Resonance

Resonators

Larynx

Pharynx

Oral Cavity

Nasal cavity (sometimes)

Definitions:

Frequency: number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit of time, measured in Hz. pitch

Amplitude: the height of the sound wave (volume)

Natural Frequency: free vibrations of an elastic body (natural vibration) occur at their frequency

Forced Frequency: vibrations which happen at the frequency of an applied force

Resonance: when a forced frequency is equal to the natural frequency of a cavity, the vibration amplitude increases

Fundamental Frequency: The sung pitch

Harmonic Frequencies: multiples of the fundamental frequency at higher levels, These add richness and color to the sound

Formants

• The resonance frequencies of the vocal tract

• Every resonating cavity resonates at its own frequency

• Our vocal tract is capable of resonating at multiple frequencies = formants

• The voice becomes more powerful when the fundamental frequency (the note we’re singing) or one of its harmonics matches exactly with a formant frequency. Acoustic boost

  • Maximum efficiency

  • Ring in the voice

  • F1 associated with the pharynx

  • F2 associated with the mouth

Vowels and what they do to our vocal tracts

• See slides for picture

Tone/Timber

• Bright, dark, chiaroscuro

• Clear, muddy, breathy

• Warm, cutting

• Hooty, nasal

How do we change our resonance?

• Adjusting the Larynx

  • The balance between muscles above the larynx (swallowing muscles) and muscles below the larynx (yawning muscles) determines the position of the larynx

  • A comfortably low larynx (not overly depressed) is optimal for classical styles

  • The larynx may rise slightly for mixed belting and more significantly for heavy chest belting

• Adjusting the Jaw

  • The jaw releases from the temporomandibular joint

  • This lowers the larynx and elongates the pharynx

  • Lowering the jaw

    • More crucial in the back jaw for classical singing

    • Careful it doesn’t jut forward

  • Classical vs. Belt mouth shape - see Davids and La tour pg.

• Adjusting the pharynx

  • Pharynx is enlarged mainly by:

    • Raising the soft palate

    • Lowering the back of the jaw

  • A raised soft palate is crucial for classical styles, In many contemporary styles, it is more relaxed.

  • Gaining control over the soft palate is difficult and takes practice

  • Practice plosive consonants, b, g, k, p

• Adjusting the mouth

  • Consider lip and tongue position

  • the inner smile

  • Tongue greatly alters the space in the mouth and its resonant frequencies