Exercise Instructions - The Basics

You will need: A LAX VOX® tube & a bottle/glass of water. At one end of the LAX VOX® tube, there are three markings at 2, 4, and 6 cm. The deeper the tube is in the water, the higher the water resistance = the higher the training level. Always start at or below the first marking (=1-2cm). Then find the water depth at which you can LAX VOX easily and relaxed. 1. PREPARATION - Insert the end of the tube with the markings into the water up to or below the first marking. Hold the tube at this height with one hand. The tube must not touch the bottom! - Place the other end in your mouth between your front teeth and on the relaxed tip of your tongue, gently sticking out your tongue a bit. - Gently enclose the end of the tube with your lips. Keep your cheeks loose and relaxed. Do not bite on the tube!!! - Hold the bottle/glass close to your body at chest height. - Exhale actively first, then let the air flow in passively, keep your stomach relaxed and start bubbling directly. Shoulders and chest stay down, only stomach movement. - Relax after each bubble (look silly, relax your jaw muscles, and let the air flow in passively). - Make the sound bubble like you did with a straw in water. - Start at a medium pitch and go deeper. - The higher the pitch, the more intense the training, later go to your vocal limits without straining. 2. Voice • Say short and long soft "oohs" (as in "moo") into the tube. Let your cheeks vibrate. • Say a long "oooo" and vary the pitch. Keep your jaw loose and relaxed. Move your lips forward (pout) and make a long and loud sound. LAX VOXING FEELS EASY AND RELAXED. YOU DON'T NEED TO MAKE AN EFFORT. 3. GLISSANDOS AND MELODIES • Make glissandos up and down in the tube. • Sing simple melodies into the tube (e.g., "Happy Birthday," "Frère Jacques"). • See how things change when you push the tube deeper into the water. 4. PRACTICE WITHOUT THE TUBE • Now slowly pull the tube out of the water while singing. Keep all other settings. • Practice with the tube in the water and then slowly remove it from your mouth. Don't change anything else! • Then practice without the tube saying "oohs" and humming "mmmm." 5. TRANSFERRING TO SPEAKING • Count from 1-10 with the tube and then without the tube, say the days of the week with the tube and then without the tube, say short sentences with the tube and then without the tube. Read a text with the tube and then without the tube. It doesn't feel right? Focus on your relaxed lips, jaw, tongue. Cheeks should be loose while bubbling. You only need a breath of air. Sit comfortably and try again.