Singing Vocabulary List

Question 1

Resigration

Answer 1

A particular part of the vocal range –such as upper, middle, lower, or head and chest voice. A set of tones that are produced by a particular pattern of vibration of the vocal folds.

Question 2

Passagio

Answer 2

The transition between vocal registers (head voice and chest voice). This can happen on different pitches for different voices. This area can feel weak or unstable, and there can be a shift in the power of the sound.

Question 3

Chest Voice

Answer 3

A vocal set up/quality that is characterized by thicker vocal folds and a sound that is speech like. Typically used in the lower and middle part of the voice but can be taken higher.

Question 4

Head Voice

Answer 4

A vocal set up/quality that is characterized by thinner vocal folds. Typically used in the upper part of the voice but can be taken lower.

Question 5

Mode 1 (M1)

Answer 5

Chest voice. Mode refers to the pattern of vibration that the vocal folds make (high amplitude and thick mass in M1).

Question 6

Mode 2 (M2)

Answer 6

Head Voice. Mode refers to the pattern of vibration that the vocal folds make (low amplitude and thin mass in M2).

Question 7

TA Dominant

Answer 7

A vocal set up that has thicker vocal fold mass and is more speech like. Another term for ‘Chest Voice’. TA refers to Thyroarytenoid – the muscle that is most active in this set up.

Question 8

CT Dominant

Answer 8

A vocal set up that has thinner vocal fold mass. Another term for ‘Head Voice’. CT refers to Cricothyroid – the muscle that is most active in this set up.

Question 9

Falsetto

Answer 9

A quality where the vocal fold contact is very light -typically in the upper part of the range.

Question 10

Belt

Answer 10

A vocal set up that is thick fold (chest voice) dominant and heavier/louder/more sustained than typical chest voice. A high intensity sound.

Question 11

Mix Belt

Answer 11

A sound that is loud and driven/exciting but does not have the same level of thick fold production of belt.

Question 12

Mix

Answer 12

A sound quality in either register (head or chest dominant) that balances different levels of brightness and thickness to create the illusion of a heavier sound.

Question 13

Speech Mix

Answer 13

A chest dominant sound that is conversational and gives the illusion of speech/the spoken voice.

Question 14

Resonance

Answer 14

Vibrations that occur from changing the space/shape within the vocal tract – this alters the tonal colour (timbre) and intensity of a sound. For example, making it brighter, darker, warmer etc.

Question 15

Timbre

Answer 15

The tonal colour of a sound/ voice.

Question 16

Twang

Answer 16

A tonal colour (resonance) that is bright and brassy.

Question 17

Vowel Modification

Answer 17

Changing the vowel sound to increase ease within a given vocal set up.

Question 18

Open Vowel

Answer 18

A vowel that is wider and more spread in shape (with the tongue far away from the roof of the mouth)

Question 19

Closed Vowel

Answer 19

A vowel that is narrower in shape (with the tongue close to the roof of the mouth)

Question 20

Hoot

Answer 20

A sound that has a darker timbre and is typically made on a closed vowel in a head voice quality.

Question 21

Vocal Fold Closure

Answer 21

How the vocal folds meet to create sound. The amount of closure impacts the sound quality produced (for example breathy or clear).

Question 22

Aspirate

Answer 22

A sound that is breathy/airy

Question 23

Subglottic Pressure

Answer 23

The air pressure that builds up below the vocal folds.

Question 24

Airflow

Answer 24

The movement of air through the vocal folds

Question 25

Semi Occluded Vocal Tract (SOVT)

Answer 25

A vocal tract that is narrowed so some of the airflow is blocked from exiting the mouth (for example ‘vvvv’)

Question 26

SPLAT

Answer 26

(Singers Please Loosen Abdominal Tension) – Releasing the abdominal wall upon inhalation and gradually contracting it upon exhalation.

Question 27

Cartilage

Answer 27

A tough, flexible tissue that lines joints and gives structure to the nose, ears, larynx, and other parts of the body.

Question 28

Trachea

Answer 28

A tube that connects the larynx to the lungs . The trachea is often referred to as the ‘windpipe’. It's a key part of the respiratory system.

Question 29

Oesophagus

Answer 29

The oesophagus is a muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. When swallowing food, the walls of the oesophagus squeeze together (contract). This action is called peristalsis which is responsible for moving food down the oesophagus to the stomach.

Question 30

Diaphragm

Answer 30

The diaphragm, located below the lungs, is the primary muscle of respiration. It is a large dome-shaped muscle that contracts rhythmically and continually, and most of the time involuntaril

Question 31

Thyroid cartilage

Answer 31

The largest cartilage of the larynx that functions to house and protect the vocal folds. It has a range of movement that allows the structure to tilt forward.

Question 32

Cricoid

Answer 32

A ring-shaped cartilage the larynx that sits below the Thyroid Cartilage. It provides structure to the top of the trachea and provides a pivot point for the Thyroid Cartilage.

Question 33

Arytenoids

Answer 33

Either of a pair of cartilages at the back of the larynx used in the production of different kinds of voice quality. They are the hinges that bring the vocal folds together.

Question 34

Epiglottis

Answer 34

The leaf-shaped flap of cartilage that covers over the trachea during swallowing so that food does not enter the lungs.

Question 35

Pharynx

Answer 35

A hollow, muscular tube inside the neck that starts behind the nose and opens into the larynx and oesophagus. The three parts of the pharyx are the nasopharynx, oropharynx and hypopharynx.

Question 36

Tonsilitis

Answer 36

An infection that causes the tonsils to become inflamed, swollen, and red. The tonsils are two oval-shaped tissue pads located at the back of the throat that help protect the body from infection. When the tonsils become infected, they can stop the infection from spreading further into the body.

Question 37

Sinusitis

Answer 37

An infection where the sinuses (small, empty spaces behind your cheekbones and forehead) become swollen.

Question 38

Laryngitis

Answer 38

Laryngitis is inflammation of the larynx. Symptoms of laryngitis include a croaky voice, difficulty speaking and a sore throat.