Voice Portfolio:Vocal Chords/Organs

Vocal Chords/ Organs

The Larynx and vocal folds are known as Vocal Cords.

The Larynx is in the voice box which houses the vocal cords. The Larynx contains the vocal folds; which are situated below the Pharynx which is at the back of the throat. The overall purpose of the Larynx is swallowing, breathing and voice production. The vocal chords are two bands which are situated at the base of the larynx. When air is exhaled they vibrate allowing us to make different sounds. There is such thing as false vocal chords which do not produce sounds but they exist, as they move during swallowing to close the larynx. (Baggaley,2001,16)

You can feel your Larynx when you touch the front of your throat. The Adams apple (mostly in men) is the center of the Larynx. The Larynx is made up of mostly muscle and cartilage. The Larynx acts as protection for the vocal cords

The Pharynx is at the back of the throat, where the Epiglottis separates.

Keeping your voice healthy will also help you to use your vocal chords correctly whilst on stage. Rest the voice before performances as well as warming it up just before. This helps you to have deliver lines clearly and loudly without straining your voice. Warm drinks, as you would expect, help to warm up your voice as does honey and lemon if you feel your throat is becoming sore. 
The vocal chords and organs are the main key of speaking so looking after them is important. 

Vocal nodules can seriously affect your voice if you don't look after it correctly. Vocal nodules:  "mass of tissue that grows on the vocal folds (vocal cords)." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocal_fold_nodule The tissue rubs away at your vocal folds leading to pains in the throat and even loss of voice. 

To help keep my voice healthy I know that I need to cut down on dairy products as these can damage your voice. Cutting down on the dairy products will mean I will have a clearer voice production and it will also improve my projection. 

Vocal Folds

The vocal folds adjust the pitch and tone of the voice by changing the position and adding tension to the muscles. The voice production occurs because of vibration.

The folds are situated in the Larynx.

The folds open when breathing in and out, and are closed when holding your breath when swallowing etc.

When voice is being produced, the folds stretch like an elastic band, but then return to the original position. This tension of moving creates the different pitch and tones. A flap of cartilage known as the Epiglottis closes the airway during swallowing to prevent food entering the lungs. Sound is produced in the larynx as air passes over the vocal chords. (Baggaley,2001,16)

In the image on the right, you can see my brief drawing of the Vocal organs/chords. In the image you can see the Trachea which runs through to your lungs, the vocal folds that sit either of the Trachea. 

Male and females have different structured vocal folds. Males, with deeper voices, have thicker folds. Females have thinner folds as they usually have higher pitched voices. Children have the shortest vocal folds of all.

The deeper your voice is, the more your vocal chords vibrate and the higher your vocal tone the less vibration happens.

The first picture represents a high pitch sound being released as the folds are closer together, the second picture representing someone producing a deep sound as the vocal folds are further apart. The opening of the folds only depends on the pitch and tone of the voice escaping the throat.