Two Ways to Coordinate

Your vocal folds are layered tissues controlled by small muscles in the larynx, and they can coordinate in different ways. In chest voice, the folds usually vibrate with a thicker, fuller pattern that produces a strong lower register.

Most of your day is spent in chest voice — it is your natural speaking register. Head voice takes over for higher pitches and softer, lighter sounds. The tricky spot is the handoff between them, called the passaggio. That is exactly where an untrained voice cracks, flips, or wobbles.