vocal fold vibration

Vocal fold vibration is the process that produces sound when you speak or sing. Inside your larynx (voice box), two flexible bands called vocal folds come together and vibrate as air from your lungs pushes through them. This rapid opening and closing generate sound waves, which are then shaped by your mouth, tongue, and lips into speech. The pitch and tone depend on how fast the folds vibrate—faster vibrations produce higher sounds. The tension, length, and mass of the vocal folds influence this vibration, allowing you to modulate your voice for different pitches and expressions.