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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

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2
Q

Define nasopharynx

A

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

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3
Q

Define oropharynx

A

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

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4
Q

Define laryngopharynx

A

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

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5
Q

What is the hard palate?

A

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

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6
Q

What is the velum/soft palate?

A

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

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7
Q

What is the uvula?

A

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

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8
Q

Define articulation

A

The production of particular speech sounds with clear and precise pronunciation

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9
Q

What are the five primary articulators for the English language?

A

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

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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

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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

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12
Q

Define acoustics

A

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

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13
Q

Define psychoacoustics

A

The way our ears perceive and hear sound

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14
Q

What are sound waves?

A

Longitudinal waves that move and carry sound through the air

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15
Q

What is a waveform?

A

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

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16
Q

Define simple harmonic motion

A

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

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17
Q

Define complex harmonic motion

A

Sound that contains multiple harmonics, occurring naturally

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18
Q

What are periodic sounds?

A

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

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19
Q

What are aperiodic sounds?

A

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

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20
Q

What is a sine wave?

A

A wave coming from simple harmonic motion

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21
Q

What is noise?

A

Sound that lacks a discernible pitch

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22
Q

Define frequency

A

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

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23
Q

Define pitch

A

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

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24
Q

What is the fundamental frequency?

A

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

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25
Define Hertz (Hz)
The unit of frequency, equal to one cycle per second; used to measure pitch
26
What is a decibel?
The unit we use to measure loudness and amplitude
27
Define loudness
The psychoacoustic perception of amplitude
28
Define amplitude
The distance between crest and trough of each wave
29
What is timbre?
The perceived sound quality of a musical note, sound, or tone
30
What is natural frequency?
The frequency at which an object in its natural state wants to resonate
31
What are harmonics/overtones/partials?
Frequencies that are multiples of the fundamental frequency (1st harmonic = fundamental frequency)
32
What are formants?
Resonant frequencies of the vocal tract; the way you shape your mouth to create certain vowels/consonants/sounds
33
What is the Singer's Formant?
Created by clustering together the third, fourth, and fifth formats in a narrow frequency range; creates a bell-like ringing quality
34
In what frequency range does the Singer's Formant sit in?
Between 2,400 and 3,200 Hz
35
Explain formant tuning
Modifying the vowel to make certain vowel and note combinations sound better and easier to sing
36
What is a register break?
The sudden shift from one register to another
37
What is the M1-M2 Passaggio?
Register transition for all voice types between D4 and G4 Secondo passaggio for males, primo passaggio for females
38
What is a sound spectrum graph?
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
What is a spectogram?
A graph that includes the dimensions of frequency, amplitude, and time
40
What is the Treble Secondo Passaggio?
A resonance shift that sits around E5-F5 Where the first formant of [a] is
41
In a way your students can understand, can you explain vocal resonance?
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
What are the vowel formants?
F1 and F2
43
What are the brighter, or more forward, vowels?
[i, I, e, E, a]
44
What are the darker, or more back, vowels?
[ɔ,ʊ,o,u]
45
Define pure tone
A tone with pressure changes that can be described as a single sine wave
46
Define complex tone
When two or more sounds of different frequencies are combined; multiple pure tones
47
Define vibrato
An oscillation in pitch, usually about a half step; adds to richness of tone
48
What is a tremolo?
When the vibrato rate is too fast; sounds harsh and tight
49
What is a wobble?
When the vibrato extent (pitch) is too wide
50
What can everyone do to care for their voice?
Hydration! Allow your voice to rest Use appropriate breathing techniques Refrain from smoking
51
What can singers do to care for their voice?
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
What symptoms would prompt you to suggest a student see a medical professional?
If vocal pain does not go away after 48 hours of vocal rest | Before starting any therapy or medication for symptoms of pain
53
What is an otolaryngologist?
A Ears, Nose, and Throat doctor | Help with allergies, hearing loss, sinus infections...
54
What is a laryngologist?
Doctor specialized in the voice, voice disorders, and swallowing
55
When we speak of vocal resonance, to what physical event are we referring?
When sound from the vocal folds is amplified and enriched as it passes through the vocal tract
56
What do we mean when we say a singer has "good resonance?"
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
True or False: Our vocal folds create pure tones, consisting of a single frequency
False
58
The first harmonic is called the _____ frequency. It is associated with the pitch being sung.
Fundamental
59
A resonance frequency region of the vocal tract may also be called:
A formant
60
Our psychoacoustic perception of _____ comes from formats one and two as determined by changes in jaw, tongue, and lip position
Vowels
61
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.
Singer's Formant
62
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.
True
63
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.
False: Vibrato is a function of nerve impulses in the larynx.
64
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.
True: "Straight tone" is only the listener's perception and is not physiologically attainable.
65
Accurate vowel production depends on:
Point of tongue elevation Degree of tongue elevation Amount of jaw opening Lip shape
66
Which vowel has the highest and most forward tongue positions?
[i]
67
Which vowel has the flattest or lowest tongue position?
[E]
68
The most common problems in vowel formation have to do with which articulator?
Jaw; excessive movement
69
True or False: singing a vowel unproperly can cause singers to seem out of tune.
True
70
Why do voice cracks or breaks occur?
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
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."
True
72
True or False: In M1 the sound is amplified by the chest cavity and in M2 the sound resonates through the cranium.
False
73
How do the vocal folds behave differently in M1 compared to M2?
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
What are the two primary factors that contribute to voice breaks?
Laryngeal adjustments and resonance feedback.
75
when transitioning between chest and head voice, what resonance strategy is recommended to avoid voice cracks?
Modifying towards closed, darker vowels to lower the first formant so that the second harmonic (H2) does not land on it.
76
True or False: Each person possesses a range of pitches that can be produced with either mode as the sound source.
True: Within the passaggio, singers can use M1 or M2
77
According to Davids/La Tour, successful enunciation of consonants can be a challenge for two reasons. Which two reasons do they give?
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
Why are the consonants b, j, m, p, s, v, and z problematic?
They require substantial jaw or lip closing, introducing possible vowel polution.
79
The consonants v, z, l, m, n, and ng possess a characteristic which can be either a strength or a weakness. What is it?
These voiced consonants can be sung with long duration.

Vocal Techniques (2 decks)

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