Stefan Holmström MFA, EMCI

Many singers and speakers experience tongue tension, but why is it so common? Take a look at the MRI image below of the vocal tract in cross section (image 1.). You can clearly see that the tongue takes a lot of space in the oral cavity. It's big! There is far more to it than just the tip, blade or back which you can relatively easily see. Image 1. And because it is connected to so many other structures like the jaw, the soft palate, the head and the tongue bone you can begi

Photo by Tarzine Jackson from Pexels Tongue root tension is a very common issue experienced by singers and speakers alike. There are many causes of tongue root tension, but essentially it is the result of misplaced effort when using our voice. Effort that isn't released becomes tension and the tension easily becomes a habit that you may not even notice. Unlike most structures of the vocal anatomy, your tongue is easy to feel and can become the “go to” in all sorts of vocal t