Vertical laryngeal position: Research findings and application for singers

Summary Research on vertical laryngeal position (VLP) is sparse, but shows that singers with classic vocal training maintain a VLP at or below a resting level. Untrained singers typically position their larynx higher as pitch increases, usually to a level well above the rest position. It has been shown that the larynx moves vertically by muscular forces and not by aerodynamic pressures. It appears that maintaining a low VLP during singing results in (1) facilitating a vocal fold vibratory pattern that produces substantial energy in the higher portion of the spectrum, (2) opening of supraglottal resonators, (3) easing of register transitions, and (4) reducing the magnitude of vocal fold closure forces.