How to Sing with a Neutral Larynx

Keeping your larynx neutral when singing is one of the most important things you can do. For most people, the resting position of the larynx is its neutral position. To find your larynx, simply follow these steps: put your finger just under your chin, slide down until you feel the heart shaped protrusion. This is your larynx, also known as your “voice box.” The larynx houses your vocal chords/vocal folds. Unfortunately, as many of us attempt to sing higher, our larynx rises because it falsely gives the “feeling” that in order to ascend the scale, we must reach higher with our neck, chin and larynx. When your larynx rises, it constricts the vocal cords and cuts off a lot of resonance space for your sound.

I would say that a rising larynx is the most common cause of tension when people try to sing high notes. For most people, the resting position of the larynx is its neutral position. The position of the larynx can either make or break the singer. As you yawn, feel as your larynx drops to its lowest position in the throat. This is the most relaxed position for the larynx and provides a lot of freedom for your vocal cords.

There are excellent exercises that help keep your larynx neutral. Be sure to place your finger on top of your Adam’s apple when doing these exercises in order to monitor your larynx position. If your larynx continually stays high, you’ll feel strained and constricted, so it is important to perform exercises that will keep your larynx low.

Keeping your larynx neutral does require training so, try running through scales doing exercises like "buh buh buh" or "guh guh guh" or "mum mum mum" or "gug gug gug". With time and training, you will be able to keep your larynx in a neutral position. Because the inner muscles of the larynx and throat are designed to regulate things such as air flow and cord closure, training these muscles will inevitably "teach" you how to sing more easily and freely.


Learning to keep your larynx in a low or neutral position is vital in reaching your singing potential. This is one of the keys to expanded range, tonal quality and even correct pitch. The best singing method that I’ve discovered is Brett Manning’s Singing Success. Discover your singing potential by clicking here: http://www.ronnvocalronn.homestead.com