Stage 6 of 7 in the course

Breathiness

How much air slips through

When your folds meet, a little breath can slip past as air instead of turning into voice. That airy edge is breathiness.

A little air can make a voice sound softer and lighter. Too much tires you out.

A softer start, with a little air leading the way, is also gentler on your voice than the folds snapping shut. A little is the aim, not a whisper: if it takes effort or you run short of air, that's too much.

What to expect

Each session ends with a quick check. Breathiness that turns up on its own in ordinary talking is tiredness, not progress, and that's the day to stop.

What changes it

A little air

Start from a sigh

Do this: Let out an easy, natural sigh. Notice how airy it is. Then let a gentle note ride on the same sigh, gliding down.
You'll know it's working when: The note feels as effortless as the plain sigh did.

In the app: The sigh slide (B1), 2 min

A little air

Let a little air lead

Do this: Say “open” and “easy” with a small puff of air first, like a quiet “h” that isn't there. Exaggerate it, then bring it back to normal.
You'll know it's working when: The words start, rather than snap on.

In the app: Breathy onset (B2), 3 min

A little air

Pressed, airy, and in between

Avoid: PressedHeld tight
Aim for: In betweenA little air
Avoid: Too airyMostly air

Do this: Say “I'd like a coffee, please” three ways: pressed and clipped, then very airy, then comfortably in between. Keep the pressed one short.

If the pressed one leaves any tightness, skip it.

In the app: Pressed vs breathy (B3), 3 min

Putting it together: a little air, never pushed

Even through the whole sentence, from a full breath.

Start from a sigh
Let a little air lead
A full breath for each sentence

After practising, say an ordinary sentence. If normal talking feels airy, tight or tiring, that's strain, not progress. Stop for today.

This is practice, not medical care. Keep it comfortable: if your throat feels tight, sore or tired, stop for today. Read Looking after your voice, and see a speech and language therapist if hoarseness lasts more than a few days.