Q&A for How to Avoid Singing Through Your Nose

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  • Question
    Is singing through your nose bad?
    Annabeth Novitzki
    Music Teacher
    Annabeth Novitzki is a Private Music Teacher in Austin, Texas. She received her BFA in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon University in 2004 and her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Memphis in 2012. She has been teaching music lessons since 2004.
    Music Teacher
    Expert Answer
    No, singing through your nose is not bad and it won't hurt you. However, most people don't prefer nasal singing because it limits the beauty and tone of the sound
  • Question
    How do I stop breathing through my nose when I sing?
    Annabeth Novitzki
    Music Teacher
    Annabeth Novitzki is a Private Music Teacher in Austin, Texas. She received her BFA in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon University in 2004 and her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Memphis in 2012. She has been teaching music lessons since 2004.
    Music Teacher
    Expert Answer
    It is perfectly fine to inhale through your nose for singing, though singers rarely have enough time for that during a song.
  • Question
    Why does my voice sound nasally?
    Annabeth Novitzki
    Music Teacher
    Annabeth Novitzki is a Private Music Teacher in Austin, Texas. She received her BFA in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon University in 2004 and her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Memphis in 2012. She has been teaching music lessons since 2004.
    Music Teacher
    Expert Answer
    The most likely reason for your nasal sound is that your soft palate isn't lifted while you sing. Review the information in part 1 of this article to work on raising your soft palate.
  • Question
    How do you sing from your stomach and not your nose?
    Annabeth Novitzki
    Music Teacher
    Annabeth Novitzki is a Private Music Teacher in Austin, Texas. She received her BFA in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon University in 2004 and her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Memphis in 2012. She has been teaching music lessons since 2004.
    Music Teacher
    Expert Answer
    It's not possible to sing from your stomach, but the term "belly breath" refers to using your diaphragm muscles to control your breath support low in your torso. To learn more about diaphragm singing, check out this article: https://www.wikihow.com/Sing-Using-Your-Diaphragm
  • Question
    Is singing nasally dangerous, or does it cause any problems?
    Piegirl 123
    Community Answer
    Having a nasal voice is not dangerous at all, it just doesn't sound very good.
  • Question
    Should I feel the vibration when singing with the diaphragm? When breathing in to start singing, should I breathe with the mouth or the nose?
    Community Answer
    Take deep silent breaths through your mouth but make sure you get enough air. A vibration in your diaphragm is probably just your vocal cords.
  • Question
    No matter how I try to stop singing with my nose,I still don't succeed. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    If you can affect the tone by deliberately making one sound, you can change an incorrect and too nasal vocal production just as easily. Take a deep, relaxed breath and say the word “go” in a very dopey, dumb sound. While you are doing this, pinch your nose and then let go. Practice that, and soon your problem should correct itself.
  • Question
    I tried all of those methods. I don't think that my voice sounds nasal when I'm practicing but my choir teacher always tells me that it does. So what am I supposed to do in this case?
    Community Answer
    You need to lift your soft palette and have taller vowels. Try putting a peppermint in your mouth in between your back two teeth. This should help open your mouth.
  • Question
    How do I sing with just my diaphragm?
    Community Answer
    Breath air in, or take a deep breath before singing. As you breath out, the notes should come from your diaphragm.
  • Question
    My sister thinks I sing with my nose, but I don't know how to know if it's true. How do I know if I'm singing nasally?
    Laura Lobo
    Community Answer
    Many times our family members don't know how to describe our flaws, but they mean well. In actuality, everyone sings with their nose. If you use your fingers to close your nostrils and try singing, you will realize that you get a different sound. The sinuses actually add a beautiful reverberation to our full sound. I recommend that you have a professional voice coach address this concern.
  • Question
    Can I use these same steps if I've had a cleft palate repaired?
    Community Answer
    Of course! Just try not to push yourself. Your body can take days, months, or even years to heal. Make sure you are fully recovered first and enjoy singing!
  • Question
    I don't understand the exercises. I know I sing nasally, but I love singing. I don't know how to sing comfortably with the soft palate raised. I don't even know how to find it. What do I do?
    Community Answer
    Your soft palate is raised when it feels like you are yawning. When the back of your throat feels open, then you're correctly raising your soft palate.
  • Question
    How would I know if I am really lifting my softer palette up and how would I know if I'm doing it right?
    Olivia
    Community Answer
    Yawn and you can feel something going upwards. If you open your mouth like that when you sing and it feels the same, you’re doing it right.
  • Question
    If I pinch my nose, won't my voice sound more nasally?
    Tessa Metzger
    Community Answer
    Yes, it will. But this is a good technique to test if your voice is nasal. If it sounds squeaky, then you're singing through your nose. If it doesn't, then good job!
  • Question
    How can I tell somebody they sing through their nose without being rude?
    Tessa Metzger
    Community Answer
    Phrase it as constructive criticism. Ask them if they're open to some critiques, and if they say "no", then just let it go. But if they say "yes", then tell them something along the lines of this: "Your singing voice sounds a little bit nasally to me. I'm not sure if I'm correct, but you can tell by singing and pinching your nose. I don't mean to be rude or anything."
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