I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles!

No, I’m not referencing West Ham United!

Nor am I steering your attention to the great Vera Lyn…. I’m forever blowing bubbles with a straw into water!

Whats the big deal about straws?

Voice users, Speech Therapists and singers alike have been using straws for many years. It is what we call a SOVT exercise that is used for warm ups, cool downs and rehabilitation.. The later is where I think using a straw in water in particular, comes into its own.

SOVT stands for ⭐️Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract ⭐️ which is essentially a partial closer above the vocal folds (or cords). This is used most commonly used without a tool in warm ups using a fricative (holding of a consonance, for example, a VVVVV or ZZZZ sound) or a lip Roll.

When we create the ‘occlusion’ we are encouraging energy to go back down the vocal tract creating a cushioning affect elevating the pressure underneath the vocal folds (subglottle pressure).

When we use a straw in water it gives a similar sensation to the lip roll but AMPED UP and with out co-ordination needed to produce the sound itself. The BUBBLES cause a wave like sensation which is like a massage to the whole vocal mechanism. It is VERY therapeutic.

I think that water bubble phonation comes into its own when used in recovery, or returning to sing after injury or a long time off. It is also so good when you are on ‘vocal rest’ to use to keep the system gently active. ust the air moving it is just so nourishing 😍

Which One Shall I Use?

You can use any straw really, ideally a reusable one. With water phonation we want to consider length and diameter, which attributes to the weight or pressure we are creating. For me, I love a wider straw with water phonation as it seems to give a bigger wave massage benefit. The longer straw adds to the velocity of the air flow. When I started, a wonderful Speech and Language therapist advised me to get beer brewing pipe! It was the perfect diameter and you can cut it to the required length.

I do however, love using Specialised Vocal Straws. They are designed by vocal coaches and voice experts who are pationate and engaged with the singers of today…. There are many on the market that are made specifically for use with water. Made from durable materials that are durable and specifically designed to give the best outcomes. Here are my favourites:

How Best Do I Use My Straw in Water?

Keep it clean
I would clean my straw before every use, and I would periodically sterilise.
Start small
I’ve made the mistake of way overfilling my bottle, it will get messy and the pressure will be too high. Start with 1-2 cm of the straw into the a small amount of water (depending on the bottle / cup you are using) and work up to your desired resistance (10cm is the maximum depth recommended)
Use to warm up / cool down / rehabilitate
Start slow, just blow into the water without sound, some longer breaths and shorter bursts. When ready, start with some simple slides that might sound like engine revs. Explore by shifting up or down your range. I find simple arpeggio patterns are really useful. When you are more confident, try some depending patterns that go over those breaks and kinks in our range, it will help build strength and muscle memory.
Get the wobble
When using the water bubbling I like to keep the cheeks really loose. You will see that this encourages a wobble to appear! Whilst it is just preferable and not essential, I think it both encourages us to not ‘hold’ or tense the jaw whilst also adding to the back pressure we are producing. Win win IMO.
Watch
The aim is to keep the bubbles consistent in size and speed. Gaining control of the air flow and pressure whilst the bubbles give you a beautiful vocal massage.
⭐️Watching the bubbles, is also a really proactive act of mindfulness for the singer. I think one of THE BEST uses of bubble straw phonation is how useful is as a tool for performance anxiety. The act of phonation and visually concentrating on the bubbles brings us into the moment and bringing the stress hormones down.⭐️

I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles!

Whats the big deal about straws?

Which One Shall I Use?

How Best Do I Use My Straw in Water?

Keep it clean

I would clean my straw before every use, and I would periodically sterilise.

Start small

I’ve made the mistake of way overfilling my bottle, it will get messy and the pressure will be too high. Start with 1-2 cm of the straw into the a small amount of water (depending on the bottle / cup you are using) and work up to your desired resistance (10cm is the maximum depth recommended)

Use to warm up / cool down / rehabilitate

Get the wobble

Watch

The aim is to keep the bubbles consistent in size and speed. Gaining control of the air flow and pressure whilst the bubbles give you a beautiful vocal massage.