What do our instruments look like? - The Larynx

The Larynx is a very small, delicate structure that includes cartilage, muscles and ligaments. It is where our sound is created. The drawings shown are looking down into the Larynx. While there are many parts to Larynx, these are some of the biggest, most important pieces: 

• Base of Tongue

• Epiglottis

• Opening of the Trachea

• Vocal Folds (Cords)

The Vocal Folds, also known as Cords, are folds of tissue over the vocalis muscles. The Vocal Folds open and close when creating sound. They are open when you inhale and close when you send the breath back through. The breath vibrates the closed Vocal Folds which creates our sound. This breath and sound then travels out of the Larynx and through the Pharynx. The Larynx is like the mouthpiece of a trumpet or a clarinet. It is where the mixture of breath and vibration creates the start of our sound.