The Vocal Tract.docx

Each voice has a unique sound and capability. One reason for this is we all have different vocal tracts (resonators or filters). We can change the shape of our vocal tracts by altering the shape and size of our vocal tracts. Your vocal tract is basically a blank slate which you can manipulate using the position of tongue, mouth and throat to create your own distinct resonance and vocal tone. As voice teachers, our job is to help you discover what you’ve got and maximize it so you can sing easily and smoothly throughout your entire range. What are we trying to achieve? Helping student sing comfortably through entire range by helping them move through their bridges smoothly w no change in tone or quality Methods 3 elements of a good tone -consistent air flow -consistent cord resistance (cord closure) -consistent centered vowel Good singing should act like string instruments-tension doesn’t change when pitch changes Resistance is a better word than tension. Formants-how you form vowels; deals w acoustics -Aim is to work toward a centered vowel -Get results into a song Processes 1-Double resistor exercises-Bubble (consistent airflow, consistent resistance) If they have trouble, usually a tension problem Straw exercise 2-Fine Tuning-Finding the friendly vowel -use tendencies of vowels, consonants, scales, ranges to help them find that balance Lanes merging example (preparing for bridge-narrowing vowels but keeping them pure) Technically-unified voice throughout entire range. The Vocal Tract (Throat/Pharynx), Larynx (Voice Box), and Soft Palate Sound is made and amplified in the vocal tract, which consists of the voice box (larynx), and the throat area (pharynx) all the way up and back to the soft palate. Sound is initiated in the larynx (voice box). The quality of sound depends

upon the shape of the pharynx (throat). The pharynx is highly flexible and capable of forming many different shapes. Each variation of shape will cause the voice to produce a different voice quality Vocal physiology Pharynx-throat; Larynx-voice box; house of the vocal cords (or vocal folds) Hard palate-roof of mouth Soft palate-behind hard palate; flexible part of pharynx; raises to close off the nasal passages and lowered for nasal sounds How pitch is created: folds need to come together. To breathe, they need to open. To create higher pitches, the vocal folds need to stretch. Low voice-thick loose cords High voice-stretched thinner cords Changing the vocal cord tension varies the pitch of the voice. Pitch in the lower register is produced when the vocal folds are shorter and thicker. This action is caused by the contraction of the thyroarytenoid muscles within the vocal cords. Pitch in the upper register is produced when the vocal folds are longer and thinner. This action is caused by the contraction of the cricothyroid muscles at the base of larynx. The transitional area needs to begin sooner than the “point” or “single note” they feel is the ONLY place the voice shifts. You must approach the transitional area carefully, and start the approach prior to the area where the voice feels like it is “changing tracks.”