1. Phonation Faults Dr. Chuck Neufeld Lander University Dr. Chuck Neufeld Lander University

2. Phonation Faults Hypofunctional (Breathy) Phonation Forced Breathiness Hyperfunctional Phonation

3. Phonation Faults Hypofunctional (Breathy) Phonation Failure to demand enough appropriate activity from the vocal mechanism Primary cause is inadequate or incomplete closure of the glottis Primary evidence is breathy sound Wasted air is wasted tone Can also lead to lack of breath control

4. Phonation Faults 7 Causes of Hypofunctional Phonation 1. Poor Posture 2. Shallow Breathing 3. Lack of Suspension Phase in Breathing Cycle 4. Singing Too Softly 5. Wrong Vocal Models (e.g., Pop Singers) 6. Failure to Recognize Good Vocal Quality 7. Lack of Involvement in the Music

5. Correcting Phonation Faults 12 Corrective Procedures for Hypofunctional Phonation (Must use indirect means) 1. Buzzy Hum 2. Gentle Lifting 3. Ask Student to Sing Louder 4. Imitate an Opera Singer 5. Establish Good Posture and Breathing 6. Activate Proper Breath Support

6. Correcting Phonation Faults 12 Corrective Procedures for Hypofunctional Phonation (Must use indirect means) 7. Sing to the Last Row of a Big Hall 8. Get Student Involved in Literature  Use Accessible Music  Memorize the Music  Recite Text Expressively  Suggest Emotional Interpretation 9. Listen to New Tonal Models

7. Correcting Phonation Faults 12 Corrective Procedures for Hypofunctional Phonation 10. Use Forward Vowels [i] (ee), [I] (ih), and [ei] (ay) 11. Use nasal consonants [m, n, ng] 12. Ask Student to Make a Tight Sound (last resort)

8. Phonation Faults Hypofunctional (Breathy) Phonation Forced Breathiness Hyperfunctional Phonation

9. Correcting Phonation Faults Corrective Procedures for Forced Breathiness  Correct Hyperfunctional Breath Support First  Correct Hypofunctional Phonation After Breath Support is Corrected  Avoid Methods that Encourage Return to Oversupport

10. Phonation Faults Hypofunctional (Breathy) Phonation Forced Breathiness Hyperfunctional Phonation

11. Phonation Faults Hyperfunctional Phonation  Demanding Too Much from the Laryngeal Mechanism  Primary Cause is Excessive Tension in Vocal Cords Themselves (ITA’s, ETA’s)  Often Aided by Excessive Tension in Other Intrinsic or Extrinsic Laryngeal Muscles  Can Be Accompanied by Hyperfunctional Breath Support (harch, strident, rough, constricted sounds)

12. Phonation Faults Hyperfunctional Phonation Can Lead to Serious, Long-Term Vocal Problems 3 Symptoms Hoarseness Loss of Range After Singing a Few Minutes Limited or Absent Vibrato

13. Phonation Faults 10 Contributing Factors to Hyperfunctional Phonation 1. Wrong Voice Classification (esp. too high) 2. Speaking Above or Below Optimum Pitch 3. Singing/Speaking in Noisy Environment 4. Habitually Singing/Speaking Too Loudly (Excessive Force) 5. Screaming, Shouting, Yelling

14. Phonation Faults 10 Contributing Factors to Hyperfunctional Phonation 6. Wrong Breath Support Concept 7. Incorrect Breathing Techniques 8. Postural Tension/Rigidity 9. Wrong Vocal Models 10. Tension from Personality Problems-- Feelings of Fear, Inferiority, Insecurity, Embarassement, etc.

15. Correcting Phonation Faults 10 Corrective Procedures for Hyperfunctional Phonation 1. Eliminate Excess Body Tension 2. Make Studio Atmosphere Conducive to Relaxation and Self-Confidence 3. Establish Good Posture/Breathing 4. Reduce Excessive Support Tension 5. Maintain Yawn Position

16. Correcting Phonation Faults 10 Corrective Procedures for Hyperfunctional Phonation 6. Balance/Soften Attacks (exercises) 7. Set New Tonal Goals 8. Use Back/Rounded Vowels: [u,o] (ooh, oh) 9. Use Consonants That Free Jaw [y, m] 10. Deliberately Use Breathy Tone

17. Phonation Faults Dr. Chuck Neufeld Lander University Dr. Chuck Neufeld Lander University