Voice Exercises to Increase Nasality
Before any exercise program begins, it is strongly advised to have an ENT
(Ear, nose and throat doctor) examine the structures for vocal production.
If there is structural blockage such as enlarged adenoids or swelling from
allergies, these exercises may not help. But if there is good passage of air out
of the nostrils yet voice still has denasality, these exercises should help
develop normal resonance.
1. Speak in a slightly higher pitch. If higher pitch improves resonance,
practice oral reading using the higher pitch. Record the readings so that you
can listen to your resonance critically. This can be done with parent and
child until the child becomes aware of the difference.
2. Increase the volume. Increasing the volume requires greater air flow and
air pressure and this can help nasality.
3. Ear training can sometimes aid in increasing nasality. By listening to a
person with normal resonance repeat these words it can help to achieve a
more nasal quality. The following word pairs may help:
MAY BAY
MAT BAT
ME BEE
MILK BILK
MET BET
MOAT BOAT
MEAT BEAT
MORE BORE
MY BYE
MUST BUST
NEED BEAD
BING BIG
NIP DIP
BANG BAG
NINE DINE
BRING BRIG
4. Try this humming exercise. Prolong the "AH" sound and then close your
lips while you say it. The sound should go through your nose. This is the
"emmmmmmm" or humming sound.
a. Prolong humming "m." Place your fingers on the bridge of your nose so
you can feel the vibration.
b. Now prolong the "n" sound. Open your lips and place your tongue
behind your upper teeth as you do. Prolong the sound as long as you can and
check the vibrations in your nose with your fingers. These vibrations
represent the nasality you want to add to your voice.
c. Now prolong the "ang" sound by saying the word "rang" and stretching
it out as long as you can. Again feel your nose vibration with your fingers.
d. With some practice you should be able to feel even without having to
check with your fingers when the sounds you make have nasal vibrations
and when they do not. This will make it easier for you to get normal
resonance on the words and sounds that require it.
5. If you have been successful in getting some nasal sound, practice reading
aloud while recording the passage below:
ON A CLEAR NIGHT, DAN AND TOM COULD SEE THE MAN IN
THE MOON. ON TOM'S GRANDMOTHER'S FARM, THERE WERE
MANY NIGHTS WHEN THERE WAS NO SMOKE AND SMOG. DAN
AND TOM WOULD COME TO THE FARM ON MANY MOONLIT
NIGHTS TO SEE THE MOON.