What Happens in Us When We Sing? The Science and Mechanics Behind Your Voice

Singing is a fascinating mix of art and science. It’s not just about making beautiful sounds—it’s about how your body, brain, and voice work together to create a deeply transformative experience. But what exactly happens inside us when we sing? And what can we actually control to improve our voice?

Let’s break it down.

The Four Pillars of Singing

According to Modern Vocal Training (MVT), the voice is built on four essential components:

🎵 Air Pressure – The controlled airflow that influences vocal fold vibration.

🎵 Phonation – The vibration of the vocal folds that produces sound.

🎵 Resonance – How sound waves are shaped and amplified by the vocal tract.

🎵 Articulation – The movement of the tongue, lips, and jaw that gives the voice clarity.

These four pillars work together—when balanced correctly, they allow you to sing with ease, control, and freedom.

The Vocal Folds: The Engine of Your Voice

Image adapted from Tang, C., and Purushotham, S. ‘Discovering Lexical Similarity Using Articulatory Feature-Based Phonetic Edit Distance,’ ResearchGate, 2021.

At the core of your voice are the vocal folds (commonly called vocal cords), located in the larynx. These tiny muscles vibrate as air passes through them, creating sound. Two key muscles help adjust pitch and tone:

🔹 Cricothyroid (CT) muscle – Stretches and lengthens the vocal folds, allowing you to sing higher notes. Think of it as a pitch adjuster.

🔹 Thyroarytenoid (TA) muscle – Thickens and shortens the vocal folds, creating lower, fuller tones with warmth and depth.

The CT and TA muscles must work together for smooth transitions between vocal registers (chest voice, head voice, and mixed voice). This coordination is key to effortless singing.

Resonance: Why Every Voice is Unique

Your vocal folds create sound, but your resonance chambers shape it. These include your throat, mouth, and nasal passages—all working together to give your voice its unique tone.

Ever wondered why two singers can hit the same note but sound completely different? It’s all about how they manage resonance.

Good vocal technique optimizes resonance, helping your voice sound richer, clearer, and more powerful—without strain.

The Myth of Singing from the Diaphragm

One of the biggest misconceptions about singing is that you need to “sing from the diaphragm.” Let’s clear this up:

🚫 Your diaphragm is an involuntary muscle—you cannot control it directly.

🚫 Pushing or forcing your diaphragm won’t improve your voice—it will only create tension.

✅ What you actually need is a calm, natural, deep breath.

✅ Singing isn’t about forcing air—it’s about balancing air pressure so your vocal folds vibrate efficiently.

What can you control?

• Air Pressure – Managing airflow for smooth vocal fold vibration.

• Resonance – Adjusting how sound waves amplify within your vocal tract.

• Vocal Fold Closure – Ensuring your vocal folds close properly for clear, strong tone.

A good vocal coach will teach you airflow balance, not unnecessary “breathwork” that overcomplicates things.

Singing and the Brain: A Neurological Powerhouse

Singing isn’t just a physical skill—it’s a brain workout.

🧠 It activates both hemispheres of the brain, engaging motor coordination, memory, and emotions.

🧠 It boosts dopamine (the “feel-good” neurotransmitter), which enhances motivation and pleasure. (Nature Neuroscience study).

🧠 It lowers cortisol (the stress hormone), making singing a natural stress reliever.

This is why singing can make you feel energized, focused, and uplifted—all at once.

Vibrations: Why Singing Feels So Good

When you sing, your voice vibrates through your body. These vibrations aren’t just pleasant—they can be deeply soothing.

🔹 Research shows that sound vibrations can reduce muscle tension and promote relaxation.

🔹 This is why many singers describe the sensation as a “vocal massage”—your entire body resonates with the sound.

This isn’t just psychological—your body actually responds to sound waves in a way that promotes well-being.

Singing as a Dopamine Detox

In today’s world, we are bombarded with quick dopamine hits—from social media, processed food, and other instant gratifications. Over time, this overstimulation weakens our ability to feel joy naturally.

🎵 Singing offers a healthier alternative.

🎵 It provides sustained dopamine release through effort, creativity, and self-expression.

🎵 This “earned dopamine” resets your brain’s reward system, leading to longer-lasting happiness.

In short—singing can help you feel more balanced, grounded, and genuinely joyful.

How to Train and Improve Your Voice

So, how do you develop control over these vocal elements?

The answer: Train with a vocal coach.

A good vocal coach helps you:

✅ Develop resonance for a fuller, richer sound.

✅ Balance air pressure so your singing feels effortless.

✅ Improve vocal fold closure for stronger, clearer notes.

✅ Learn how to sing without tension or strain.

With the right guidance, you don’t have to guess—you’ll build healthy vocal habits step by step.

Singing is for Everyone

You don’t need a “perfect” voice to experience the benefits of singing. Singing is a skill—just like any other physical activity, it can be trained and improved.

🌟 If you can talk, you can sing. 🌟

The Transformative Power of Singing

Singing isn’t just about making sound—it’s about connection. It connects you to:

🎵 Your emotions – Expressing what words alone cannot.

🎵 Your body – Feeling resonance and vocal freedom.

🎵 Other people – Strengthening social bonds through shared music.

From the technical coordination of your vocal folds to the neurological and emotional benefits, singing engages your entire being.

It’s not just an art—it’s a science-backed practice for mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

Are You Ready to Unlock Your True Voice?

Singing is for everyone. Whether you’re just starting or refining your skills, a balanced and effortless voice is possible—with the right guidance.

✨ If you’re curious about where to begin, a vocal coach can help you develop your technique in a healthy and sustainable way.

Your voice is already inside you—let’s set it free. 🎶✨