All About the Larynx

When they are tense, they vibrate about 1000 times per second! This produces short sound waves or high tones.

When are vocal chords are loose they can vibrate up to about 8 times per second. This produces deep tones.

The larynx is made up of a tough wall of something called cartilage. The inside lining has two folds of tissue which are on each side but leave a gap between them. These are called vocal cords. When a person is quiet and breathing, the gap that is between the cords stays wide open. The cords become loose. When we talk, sing, or shout the chords tighten. When we breath out it causes the chords to vibrate. Our vocal cords can be in about 170 different positions.