What is straw phonation?

Straw phonation means humming or singing through a drinking straw. Narrowing the way out of the mouth creates a little back-pressure in the throat, and that helps the vocal folds vibrate efficiently with less effort, which is why singing teachers and voice therapists use it for warming up, cooling down and practising high notes gently. Slide up and down through your range on an "oo" into the straw, keeping the sound quiet and easy; a narrower straw gives more resistance.

A cool-down with straw exercises and a sung example for each