Why Does My Singing Sound Nasally?

Categories: Singing Lessons

The nasal sound in singing occurs when too much sound is resonating in the nasal cavity. This can occur from a variety of causes but singing nasally isn’t all good or bad. The goal of the contemporary singer is to balance nasal tones with resonance to get the best balance possible based on the singing style and what the vocalist desires. The problems come when the vocalist is unable to reduce heavy nasal tones that can reduce the amount of enjoyment the vocalist has in singing. If you, or someone you know, says ‘your singing sounds nasally’, then it’s time to work on reducing it to more pleasing levels.

To reduce nasal qualities in your singing, you can try the following techniques:

Awareness and identification: The first step to reducing nasal qualities is identifying when you sound nasal. Record yourself singing and listen carefully to identify when your voice sounds more nasal than you would like.
Nose Pinch Test: Try singing a note and then pinch your nostrils closed. If the sound changes significantly, you may be singing with too much nasal resonance.
Proper Breathing: Start by learning the technique of diaphragmatic breathing. This technique helps to support your voice, providing control over your vocal production.
Open Your Mouth: One of the simplest ways to decrease nasality is to open your mouth wider when singing. This will naturally force the air more out of your mouth rather than through your nasal passages.
Tongue Position: Keep your tongue relaxed and lying flat in your mouth. If the back of your tongue is lifted, it might block the sound from reaching your oral cavity, which can increase nasality.
Nasal Consonants: Nasal consonants, such as m, n, and ng, can easily trigger a nasal quality in your singing. Practice singing these sounds while focusing on keeping the soft palate lifted and the sound in the oral cavity.
Soft Palate Exercises: The soft palate is the soft part at the back of the roof of the mouth. If it is lowered, air will escape through your nose, leading to a nasal sound. So, exercises to lift the soft palate can help. Try yawning to get a feel for a lifted soft palate, then attempt to recreate that sensation while singing. The soft palate, the soft part at the back of your roof of your mouth, controls airflow into the nasal cavity. When it’s raised, it can help reduce nasal resonance. You can practice raising it by yawning, as this naturally raises the soft palate.
Resonance: Practice exercises that improve your resonance. Singing in front of a mirror can help you see the physical changes in your face that happen when you’re producing a more resonant sound.
Proper Breath Support: Good breath support is crucial for any type of singing. It can help you have better control over your voice, including controlling the amount of nasal resonance.
Vowel Modifications: Practice singing vowels like ‘ah’, ‘oh’, ‘ee’, ‘oo’, and ‘uh’ with proper breath support and lifted soft palate. This can help in reducing nasal sound in your singing.
Exercises and Warm-ups: Do regular vocal warm ups and exercises focusing on opening up your throat, controlling your soft palate, and proper breath support. This can include lip trills, tongue trills, or humming exercises.

Remember that some amount of nasal resonance is not a bad thing. In fact, it can add to the richness of the voice and is a necessary part of singing certain styles or vowels. The goal should be a balanced resonance that uses all parts of your vocal tract effectively.

Nasality in singing can be a style choice or a technique in certain music genres. However, if it becomes a habit that inhibits the overall quality of your voice, there are several techniques (listed above) that you can use to reduce nasal qualities:

Remember that consistent practice is key, as changing vocal habits often takes time. If you’re not seeing improvement or if you’re experiencing vocal discomfort, it could be useful to consult with a speech-language pathologist or a voice singing specialist.

You may also benefit from professional voice coaching. At Peak Music, we offer the best singing lessons and instructions in the Capital District. Contact us now to schedule a free voice consultation to see how we can help you reach your singing goals!