What Is Vocal Resonance?

Author: Jesse Nerenberg, Reg. CASLPO, Speech-Language Pathologist
Date: Wednesday, August 21, 2025

Introduction

When most people think about their voice, they tend to focus on the sound that comes out of their mouth. They might notice the pitch of their voice, whether it is high or low. They might notice the loudness, whether they are speaking softly or projecting strongly. But there is another important quality of the voice that often goes unnoticed until something feels “off.” This quality is called vocal resonance.

As a speech-language pathologist (SLP) at Well Said, I often have to teach and explore vocal resonance with a variety of clients, in order to bring them closer to achieving their speech and communication goals.

For example, I recently had a client who had been diagnosed with muscle tension dysphonia (which had been causing her issues with her voice for several months). A large component of her therapy involved shifting her vocal resonance.

Vocal resonance refers to the way sound vibrations are shaped and amplified inside the body after the vocal folds produce them. It is the reason that two people singing the same note can sound completely different. The basic pitch might be the same, but the tone, depth, warmth, or brightness can vary dramatically. Resonance is what gives a voice its unique character.

I often tell clients that there are three major systems involved in producing the voice: the respiratory system (like the gas in the tank of a car), the vibratory system (the vocal folds, like the strings of the guitar), and the resonance system (which is like the head of a guitar or end of a trumpet). It is where the sound is focused after passing across the vibratory folds.

If you think about a guitar or violin, the strings alone do not make much sound when plucked. The hollow wooden body of the instrument amplifies and colors the sound. Different shapes, sizes create different tone qualities. Your vocal tract works in a similar way. The vocal folds produce the initial sound, but it is your throat, mouth, nasal passages, and even chest cavity that influence the richness and shape of the sound.

How Resonance Works in the Voice

The sound of your voice begins with vibration. Air from your lungs passes through the vocal folds in your larynx (voice box), making them vibrate rapidly. These vibrations produce a basic buzzing sound. On its own, this sound is not especially pleasant or strong. It gains power and clarity as it travels through the spaces in your body.

Your vocal tract acts as a resonating chamber. This includes the throat, the mouth (oral cavity), and the nose and sinuses (nasal cavity). Each of these areas can emphasize or reduce certain frequencies of the sound, shaping the tone. Even small changes in the shape or size of these spaces can change how your voice sounds. For example, opening your mouth wider can make the voice sound more open or brighter, while lowering and retracting the tongue can make the voice sound darker or more muffled.

One important thing to understand is that resonance is not about volume. You can have strong, well-shaped resonance even when speaking softly. Likewise, you can speak loudly but with poor resonance if the sound is not being amplified and shaped efficiently by your body.

Why Resonance Matters

Resonance plays a big role in how your voice is perceived by others and how it feels to you when you speak. Clear resonance often makes the voice sound pleasant, easy to listen to, and expressive. Poor resonance can make the voice sound thin, muffled, nasal, or strained.

From a communication perspective, good resonance helps your voice carry without excessive effort. It allows you to be heard in a room without shouting and to speak for longer periods without feeling as tired. From an expressive standpoint, resonance adds depth and variety to your tone.

Resonance is also closely tied to vocal health. When resonance is well-balanced, the vocal folds do not need to work as hard to produce a clear sound. This reduces strain and the risk of vocal fatigue or injury. In contrast, if resonance is lacking, you might push harder from your throat to make up for it, leading to tension and over time. This is partially what can go on when one is suffering from muscle tension dysphonia, as described in my client at the top of this post. I also often tell clients to think of resonance as a form of vocal “posture”.

Different Types of Resonance

In speech and singing, people often talk about chest resonance, head resonance, and nasal resonance. These are not separate sound sources but rather different sensations and effects that come from shifting how sound vibrates in the body.

Chest resonance refers to the sensation of vibration in the chest area. While the chest does not actually create sound, lower-pitched sounds can cause the chest to vibrate, which many people perceive as a feeling of fullness or depth in the voice.

Head resonance is often used to describe the sensation of vibrations in the bones of the face and skull, particularly for higher-pitched sounds. This type of resonance can help make the voice sound brighter and more projecting without strain.

Nasal resonance occurs when sound is directed through the nasal cavity. In English, some nasal resonance is natural and necessary for certain sounds, such as /m/, /n/, and /ŋ/ (as in “sing”). Too much nasal resonance in other situations can make the voice sound “nasal” or “twangy,” while too little can make it sound blocked or congested.

In reality, resonance is a blend of these elements. Healthy resonance often involves a balance that allows for both richness from the lower resonating spaces and brightness from the higher ones.

How Resonance Can Change

Several factors can affect vocal resonance. Some are temporary, such as a cold or allergies that block nasal passages or cause swelling in the throat. Others are more permanent, such as changes from surgery, or structural differences in the mouth or throat.

Your posture, breathing, and muscle tension can also have a big impact. For example, hunching forward can reduce space in the chest and throat, while tight jaw or tongue muscles can restrict the oral cavity. Even emotional state plays a role, as tension or nervousness can change how you shape your voice without you even realizing it.

For singers and professional voice users, resonance can be deliberately adjusted to suit different styles. A news broadcaster might aim for a warm, authoritative tone, while a musical theatre performer might use a brighter, more projected resonance for certain songs (maybe even with a touch of nasality, for musical theatre fans think Adelaide in Guys & Dolls).

When Resonance Feels “Off”

People often become aware of resonance when it changes unexpectedly. You might notice your voice sounding more nasal, muffled, or hollow than usual. Sometimes you feel like your voice is stuck in your throat, lacking the depth or clarity you want. Other times you might notice an increase in effort, as if you are pushing the sound out. Or at its most extreme you may feel your voice is tense or strangled, or rough due to muscle tension dysphonia.

Changes in resonance can happen gradually, such as with developing muscle tension or changes in health, or suddenly, such as after a respiratory infection (as in long COVID). Persistent changes should be evaluated by a qualified health professional, such as an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor and a speech-language pathologist who works in voice.

Working on Resonance in Speech Therapy

If you work with a speech-language pathologist for voice concerns, resonance might be one of the main areas of focus. Therapy often starts with awareness, helping you feel and hear the difference between various resonance qualities. You might explore humming, vowel sounds, and gentle speech exercises to sense vibrations in your face, lips, or chest.

The next step often involves experimenting with how to shape the vocal tract to achieve a clearer, more balanced sound. This could mean adjusting tongue position, or the amount of space in the mouth and throat. Posture, breath support, and relaxation techniques often play a role as well.

For some people, resonance work is about reducing excess nasality or tension. For others, it is about finding more “forward” placement so the voice carries better. The goal is usually to find an efficient, sustainable way of speaking that feels comfortable and sounds natural.

Everyday Strategies to Support Healthy Resonance

Even if you are not in formal therapy, there are ways to encourage healthy resonance in daily life. Staying hydrated is important, as moisture keeps the tissues in your throat flexible and reduces friction. Paying attention to tension in your neck, jaw, and shoulders can also make a difference. Sometimes, taking a moment to release your shoulders, loosen your jaw, and take a comfortable breath can help your voice sound and feel better immediately.

It is also helpful to notice how your environment affects you. Speaking in noisy places often leads people to push their voices, which can interfere with resonance.

Resonance and Identity

For some people, resonance work is not just about vocal health or clarity. It can also be a key part of expressing identity. In gender-affirming voice work, for example, adjusting resonance can be a powerful tool for aligning the voice with a person’s sense of self. While pitch changes are one part of that process, resonance can have an even bigger effect on how a voice is perceived.

By exploring the balance of brightness and depth, and learning how to use different resonating spaces, a person can shape their voice in ways that feel authentic to them. This is another area where working with a knowledgeable speech-language pathologist can be very helpful.

Conclusion

Understanding resonance can help you notice changes early and take steps to protect your voice. It can also open the door to exploring new ways of using your voice. If you are curious about your own resonance, or if you have noticed changes in how your voice sounds or feels, consider talking to a speech-language pathologist.

To speak with a psychotherapist or one of the speech-language pathologists at Well Said: Toronto Speech Therapy, schedule an initial consultation by clicking the link below or calling (647) 795-5277.