The “Adam’s apple” is the container for the vocal cords. When we swallow, it travels up to the top of the throat to help prevent food or liquid from entering the lungs. When we yawn, it falls in the lower part of the throat. These are natural reflexes, but a tall (swallowing) larynx (Adam’s apple) definitely works against good singing. When turned up, it reduces the space between the vibrating strings and the top of the throat, which greatly affects the quality and bright harmonics of the sound. If the larynx rises (a natural reflex) when we sing high notes, our sound constricts and the high range is severely limited. In short, if you want to become a good singer, you MUST train your larynx to stay low in your throat.
I use the term “train” because most of us can’t just think of the larynx up and down, like moving our fingers or toes. We have to train him to do something he doesn’t really want to do.
The first thing you can do to bring the strings down to sing is to inhale, feeling yourself start to yawn. This type of inhalation is sometimes referred to as “inhaling with a sense of wonder.” (You have just seen the Grand Canyon for the first time and take a deep breath in awe of the beauty.) This lowers the Adam’s apple and prepares you to sing well.
When you are chanting, always inhale in this way. then once your throat is open and your vocal cords are low in your throat, pay extra attention to keeping them that way as you continue to sing. You’ll need to be very aware of this at first, but as you do it more and more, your muscle memory will learn and you won’t have to think about it.
Training the larynx to stay low ranks very high on the “learn” list. and should be practiced frequently. I have recorded some fabulous exercises in my SINGER’S BIBLE that are specifically designed to train the larynx to stay low.