Details on Breathing

The essential prerequisite for accessing your voice is deep, healthy breathing in a posture that is sufficiently relaxed so that the body is available for vibration resonance.

This means inhaling deeply into the intercostal region, first at the diaphragm level up to the clavicular region, then actively supporting the natural movement of the diaphragm with the abdominal belt (internal obliques and intercostal muscles) as it rises progressively while the air is exhaled.

This forms the basis of vocal support. It must be carried out consistently, with specific peaks chosen according to moments of intensity in the speech.

Details on Voice Production

There are four laryngeal mechanisms:

M0 or Fry, which is equivalent to the “skid point” in a car. The vocal cords come together with a very brief glottal opening duration.

This mechanism allows the voice to warm up gradually and connect to its lowest frequencies.

M1 or Chest Voice

This is the natural speaking register for men and the low register for women, with the greatest vibratory mass.

Laryngeal Mechanisms

M2 or Head Voice. This is the falsetto register for men and the head resonance register for women.

M3 or Whistle Voice, which allows access to the uppermost pitches.

Mastery of these laryngeal mechanisms is an essential prerequisite to perceive the different ways the vocal cords come together.

It also provides access, with proper physical engagement, to the expressive registers of the voice (authority with M1, passion with a mixture of M1 and M2, etc.).

Breathing and Stress

Beyond its invaluable role in voice placement, breath management also enables cardiac coherence.

In a panic situation, heart rate and cortisol levels increase.

By breathing deeply and calmly, the dopaminergic pathway rebalances, increasing dopamine and endorphin levels, thereby regulating heart rate and promoting well-being.

Voice Resonance

Here are some examples of voice resonance cavities, in order of importance:

• chest
• head
• hard palate
• soft palate
• pharynx

All these resonance cavities are interdependent, including the tongue, the soft palate, the glottis and epiglottic sphincter, the pillars, and the nasopharynx.

All of this is also conditioned by the intake of air, which determines the manner of speech.

Understanding and mastering all these cavities allows access to optimal voice resonance, thereby reducing both physical fatigue and vocal cord strain.