Question:
This may sound unusual, but the question I have is about plugging the nose. I have the ability to plug my nose by will alone. I have become accustomed to using this while singing to create different affects. It was quite a surprise to find out that not everyone can do this. The only thing on the net that I’ve found about this is another person in a chat room basically asking similar questions as I am. If there is anyway you can provide me with the actual term for what I’m doing or a website where I can find more information about this, it would be greatly appreciated. P.S.: This is not to be confused with merely raising the soft palate.
Answer:
I know of no term for what you are doing nor of a website that discusses it. Raising the palate would un-plug, rather than plug the nose. However, lowering the soft palate to meet the back of the tongue would plug the nose. Even if it doesn’t completely touch the tongue, you can achieve varying degrees of nasal resonance with a somewhat lower palate and very slightly elevated back of the tongue. Remember, you have the entire nasal pharynx (open space behind the nose) to play with as well and miniscule adjustments to the pharyngeal muscles, the tongue and the palate create wildly different effects.