Nasal Control
As you discovered, nasal vowels already exist in English, even though we don't realize it. So there's no actual physical challenge to creating a nasal vowel in isolation. You move your velum all the time, so a single contraction or relaxation of the velum does not need any new strength or coordination ability.
The real challenge of Portuguese is in the rapid alternation between nasal and oral vowels in regular speech. In contrast to English, where we incidentally make nasal vowels only once in a while, Portuguese nasal vowels are abundant in normal speech.
As a native English speaker, you LACK the motor coordination and velar control to switch between oral and nasal vowels at the speed that Native Portuguese speakers do. So you CANNOT master Portuguese Flow without developing your Nasal Control.
Think about it this way. You can move your big toe back and forth the same way you your thumb back and forth. But you can move your thumb back and forth A LOT faster than you can do your toe. Why? because throughout your lifetimes, you have used your thumb a lot more than you used your toe. Similarly, a Brazilian uses his or her velum a lot more than you do, so it's going to be a lot stronger.
But don't be discouraged. You can increase your Velar control to that of a Portuguese speaker in less than two weeks of training. After all, we're just talking about a tiny muscle in the back of your mouths. The techniques below are based off of those used by musicians to build their hand and finger speed for playing fast tempo music.
The real challenge of Portuguese is in the rapid alternation between nasal and oral vowels in regular speech. In contrast to English, where we incidentally make nasal vowels only once in a while, Portuguese nasal vowels are abundant in normal speech.
As a native English speaker, you LACK the motor coordination and velar control to switch between oral and nasal vowels at the speed that Native Portuguese speakers do. So you CANNOT master Portuguese Flow without developing your Nasal Control.
Think about it this way. You can move your big toe back and forth the same way you your thumb back and forth. But you can move your thumb back and forth A LOT faster than you can do your toe. Why? because throughout your lifetimes, you have used your thumb a lot more than you used your toe. Similarly, a Brazilian uses his or her velum a lot more than you do, so it's going to be a lot stronger.
But don't be discouraged. You can increase your Velar control to that of a Portuguese speaker in less than two weeks of training. After all, we're just talking about a tiny muscle in the back of your mouths. The techniques below are based off of those used by musicians to build their hand and finger speed for playing fast tempo music.
Nasal Control Drill 1: The Nasal Rally
The Rally drill is for boosting your max speed of the nasal-oral switch.
- Start by alternating slowly between the nasal vowel and the oral equivalent.
- Gradually build the speed until you are going as fast as you can. You will eventually burn out.
- Try to make it last at least 10 seconds before you burnout
- Each burnout is a set. Do 5 sets in a row per training session for each nasal vowel.
- Do at least two sessions a day, with one session being before you go to sleep.
Nasal Control Drill 2: Double Time
In this drill, you will find a fast but comfortable speed and focus on your endurance.
- While keeping a steady beat, alternate between the nasal vowel and oral equivalent on each beat.
- After two measures of this, double the speed so that you're making 8 sounds per measure.
- After two measures of this, double the speed again so that you're making 16 sounds per measure.
- After two measures of this, do one more slow measure (4 sounds per measure).
- This counts as one set, do 5 sets per session, and at least two sessions per day.
- Start with a slow tempo than gradually increase the tempo every day as your nasal control strengthens.
Practice these two drills daily and you will notice DRASTIC improvements in your ability to mimic Portuguese sounds at normal speed. Nasal vowels should not feel belabored, but rather easy and natural. If they don't feel easy and natural to you, Portuguese will never feel easy and natural to you.
You'll know that you've had a good session if your velum is actually sore at the end. Let this remind you that your speech organ is just another group of muscles. Whatever soreness you feel today will translate into strength and ease tomorrow.
I call this section "Boot Camp" because you need to have the proper physical condition before I can send you into the field of real Portuguese speech. So do yourself a huge favor and take these drills seriously.
You'll know that you've had a good session if your velum is actually sore at the end. Let this remind you that your speech organ is just another group of muscles. Whatever soreness you feel today will translate into strength and ease tomorrow.
I call this section "Boot Camp" because you need to have the proper physical condition before I can send you into the field of real Portuguese speech. So do yourself a huge favor and take these drills seriously.
Once you have finished the material on this page, you may move on to the next page - Final Comments.