract—including the mouth, throat, and nasal cavity—affect how sound waves are modified and which frequencies are emphasized. Sympathetic resonance, a phenomenon where parts of the body vibrate in response to sound, further enriches the voice, especially in the higher vocal registers. When the body’s resonators, such as the bones in the face and skull, vibrate in harmony with the sound, the result is a fuller, more expressive voice.
Singers must learn to control not only the vocal cords but also the airflow and the position of the soft palate and tongue to manage how much resonance is produced in each part of the vocal tract. This control allows for a wide range of vocal colors, from a deep, rich tone to a bright, ringing sound. Exercises that focus on airflow, resonance, and the articulation of vowels and consonants can help reduce unwanted nasality and improve overall sound quality.
The larynx, sitting at the top of the trachea, is another crucial player in vocal production. It not only houses the vocal cords but also helps regulate pitch and volume, allowing singers to navigate different vocal registers and produce both low and high notes with ease. The interplay between the larynx, vocal folds, and resonators like the nasal cavity is what gives each singer their unique sound.
Understanding the anatomy of the vocal system empowers singers to make informed choices about technique and style. By learning how to balance resonance across the various cavities and passages, singers can achieve greater clarity, projection, and expressiveness in their performance. Whether you’re working on reducing nasality, increasing volume, or simply exploring the full range of your voice, a solid grasp of vocal anatomy is an essential foundation for any singer.
At VoiceLessons.com, our expert teachers help students of all levels master these techniques, using innovative online tools to provide personalized feedback and support. With the right guidance and a deeper understanding of your own vocal system, you can unlock the full potential of your voice—no matter where you are on your singing journey.
