Why is it that when we are humming and then we plug our nose, our humming stops? Do people really hum through their nose, or their mouths?
by 
Alatea
ANSWERS: 1
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The shape of the passage through which the air flows affects the reverberation of the sound waves generated by the vocal chords, much like the shape of a trombone or french horn affects the pitch and timbre of the sound between the two instruments. When the air passes through the nasal cavity, it produces more of an "mmm" sound; and when the air passes through the mouth, it produces more of an "aaaa" sound. That's why you can't hum through your mouth with your nose pinched shut.
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