Page 23 - November 2020 Voices

before we start to to glottal onsets when you open a phrase with a
speak or sing. If
the vocal folds are
together and
vibrating
too early
(because of stress, improper breathing,
abdominal clenching) and we start to speak,
the air forces them apart . . . and you get the
gravelly kind of sound you’ll hear in this Adele
video. It also causes mucus on the vocal folds,
and clearing your throat leads to more of that.
You really don’t want that.
One last thing to keep in mind: You’re prone
vowel sound as opposed to a consonant.
Now you’re ready. Listen to the Adele video
from the 2011 Brit Awards. Listen particularly
to the stanza “I heard that you settled down,
that you found a girl, that you’re married now.
I heard that your dreams came true . . .”
The first onset is aspirated. The second is
glottal. Can you hear the gravelly sound?
That gravelly sound is very popular in radio
music these days. But it’s not healthy for your
voice.
You don’t want vocal polyps or vocal surgery.
Avoid the glottal onset. Breathe deeply as you
speak. Speak with passion, with healthy vocal
technique! Your throat will thank you, and so
will your audience.
Laura Handke is an inspirational and energetic
Transformational Voice® teacher, facilitator, writer
and speaker committed to helping people free their
voices. Laura received her Bachelor of Arts Degree
in Sociology from South Dakota State University.
She helps clients (in presentations, workshops, and
private lessons) unleash and hone their authentic voice
and speaking message, with heart. She is the author,
most recently, of How Abella Found Her Voice, a
35-page eBook fable complete with instructional vocal
technique videos. You can learn more about Laura at
her website laurahandke.com
VOICES! | NOVEMBER 2020 23