[Acoustic measurements, perceptive judgements and physiological correlates of the "singing-formant" in male and female opera singers]

Author(s): Quattrocchi, S.

Journal/Book: Rev Laryngol Otol Rhinol. 1996; 117: 335-9.

Abstract: At the crossroads of speech and music, this research contribute to a description of the "singing-formant" not only in its acoustic aspects, but also in its physiological and perceptive aspects. From systematic spectral analysis of the phenomenon, the singing-formant is firstly redefined and described from an acoustic point of view, as a reinforcement of extra energy at around 2800 Hz in male subjects and up to 4000 Hz in female ones. What is the perceptive significance of such a phenomenon? Taking into account the voicing context of lyrical singing, we then attempt to show the impact of the singing-formant on the sounds perceived through perception tests. Finally, we attempt to explain its characteristics from a physiological point of view. Vibratory phenomena initially favour the emergence of high-pitched harmonics, richer in the larynx spectra of those of our subjects who have the singing-formant. From a resonance point of view from the analysis of the contours of middle sagittal slices of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the French vowels [a], [i] and [o] spoken and sung by a professional bass singer, the area functions and spectra of sounds given out have been elaborated, thanks to the vocal tract acoustic simulation software of S. Maeda. Hypotheses relating to the nature and position of articulators favourable to the production of the singing-formant can then be given out, and are of great interest for the education and reeducation of the singing voice.

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Keyword(s): Acoustics. Adult. English Abstract. Female. Human. Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Male. Music. Perception. Voice Quality/physiology

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