3 Ways to Hum
Introduction:
Humming is often considered a simple, effortless reflex of vocal expression. However, little do people know that there are different techniques one can use to hum effectively and accurately. Delve deeper into the world of humming by exploring three distinct methods that can elevate your everyday humming experience.
1. Lip Humming:
Quite possibly the most familiar style of humming, lip humming is a technique in which you gently press your lips together and create vibrations in your throat. By adjusting the air pressure between your lips, you’re able to vary the pitch and tone of your hum.
To master lip humming, follow these steps:
– Shut your lips tightly but comfortably.
– Breathe in through your nose.
– Use your diaphragm to exhale while producing a deep melodic sound!
– Experiment with different pitches by adjusting your tongue position within your mouth.
2. Nasal Humming:
An alternative to lip humming, nasal humming primarily focuses on utilizing nasal passages for creating beautiful soundscapes. This method produces a softer, more muted tone compared to its lip counterpart.
Here’s how you can practice nasal humming:
– Inhale deeply through your nose.
– Position the tip of your tongue behind your upper front teeth.
– Gently exhale while resonating vibrations through the roof of your mouth and into the nasal cavity.
– Play with pitch changes by controlling airflow from your diaphragm and adjusting tongue placement.
3. Throat Humming:
A less common technique, throat humming involves controlled narrowing and relaxation of the throat muscles to manipulate pitch and resonance. The result can be a rich, deep hum that penetrates throughout the rest of your body
– think of traditional Tuvan throat singing!
To master throat humming, try these steps:
– Sit or stand comfortably with relaxed posture.
– Breathe in deeply through your nose.
– As you exhale, gently constrict your throat muscles until you feel a vibration.
– Practice altering pitch by modifying the constriction of your throat muscles.
Conclusion:
Humming is a versatile and enjoyable form of vocal expression. By expanding and experimenting with the three techniques mentioned above – lip, nasal, and throat humming – you can take your casual hums to new levels! Practice regularly, and soon enough, you’ll find you can hum with finesse in a variety of situations. Happy humming!