What are the Vocal Chords ?
The vocal folds, also known popularly as vocal chords, are composed of twin infoldings of mucous membrane stretched horizontally across the larynx (like elastic bands). They vibrate, modulating (changing) the flow of air being expelled from the lungs during phonation/singing. One can change the thickness of the vocal chords by making different sounds. This also determines the loudness of your voice. When speaking or singing the vocal chords come together and when taking a breath in, they open. In singing, when the vocal chords are not closing completely, the voice tone will be breathy. On the other hand, if the vocal chords are closing shut all the way along their length, the singing voice sound will be clear because the sound wave will be strong.
