Read more to learn about the good, the bad and the ugly vocal onsets…

What you will feel for the following exercises is the lifting of the soft palate, the strengthening of the hard palate and the creation of a lot of space in the head and back of your mouth. You may also feel the cheekbones lift. By anchoring the face, you create a larger space to resonate the sound in and make it easier for you to get the words out. The muscles of the lower-face are lightened by not having heavy cheeks weighing them down.

Do these stretches for at least 20 seconds each and keep breathing normally throughout.

Constriction – tight throat (lifting heavy object or constipation), Relaxed throat (“I’ve had a hard day”) – tired, exhausted, Giggle – fell muscles move ‘down and out’.

Twang is the most piercing part of a cat’s meow where the ‘e’ and ‘o’ vowels fuse together. Sit on this point for as long as you can. It will sound like a cross cut saw but feel effortless.