Vocal straw back-pressure technique
Marcus Mumford uses vocal straws — blowing bubbles in a bottle — as a warm-up technique to create back pressure that opens and massages the larynx.
Where this was said
Vocal Health, Polyps, and the Penguin Noise Warm-Up
At 43:12 · chapter starts 38:20
Sean, a huge Depeche Mode fan, opens the subject by asking whether Marcus has ever had vocal training — noting he could hear Dave Gahan warming up mid-set in concert. Marcus confesses he spent years convinced whiskey and cigarettes helped. [1] — Marcus Mumford "Marcus warms his voice up with 'the penguin noise' — a throat-opening hum — plus blowing bubbles through a straw into a bottle. The back pr…" 42:55 Then Brandi Carlile introduced him to vocal coach Rob Stevenson, who changed everything. Marcus now has a full pre-show routine: the penguin noise (a low-resonance hum to drop the larynx), vocal straws (blowing bubbles through a straw into a bottle to create back pressure), and strict avoidance of loud rooms after shows. He's never cancelled for voice reasons — the only cancellations the band has had were when guitarist Ted suffered a brain hemorrhage, yet still headlined Glastonbury 2 weeks later. Jason reveals he had polyps removed and his doctor told him he'd been using his voice incorrectly. Sean's diagnostic test before every one-man show performance: if he can hit the high note in 'All By Myself,' the show is a go.
Ted had a brain hemorrhage, headlined Glastonbury 2 weeks later
Mumford & Sons guitarist Ted had a brain hemorrhage but headlined Glastonbury just 2 weeks after surgery, with the band cancelling only 2 shows.
Sean Hayes' All By Myself Vocal Test
Sean Hayes warms up for his one-man show by singing 'All By Myself.' If he can hit the high note, the show is on. If he can't — trouble.
The Penguin Noise and Vocal Straws
Marcus warms his voice up with 'the penguin noise' — a throat-opening hum — plus blowing bubbles through a straw into a bottle. The back pressure acts like a reverse massage on the larynx. He learned all this from Brandi Carlile's vocal coach.
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