Bet You Can’t
Right, so here is an interesting ‘betcha’ (that’s short for ‘bet you can’t’)…bet you can’t say ‘mmm‘ for seven seconds while holding your nose closed. Give it a try…oh, and stop puffing out your cheeks!
When you’ve finished trying this ‘bet you can’t’ continue reading.
It seems like this should be very easy to do, doesn’t it. Yet, if you are like me you tried it more than once and attempted to cheat…sorry, bend the rules…in order to be able to do this. In fact, there is a way to cheat that I will share with you in a while.
But first, let’s take a look at why this is such a problem for us to do. Then it should become a bit easier to understand how we can modify our technique to bend the rules a little and achieve the seven second long ‘mmm’ while holding our noses.
Bet You Can’t – explained
In order for the human larynx to make sound, it requires air to pass through it. Since there are only two possible sources of air into the larynx, the mouth and nose, by closing off the nose the mouth becomes the only source of air. The process of humming requires the mouth to be closed, which essentially stops the only source of air to the larynx. So you will be able to hum for a short period until the air in your lungs has nowhere else to escape. As this air has nowhere to go, this is why your cheeks puff out, sorry, it wasn’t mind reading!
Bet You Can’t – Bet I Can!
When your cheeks puff out, the air in your lungs has not depleted, it simply cannot leave your lungs as your nasal cavity and mouth are already full with air. So, if you can open your mouth a tiny amount, enough to hum but release a tiny amount of air, then you will still be able to hum and hold your nose for seven seconds…and longer. It will take some practice, but it’s always handy to know how to beat this ‘bet you can’t’, especially if it is a real bet!
Have Fun.