Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Vocal Techniques > EXAM #2 > Flashcards

EXAM #2 Flashcards

1
Q

What is the vocal tract?

A

Network consisting of the larynx, pharynx, and the oral and nasal cavities

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Define nasopharynx

A

Region of the pharynx at the back of the nose and above the soft palate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Define oropharynx

A

Center portion of the pharynx; between the roof of the mouth and the upper edge of the epiglottis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Define laryngopharynx

A

Lower part of the pharynx, just below the opening into the larynx and esophagus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the hard palate?

A

The roof of the mouth; bony front portion of the palate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the velum/soft palate?

A

The soft part of the palate towards the rear of the mouth

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the uvula?

A

The small projection of soft tissue hanging from the back middle edge of the soft palate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Define articulation

A

The production of particular speech sounds with clear and precise pronunciation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the five primary articulators for the English language?

A

Tongue, teeth, lips, hard palate, and alveolar ridge

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the Source-Filter theory

A

The basic idea that your vocal folds are the source of your sound and the vocal tract is like the filter before sound moves to the outside world

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the Non-Linear theory of voice production?

A

Sound moves similarly to the Source-Filter theory (a - b - c), but with a constant loop between a and b, due to back pressure from the pharynx

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Define acoustics

A

The properties or qualities of an area that determine the way sound is transmitted

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Define psychoacoustics

A

The way our ears perceive and hear sound

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are sound waves?

A

Longitudinal waves that move and carry sound through the air

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is a waveform?

A

A measurement of the distance between two wavelengths in upward and downward reflections

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Define simple harmonic motion

A

Sound that does not occur in nature, but comes from electronics, only having one harmonic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Define complex harmonic motion

A

Sound that contains multiple harmonics, occurring naturally

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What are periodic sounds?

A

Soundwaves that have a repeating pattern; we hear periodic waves as having pitch

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What are aperiodic sounds?

A

Soundwaves that do not repeat regularly or produce continuous spectrum; do not have pitch

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is a sine wave?

A

A wave coming from simple harmonic motion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is noise?

A

Sound that lacks a discernible pitch

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Define frequency

A

The number of complete wavelengths that pass a point in a given time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Define pitch

A

A tone’s perceived highness or lowness; the psychoacoustic perception of frequency

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is the fundamental frequency?

A

The lowest frequency of a complex sound; aka the sound we hear

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Define Hertz (Hz)

A

The unit of frequency, equal to one cycle per second; used to measure pitch

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What is a decibel?

A

The unit we use to measure loudness and amplitude

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Define loudness

A

The psychoacoustic perception of amplitude

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Define amplitude

A

The distance between crest and trough of each wave

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What is timbre?

A

The perceived sound quality of a musical note, sound, or tone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What is natural frequency?

A

The frequency at which an object in its natural state wants to resonate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

What are harmonics/overtones/partials?

A

Frequencies that are multiples of the fundamental frequency (1st harmonic = fundamental frequency)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

What are formants?

A

Resonant frequencies of the vocal tract; the way you shape your mouth to create certain vowels/consonants/sounds

33
Q

What is the Singer’s Formant?

A

Created by clustering together the third, fourth, and fifth formats in a narrow frequency range; creates a bell-like ringing quality

34
Q

In what frequency range does the Singer’s Formant sit in?

A

Between 2,400 and 3,200 Hz

35
Q

Explain formant tuning

A

Modifying the vowel to make certain vowel and note combinations sound better and easier to sing

36
Q

What is a register break?

A

The sudden shift from one register to another

37
Q

What is the M1-M2 Passaggio?

A

Register transition for all voice types between D4 and G4

Secondo passaggio for males, primo passaggio for females

38
Q

What is a sound spectrum graph?

A

The analysis of a sound stimulus showing the distribution of power as a function of frequency

Frequency on x-axis, amplitude on y-axis

39
Q

What is a spectogram?

A

A graph that includes the dimensions of frequency, amplitude, and time

40
Q

What is the Treble Secondo Passaggio?

A

A resonance shift that sits around E5-F5

Where the first formant of [a] is

41
Q

In a way your students can understand, can you explain vocal resonance?

A

Resonance is what gives everyone’s voice a unique sound. Sound is sent through the air through sound waves that are created by our vocal fold vibrating. The sound we hear is the fundamental frequency, but complex sounds include harmonics above it creating a full and natural sound. They also richen and deepen the sound.

42
Q

What are the vowel formants?

A

F1 and F2

43
Q

What are the brighter, or more forward, vowels?

A

[i, I, e, E, a]

44
Q

What are the darker, or more back, vowels?

A

[ɔ,ʊ,o,u]

45
Q

Define pure tone

A

A tone with pressure changes that can be described as a single sine wave

46
Q

Define complex tone

A

When two or more sounds of different frequencies are combined; multiple pure tones

47
Q

Define vibrato

A

An oscillation in pitch, usually about a half step; adds to richness of tone

48
Q

What is a tremolo?

A

When the vibrato rate is too fast; sounds harsh and tight

49
Q

What is a wobble?

A

When the vibrato extent (pitch) is too wide

50
Q

What can everyone do to care for their voice?

A

Hydration!
Allow your voice to rest
Use appropriate breathing techniques
Refrain from smoking

51
Q

What can singers do to care for their voice?

A

Engage in adequate warm-ups and cool-downs
Learn your endurance and know your limits
Do not sing if you’re sick and your voice is impaired
Avoid dehydrating medications
Use acetaminophen as a pain reliever; safest for singers

52
Q

What symptoms would prompt you to suggest a student see a medical professional?

A

If vocal pain does not go away after 48 hours of vocal rest

Before starting any therapy or medication for symptoms of pain

53
Q

What is an otolaryngologist?

A

A Ears, Nose, and Throat doctor

Help with allergies, hearing loss, sinus infections…

54
Q

What is a laryngologist?

A

Doctor specialized in the voice, voice disorders, and swallowing

55
Q

When we speak of vocal resonance, to what physical event are we referring?

A

When sound from the vocal folds is amplified and enriched as it passes through the vocal tract

56
Q

What do we mean when we say a singer has “good resonance?”

A

The singer is more effective at shaping the vocal tract to increase ampltidue and richness and is thus overall more efficient in converting breath energy to sound.

57
Q

True or False: Our vocal folds create pure tones, consisting of a single frequency

A

False

58
Q

The first harmonic is called the _____ frequency. It is associated with the pitch being sung.

A

Fundamental

59
Q

A resonance frequency region of the vocal tract may also be called:

A

A formant

60
Q

Our psychoacoustic perception of _____ comes from formats one and two as determined by changes in jaw, tongue, and lip position

A

Vowels

61
Q

When the vocal tract is configured appropriately, the frequency of F3 rises and creates a cluster with the higher frequency formats, F4 and F5, known as the _____. This is often called the “ring” of the voice.

A

Singer’s Formant

62
Q

True or False: A comfortably low larynx, a raised soft palate, and a lowering of the back of the jaw increases the resonating space in the throat, which can create a darker tone quality and allow the vocalist to access the Singer’s Formant.

A

True

63
Q

True or False: The acoustical phenomenon of vibrato is the physical result of the epiglottis flapping back and forth in the pharynx, bending the pitch up and down at high rates of speed.

A

False: Vibrato is a function of nerve impulses in the larynx.

64
Q

True or False: Scientific studies confirm that there is no such thing as a truly “straight” tone because there is always some variation in pitch and/or amplitude.

A

True: “Straight tone” is only the listener’s perception and is not physiologically attainable.

65
Q

Accurate vowel production depends on:

A

Point of tongue elevation
Degree of tongue elevation
Amount of jaw opening
Lip shape

66
Q

Which vowel has the highest and most forward tongue positions?

A

[i]

67
Q

Which vowel has the flattest or lowest tongue position?

A

[E]

68
Q

The most common problems in vowel formation have to do with which articulator?

A

Jaw; excessive movement

69
Q

True or False: singing a vowel unproperly can cause singers to seem out of tune.

A

True

70
Q

Why do voice cracks or breaks occur?

A

due to a combo of the vowel and a pitch being sung. when the fundamental or second harmonic crosses through the first formant, the vibration of the vocal folds becomes destabilized, causing a break or a sudden change of vocal quality.

71
Q

True or False: A vocal register is “a series of frequencies that are perceived to be of similar quality and produced in a similar physiologic manner.”

A

True

72
Q

True or False: In M1 the sound is amplified by the chest cavity and in M2 the sound resonates through the cranium.

A

False

73
Q

How do the vocal folds behave differently in M1 compared to M2?

A

More of the vocal folds are touching in M1 than in M2. In m1, the folds bunch up and in M2, they thin out with only the fold edge vibrating together.

74
Q

What are the two primary factors that contribute to voice breaks?

A

Laryngeal adjustments and resonance feedback.

75
Q

when transitioning between chest and head voice, what resonance strategy is recommended to avoid voice cracks?

A

Modifying towards closed, darker vowels to lower the first formant so that the second harmonic (H2) does not land on it.

76
Q

True or False: Each person possesses a range of pitches that can be produced with either mode as the sound source.

A

True: Within the passaggio, singers can use M1 or M2

77
Q

According to Davids/La Tour, successful enunciation of consonants can be a challenge for two reasons.
Which two reasons do they give?

A

Singers often compromise the preceding and subsequent vowels when they do not form vowels correctly. This is called “vowel pollution.”

Singers often pay consonants insufficient attention because they focus on the vowels out of a desire to create a beautiful tone quality.

78
Q

Why are the consonants b, j, m, p, s, v, and z problematic?

A

They require substantial jaw or lip closing, introducing possible vowel polution.

79
Q

The consonants v, z, l, m, n, and ng possess a characteristic which can be either a strength or a weakness. What is it?

A

These voiced consonants can be sung with long duration.

Vocal Techniques (2 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions