How Does the Human Voice Work?

The human voice is like a special instrument inside your body that lets you talk and sing.

Your larynx, which is also called your voice box, is like a small drum at the top of your throat. When you breathe in, air goes through your lungs and up to your larynx. Inside it are two little pieces called vocal cords, which are like tight rubber bands.

When you want to speak or sing, your vocal cords vibrate as air passes between them, just like when you blow across the top of a bottle and it makes a sound.

Then, your voice travels up through your throat and out your mouth or nose. Your tongue, teeth, and lips help shape the sound into different words, kind of like how you use blocks to make different shapes in building.

If you sing, your diaphragm, which is a big muscle under your ribs, helps you take deep breaths so your voice can be strong and clear, just like when you blow up a balloon with lots of air.