Nasality
Sounds in which air flows through the nose.
The air is allowed into the nose by lowering the velum, the soft palate at the back of the mouth.
These sounds are called nasal sounds.
English has three main nasal sounds: /m/ /n/ /ŋ/
In phonetics, nasalization (or nasalisation) is the production of a sound while the velum is lowered, so that some air escapes through the nose during the production of the sound by the mouth. An archetypal nasal sound is [n].
| Voicing | Phonetic descriptor | Example |
| With vocal fold vibration | Viced | [b], [d], [g], [m], [n], [ŋ], [v], [z], [ʒ], [ð], [w], [j], [l], [r] |
| Without vocal fold vibration | Voiceless | [p], [t], [k], [f], [s], [ʃ], [θ], [M], [h] |
What are the benefits of nasality?
Nasality lowers the air pressure below your vocal cords. It helps you to balance your breath support and singing high notes become easier when you use a little nasality, especially when the notes need to be sung piano (with little volume).
Nasality often is used as a temporary technique to bring balance and reduce air pressure.
Most singers will eventually choose an oral technique.
There are some exceptions though. Celine Dion often uses nasality in her higher range. Country singers also use it.
You can check if you use nasality by first humming.
If you put your finger under your nose you will feel warm air coming out of your nose.
When you sing text, pinch your nose a couple of times while singing. If you sing with a nasal technique you will hear a change in sound as soon as you pinch your nose.
If you do not hear a change in sound it means you are singing with an oral technique.