Hey there! Today, we’re going on a fun adventure with Jessi and her friend, Sam the Bat. Sam is visiting the Fort, and Jessi has a cool trick to show him using a balloon. Let’s see what they discover!
Jessi has a balloon and she lets the air out in a special way. By pulling the neck of the balloon tight, she makes a high-pitched sound. When she loosens it, the sound becomes lower. Sam is amazed and wants to know how it works.
Jessi explains that the balloon is like how people sing. When you sing a high note, you tighten something in your throat called vocal folds, or vocal cords. These are like folds of skin that vibrate to make sound. When you sing a low note, the vocal folds are looser.
Our lungs, located in our chest, fill with air and let it out when we breathe. This air travels through our throat and mouth, making the vocal folds vibrate, just like the balloon. Jessi shows Sam how to breathe in and out, and they practice together.
Professional singers train their breath to control their voice. They can make soft or loud sounds by controlling their breath. Their vocal folds aren’t different from anyone else’s; it’s all about practice and control.
Jessi shows Sam another trick with a rubber band. When she plucks it, it makes a sound. But when she plucks it inside a box, the sound is louder and richer. The rubber band is like vocal folds, and the box is like your throat and mouth, helping your voice sound fuller.
Jessi loves using her voice as her favorite instrument. She invites everyone to keep learning about our amazing bodies and the world around us. If you enjoyed this adventure, you can join Jessi and Sam for more fun on the YouTube Kids app. See you next time at the Fort!
Balloon Sound Experiment: Try the balloon trick at home! Get a balloon and let an adult help you. Inflate the balloon and slowly let the air out while pinching the neck tightly to make a high-pitched sound. Then, loosen your grip to make a lower sound. Can you make a song with your balloon? What happens if you change how tight or loose you hold the balloon neck?
Vocal Fold Fun: Pretend you are a singer! Practice singing high and low notes. Feel your throat with your fingers as you sing. Can you feel the vibrations? Try singing softly and then loudly. How does your throat feel different? Ask a friend or family member to join you and see if you can sing together like a choir!
Rubber Band Music Box: Create your own musical instrument using a rubber band and an empty box. Stretch the rubber band around the box and pluck it. Listen to the sound it makes. Now, try plucking the rubber band without the box. Which sound is louder and richer? Why do you think the box makes a difference?
