DAILY ACTIVITIES

 Topic: GUG (Syllable Warm-Up for Fold Closure)
 Lesson Focus: Strengthening vocal fold closure with the “GUG” exercise to keep the throat open and folds coordinated, leading to a free, healthy sound.

Day 1: Watch & Warm Up

Activity: Watch the “GUG” video to see exactly how to use the consonant-vowel combo.
What You’ll Do:

• •  Watch the full “GUG” demonstration.
  • Stand tall, relax your shoulders, and sing the C-E-G-E-C (1-3-5-3-1) pattern on “GUG” at a slow tempo.
  • Place a hand on your throat to feel the folds engage and release.

Day 2: Tune Into Tension

Activity: Focus on keeping your jaw and neck loose while you perform “GUG” arpeggios, noticing any unwanted tightness you can release.
What You’ll Do:

• • Sing the same C-E-G-E-C pattern with “GUG,” but pause after each note to scan your throat, jaw, and shoulders.
  • Shake out any tension and repeat the pattern 4 times.

Day 3: Volume & Range Check

Activity: Explore soft to loud dynamics on “GUG” and gradually expand your pitch to challenge closure at different intensities.
What You’ll Do:

• • Start softly on your comfortable mid-range pitch and do 3 cycles of GUG arpeggios.
  • Increase to medium volume and then louder, moving up half steps each cycle until your fold closure feels less steady.
  • Record the highest note you can sing with clear closure.

Day 4: Rhythm Remix

Activity: Break the pattern into rhythmic variations to sharpen your fold coordination under different timing challenges.
What You’ll Do:

• • Choose three rhythms (e.g., quarter notes, eighth notes or maybe the first three notes are held for one beat each and the high note holds for two beats) and apply them to your GUG arpeggio.
  • Sing each rhythm twice, focusing on clean starts and stops.

Day 5: Melody Adaptation

Activity: Insert “GUG” into a short melody or lyric line to see how closure training carries over to real singing.
What You’ll Do:

• • Pick a two-bar phrase from a song you like.
  • Replace each syllable with “GUG” and sing it.
  • Then sing the real lyric, keeping the same fold coordination.

Day 6: Partner Feedback

Activity: Get a second set of ears — or record yourself — to confirm your folds are closing optimally without strain.
What You’ll Do:

• • Ask a friend to listen to your GUG routine and note any breathiness or wobble.
  • Or record yourself and play back, listening for smooth onset and release.
  • Adjust your breath support or fold pressure based on feedback.

Day 7: Cool-Down & Reflect

Activity: End the week with a relaxed cool-down, gently gliding on “GUG” and noting progress in a journal.
What You’ll Do:

• • Do one final slow C-E-G-E-C pattern on GUG at a medium volume.
  • Follow with two minutes of relaxed humming at a gentle pitch.
  • Journal: How did your fold closure feel at the start vs. today?

 BONUS FEATURES

 Science Behind It All

• The “G” plosive momentarily builds subglottic pressure, priming the folds to close firmly once you move into the “UG” vowel.
• The back vowel “U” encourages a lowered larynx position and open throat, reducing strain while maintaining closure.
• Cycling between these sounds conditions the folds to meet efficiently under different pressures.

 Cue Cards

• “Close for the G, float the U.”
• “Fold close, throat opens.”
• “G = pressure, UG = release.”
• “Close, then flow.”