Journal article
Space in the Throat and Associated Vocal Qualities
Journal of singing, Vol.61(5), pp.499-501
05/01/2005
Abstract
Global widening and lengthening of all airways is not the sole answer for singers, especially if a large variety of voice qualities is desirable. Selective narrowing and widening becomes the pedagogical toolbox if many musical styles and sound qualities are to be achieved. In this brief essay, I select several specific spaces in the throat for the production of five sound qualities: pressed, twangy, singing, breathy, and yawny. These sound qualities exist in various styles of singing. Pressed voice is found in rock styles, in some Arabian prayer calls (my own perception from having lived in Saudi Arabia for two years), and some Far Eastern chants. Twangy voice is characteristic of country-western singing, and to some degree Chinese opera, especially in male voices. Breathy voice is used in many styles when microphones are available (either for five performance or recording). Female pop artists are particularly fond of it, but classical lieder singers use it discriminately. Finally, yawny voice is an exaggeration of a "dark and warm" quality that is key to all Western classical singing. It embodies the global expansion of airways mentioned above. A yawn is a reflex that stretches all the airways periodically to maintain the integrity of muscles, joints, and ligaments for breathing, eating, and falling asleep.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Space in the Throat and Associated Vocal Qualities
- Creators
- Ingo Titze
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of singing, Vol.61(5), pp.499-501
- Publisher
- National Association of Teachers of Singing
- ISSN
- 1086-7732
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 05/01/2005
- Academic Unit
- School of Music; Communication Sciences and Disorders
- Record Identifier
- 9984719734302771
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