Week 10 resource

Vocal Function Exercises (VFEs)

• 4 exercises that improve laryngeal engagement for hyper- and hypofunctional voice disorders

• A set of breathing techniques for singers

• A method for vocal warm-ups before performances

• A series of exercises to increase vocal range

Expiratory muscle strength training devices

• Require a specified level of expiratory pressure to open a spring-loaded valve, allowing resistance to increase

• Are designed to enhance inspiratory muscle strength only

• Do not require any pressure to function effectively

• Are primarily used for aerobic exercise training

Is there a "best" voice therapy technique for a specific voice disorder?

• YES - there is a universally accepted technique for all disorders.

• NO - it is based on stimulability. What improves the patient's vocal quality and function?

• YES - the best technique is determined by the patient's age.

• NO - it depends solely on the type of voice disorder.

Semi-occluded vocal tract exercises

• Target vocal fold adduction and register by narrowing epilaryngeal tube for best acoustic power transfer and vocal efficiency

• Enhance vocal range by increasing airflow through the vocal folds

• Improve pitch accuracy by using a wider vocal tract

• Strengthen the diaphragm for better breath control

What intervention pattern does voice therapy focus on?

• Elicit, shape, stabilize, habituate

• Assess, diagnose, treat, monitor

• Observe, record, analyze, report

• Plan, implement, evaluate, adjust

Vocal function exercise #1

• Warm up exercise

• Cool down exercise

• Breathing exercise

• Vocal range exercise

Step 4 of Stretch & Flow

• Voiced articulation of numbers 1-10, one word per breath, stretch out the vowels

• Silent counting from 1 to 10 with closed lips

• Reciting the alphabet in a rhythmic pattern

• Stretching while humming a tune

Step 3 of Stretch & Flow

• Steady stream of voiced airflow with rounded lips

• Rapid bursts of unvoiced airflow

• Irregular patterns of breath control

• Short, sharp intakes of breath

Chewing

• A vocal technique involving increased oral movements to promote forward-focused oral resonance during phonation

• A method of articulation that emphasizes the use of the tongue

• A breathing technique used to enhance vocal projection

• A style of singing that focuses on rapid vocal runs

Benefits of semi-occluded vocal tract exercises (SOVT)

• Engage the vocal subsystems

• Increase vocal fatigue

• Decrease vocal range

• Increase intraoral pressure (alleviating pressure in the glottis)