The pharynx (technically known as the "nasopharynx") is more commonly referred to as the "frontal mask." It consists of those resonant chambers of your face, behind your nose and above your mouth,whichcan particularly help you to produce the higher notes of your range. While some singers assume, therefore, that the pharynx is strictly related to the head voice, it may actually be used with either the head or the chest voice. In fact, learning to use the pharynx effectively from the chest voice can be a huge aid to achieving a smooth blend between chest and head voice, which is a big goal for many of my singing students.

If you aren't quite sure you know just what the pharynx is, try making what I call the "rodeo sound." That is, holler out loud a good, "Yeeee haw!" When you do, feel for that ringing timbre in your voice. It's the spaces of the pharynx inflating that give you that unmistakable ring.

One major benefit of using the pharynx properly is how completely you can remove excess nasality from your voice. As a result, you'll remove dullness from your singing and might just discover beautiful coloring and vividness underneath. As an exercise, try singing a phrase from a favorite song. Do so normally, and then repeat the phrase while using your fingertips to pinch your nostrils shut. Do you notice any difference in the sound? If you do hear a difference, it probably means you're producing too much nasality when you sing.Nasality happens when too much air is passing through your nostrils. The good news is that often you can use very simple techniques to reverse this nasal tendency. For starters, check if you're leaving plenty of space between your teeth when you sing. If you're unsure, cut a small chunk of carrot and hold it in between your teeth. Sing a few phrases with your mouth propped open. As you get the hang of using your pharynx more effectively, repeat the nasality test" from time to time so you can check on your progress. Visit JDS Voice [http://www.jdsvoice.com/sign-up] for information and videos about the pharynx and overall vocal technique.

Using your pharynx well can also help you to improve your air control. As I call it, you'll move from "Big Air" to "Little Air". Less air is lost, rushing through your nasal passages, and you'll gradually manage longer and stronger passages between breaths. You may also be surprised how much more easily you can achieve a range in volume with relatively little air. Just like the inside of a guitar, the hollow spaces of the pharynx serve to amplify sound. When used well, the pharynx can triple, quadruple or even quintuple your volume!

Another benefit of learning to utilize your larynx is that it frees you up from relying on the "outer muscles" (your tongue, jaw and neck) to try and "push up" for those higher notes. As you find out how to use the smaller, subtler muscles more effectively, you'll start to feel a pleasant lifting sensation instead of the anxiety-fraught pushing. Plus, you'll usually find you require far less air to produce longer, more effortless phrases.

It may sound exotic, but you don't need to earn a degree in music theory or physiology to understand how the pharynx works - and how yours is either helping, or standing in the way of you finding your true voice. If you'd like to learn more about the pharynx and how it can complement a singer's other four "systems," check out my free videos, articles, and other materials at jdsvoice.com. Plus, you're very welcome drop me a linefor more personalized feedback. For anyone interested in an online singing lesson, free introductory sessions may be arranged either with myself or one of the JDS School of Voice instructors.