Phonation

Phonation is the process of producing voice by altering air from the lungs as it passes through the vocal folds (vocal cords) in the larynx (voice box). When we speak or sing, muscles control the position and tension of these cords, causing them to vibrate. These vibrations generate sound waves, which are then shaped by our throat, mouth, and nasal passages into speech or singing. Essentially, phonation is the biological mechanism behind your ability to produce voiced sounds, from a simple hiss to a full singing tone.