What is Open Throat Singing?

"Open throat singing" is a fundamental concept in vocal technique, often considered essential for healthy and resonant singing across many genres, but like "singing in the mask," it refers more to a sensation and a result of proper vocal tract shaping and relaxation rather than a literal wide-open throat.

What is "Open Throat Singing"?

It's the sensation of space and freedom in the back of your mouth and pharynx (the area behind your tongue and above your larynx) during singing. It involves a coordinated posture of several structures:

• Raised Soft Palate: The soft part at the back of the roof of your mouth lifts, similar to the beginning of a yawn or when you prepare to sneeze. This opens the passage into the nasal cavity for resonance, but primarily creates more vertical space in the oral pharynx.

• Lowered/Neutral Larynx: The larynx (voice box, where your vocal cords are) descends slightly or remains in a relaxed, neutral position. This creates more space above the vocal folds and lengthens the vocal tract, contributing to a warmer, richer tone.

• Relaxed Tongue: The tongue, particularly the back of the tongue (tongue root), is relaxed and relatively flat, not bunched up or pulling back. A tense tongue can constrict the throat.

• Relaxed Jaw: A relaxed jaw allows the mouth to open freely and prevents tension from transferring to the throat.

The overall feeling is often described as the initial feeling of a yawn (without completing the full yawn, which can lead to excessive lowering of the larynx and a "swallowed" sound), or as if you're holding a "hot potato" or a "bubble" in the back of your throat.

Why is it Beneficial?

When achieved correctly, an "open throat" offers numerous benefits:

1. Increased Resonance and Richness:

   • By creating a larger, less constricted space in the vocal tract, the sound waves can resonate more fully and freely. This amplifies the overtones, leading to a richer, fuller, and more resonant tone.

   • It contributes to a "round" and "warm" sound quality, often desired in many vocal styles.¹

     
     

2. Improved Vocal Freedom and Ease:

   • The primary benefit is the reduction of tension and constriction in the throat. When the throat is "open," the muscles involved in phonation (vocal cord vibration) can work more efficiently without fighting against unnecessary squeezing or tightening.

   • This leads to a feeling of effortlessness in singing, even on high or loud notes, preventing vocal fatigue and strain.

3. Better Breath Management and Airflow:

   • An open vocal tract allows for a smoother, less obstructed flow of air to and from the vocal cords. This facilitates more efficient breath management and sustained phrases.

4. Enhanced Vocal Health and Longevity:

   • By minimizing constriction and strain, "open throat" singing is crucial for vocal health. It protects the vocal cords from excessive wear and tear, allowing singers to perform for longer periods and maintain their vocal abilities over many years.

5. Smoother Register Transitions:

   • It helps to blend the vocal registers (chest voice, head voice, mixed voice) more seamlessly, reducing "breaks" or "flips" in the voice. The consistent open space allows the vocal folds to adjust smoothly without sudden changes in resonance.

6. Better Intonation and Clarity:

   • A stable, open vocal tract provides a consistent acoustical environment, which contributes to better pitch accuracy and clearer articulation of vowels.

Is it Beneficial for Any Genre or Style of Singing?

This is where the nuances become important:

• Classical/Opera: Absolutely essential. An "open throat" is a cornerstone of classical and operatic technique. The large, resonant, and often dark and powerful sound characteristic of opera relies heavily on a lifted soft palate and a lowered larynx to maximize resonance and projection over an orchestra without amplification.

• Musical Theater (Traditional/Legit): Generally yes. Many musical theater styles, especially those with classical roots or requiring a "legit" sound, benefit greatly from an open throat for resonance, projection, and vocal health, particularly when belting.

• Jazz, R&B, Soul, Pop (Contemporary Commercial Music - CCM): This is where it gets a bit more complex and debated.

  • The principle of freedom and lack of constriction is universal and always beneficial. No genre benefits from a tight, squeezed throat.

  • However, the degree of "openness" (specifically, how much the soft palate is lifted or the larynx is lowered) can vary significantly depending on the desired stylistic sound.

  • Some contemporary styles might intentionally use a slightly higher larynx or a less dramatically lifted soft palate to achieve a brighter, more speech-like, "edgier," or sometimes even nasal quality that is characteristic of the genre (e.g., certain pop or R&B sounds).

  • Pushing for an extremely "classical open throat" in some pop or rock styles might sound out of place or "too operatic" for the genre.

  • Modern vocal pedagogy for CCM often focuses on concepts like "mix," "belt," and "twang," which prioritize vocal efficiency and freedom while allowing for a wider range of vocal tract configurations to achieve specific stylistic timbres. The underlying goal is still tension release and efficient sound production, which an "open throat" in a broader sense facilitates.²

    
    

In summary:

"Open throat singing" fundamentally means singing without unnecessary tension and constriction in the pharyngeal area, allowing for optimal resonance and vocal freedom. While the degree of "openness" and the resulting vocal timbre can be adjusted for stylistic reasons, the core principle of a relaxed, uninhibited vocal tract is beneficial for vocal health, sustainability, and quality across virtually all singing genres. The aim is always to allow the voice to function naturally and efficiently, rather than forcing or manipulating it in a way that causes strain.