Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract Postures and Their Application in the Singing Voice Studio

摘要: MANY SINGING TEACHERS, voice therapists, and acting teachers employ semi-occluded vocal tract postures in their teaching. These can be divided into three basic types: 1) where the semi-occlusion remains consistent over time a) singing vowels a straw b) sustained phonation of voiced fricative consonants, such as /v/ c) nasal /m/ 2) occlusion is oscillatory lip buzz raspberry rolled /r/ 3) or very transitory semi-vowels /j/ /w/ stop consonants /b/, /g/, /d/ Many these flow-resistant are an integral part what Lessac, Verdolini, Titze, others have referred to "resonant voice" training. There number reasons why been so widely used. Potential physiologic acoustic benefits vocalizing include: A high ratio output fold vibration amplitude. As Ingo Titze has written earlier this column, tend encourage known maximum flow declination rate, which say folds cut off air quickly each cycle. It rapid shutting that excites higher frequencies. Moreover, achieve with relatively low The result more bang (acoustic output) for fewer bucks (low effort reduced risk tissue damage). Some may narrowing epilaryngeal outlet, aid production singers formant cluster matching glottal impedance input tract. Improved breath management. vocalist engage greater thoracic abdominal "support" without using pressed phonation. 4) Lowered threshold pressure. positive pressures above glottis lower pressure needed initiate sustain 5) "Head sensation encouraged. This most immediately tangible aspect training studio. due not only sympathetic oro-facial tissues sinuses face skull, but also coupling upper surface glottis. 6) thyroarytenoid muscle activation cricothyroid during after use postures. similar found when contrasting "covered" "open" singing. With potential mind, authors decided examine typically happens pharyngeally laryngeally type posture. Videoendoscopic images pharynx were taken first author (a teacher tenor) by second while listed paragraph used pilots /i/, /u/, /a/ on pitch E^sub 3^ (165 Hz). * /i/ was chosen its F1 (in close proximity H2 at pitch) good access visualizing /u/ contrast (more rounding than /i/) complete series "corner vowels" (tongue less fronted) sequence performed Table 1. Streaming video endoscopy following URL: http://streamer.utsa.edu/ramgen/STREAMING2/static/Colfa/MUS/JNix/Nix_ASA.rm From perspective, some practical Sensations increased least steady respiratory support. …