Retracting the false vocal folds
Source: https://www.themodernvocalistworld.com/articles.html/article/how-to-avoid-vocal-fold-trauma-2-releasing-the-true-vocal-folds-r547/
1. Get to know what Constriction of the False Vocal Folds feels like. Constriction of the FVFs is when the FVFs are squeezing inward. When we are breathing quietly our FVFs are at rest. In Estill terms this condition would be Mid. When we wheeze they are squeezed inward (Constricted). Alternate between breathing quietly and wheezing. Where do you feel the movement in your larynx when you are wheezing? Can you feel it release when you go back to breathing quietly? Now, try it with sound by beginning with breathing quietly then adding tone (without changing anything else in your larynx). Then, wheeze and keep the wheezing feeling while you add tone. This may feel quite uncomfortable*. Don't do it too much or with too much force but just enough to feel and know what it's like to Constrict the FVFs and release the Constriction to Mid.
2. Learn to do the opposite: Retract The False Vocal Folds! The FVFss move out of the way of the true vocal folds when we are about to laugh and cry and when we are breathing absolutely silently (you can stick your fingers in your ears and when the false vocal folds are pulled out of the way you won't hear anything!). This is FVF Retraction. Keep the feeling in your larynx while breathing silently as you add tone. The sound will be a bit fuller, clearer, more resonant and will feel like there is no pressure on the True Vocal Folds at all! Aaaaaaah! Happy vocal folds!
Source: Nicole Gress https://www.undeadvoice.com/
Quick suggestion: when you lower the larynx it’s really common to constrict the “false vocal folds” (flaps of tissue right above your vocal folds). When this happens they get in the way of the airstream and you can hear a raspy/breathy quality in the voice.
To retract the false vocal folds, plug your ears and just breathe in and out. Can you hear the air moving as you breathe? That sound is the air moving past your false vocal folds.
Now lower your larynx but don’t talk, just plug your ears and breathe again. Hear the air even more? You’ve constricted your false vocal folds.
To retract them, go back to a relaxed larynx (not lowered) and plug the ears. This time see if you can breathe in and out silently without hearing the air. Don’t slow down your breathing or use less air. You’ll feel something shift or widen in your throat, that’s the retraction of the false vocal folds.
Now lower the larynx and do the same thing. Once you get a silent inhale/exhale going, on the next exhale, open the mouth and voice “ahh” and see if you hear a difference in the voice quality.
Source: https://wonderofvoice.com/happy-singing-laughing-larynx/
How do you avoid constriction and use retraction instead?
Here comes the laughing larynx! If you think of a silent laugh and feel the neck almost expanding sideways, then you are doing the retraction that makes your voice flow much easier and the need to push with other muscles is not needed. You can do this in any style and it doesn’t mean lowering the larynx unless you want a darker sound.
How to know for sure if you are retracting the false folds? Here is a tip: Close your ears with your fingers. Breathe slowly in and out. If you can hear the air moving (a tiny murmur) you are likely not retracting the false folds. Try to breathe silently (inhalation and exhalation) and just feel the air moving without sound. That´s retraction. Now memorize this feeling and try to do it when you sing. Happy singing with your laughing larynx!
