Master Open Throat Singing:Techniques for Reducing Throat Tension and Singing with Freedom
Share
Learning to sing with an open throat is one of the best ways for beginners to improve their singing voice, reduce throat tension, and sing with ease. This guide covers key techniques to help you open your throat, sing with more freedom, and create a beautiful, resonant sound.
1. Master the "Dopey" Sound to Sing with an Open Throat
To achieve an open throat, beginners can start with what’s known as the "dopey" sound. This sound is similar to Goofy, the cartoon character, and is ideal for vocal exercises. Making this sound creates space in the back of your throat, helping you understand the open throat sensation. Visualize a sock or tennis ball at the back of your throat to maintain this space while you sing. Practicing this consistently can improve your open throat singing technique and reduce throat tension.
2. Keep Your Tongue Relaxed and Forward for Better Vocal Tone
A relaxed tongue is crucial for beginner singers learning to sing with freedom and ease. Rest the tip of your tongue against the lower inside of your front teeth. This position prevents the tongue from retracting and taking up space, which can cause throat tension, especially when singing higher notes. By keeping the tongue relaxed and forward, you create more room in your throat, making it easier to sing with an open throat.
3. Develop Even Breath Flow for Open Throat Singing
Good breath control is essential for beginners who want to sing without throat tension. Focus on breathing low into your belly and maintaining a slow, controlled exhale. Support the breath using your ribs and lower abs. This even, controlled airflow reduces strain on your throat and helps sustain an open throat position. Practicing breath control exercises from sources like the Creator's Arena singing course or YouTube can help beginners sing with freedom and avoid common breath-related tension.
4. Improve Posture to Sing with Freedom and Ease
For effective open throat singing, posture is key. Beginners should practice standing with their chest lifted slightly, back straight, shoulders relaxed, and chin level with the ground. Imagine a string pulling you upward from the top of your head, maintaining alignment without feeling tense. Proper posture supports vocal freedom, reduces throat tension, and helps you sing with ease.
5. Practice Soft Palate Lifting Exercises for an Open Throat Sound
Raising your soft palate is essential to create an open, resonant tone. Start by mimicking the beginning of a yawn—this lifts the soft palate and creates more space in your throat. Practicing this "yawn feel" at least 5-10 times daily helps beginners get used to singing with an open throat. Try inhaling with the yawn feeling, then exhale on an "ah" sound, allowing yourself to feel that freedom. You can also practice an "ah" siren, starting from a high note and descending to build familiarity with the open throat sensation.
6. Use Low Larynx Exercises to Reduce Throat Tension and Sing with Ease
A slightly lowered larynx position helps prevent throat tension and supports open throat singing. For beginners, practicing low larynx exercises can be incredibly helpful. The same "dopey" sound that creates a yawn-like feeling will help lower your larynx. Practice making a “mum” sound on a vocal scale, keeping the larynx low throughout, which helps you maintain a relaxed throat and sing with freedom.
The Key to Singing with an Open Throat is Consistency
Consistently practicing these techniques can help beginners learn to sing with an open throat, remove throat tension, and achieve vocal freedom. By following these steps daily, you’ll build a habit of open throat singing, allowing your voice to resonate beautifully and project with ease.
Sign up below for my free guide on how to sing, play, guitar, and write songs with 15 minutes of your time a day and also get free guided affirmation journal made specifically for singers/musicians.
https://mailchi.mp/creators-
Jay Koostix,
Singer Songwriter
Founder of The Creator's Arena
