Singing Vocabulary List Flashcards
Resigration
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.
Passagio
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.
Chest Voice
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.
Head Voice
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.
Mode 1 (M1)
Chest voice. Mode refers to the pattern of vibration that the vocal folds make (high amplitude and thick mass in M1).
Mode 2 (M2)
Head Voice. Mode refers to the pattern of vibration that the vocal folds make (low amplitude and thin mass in M2).
TA Dominant
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.
CT Dominant
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.
Falsetto
A quality where the vocal fold contact is very light -typically in the upper part of the range.
Belt
A vocal set up that is thick fold (chest voice) dominant and heavier/louder/more sustained than typical chest voice. A high intensity sound.
Mix Belt
A sound that is loud and driven/exciting but does not have the same level of thick fold production of belt.
Mix
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.
Speech Mix
A chest dominant sound that is conversational and gives the illusion of speech/the spoken voice.
Resonance
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.
Timbre
The tonal colour of a sound/ voice.
Twang
A tonal colour (resonance) that is bright and brassy.
Vowel Modification
Changing the vowel sound to increase ease within a given vocal set up.
Open Vowel
A vowel that is wider and more spread in shape (with the tongue far away from the roof of the mouth)
Closed Vowel
A vowel that is narrower in shape (with the tongue close to the roof of the mouth)
Hoot
A sound that has a darker timbre and is typically made on a closed vowel in a head voice quality.
Vocal Fold Closure
How the vocal folds meet to create sound. The amount of closure impacts the sound quality produced (for example breathy or clear).
Aspirate
A sound that is breathy/airy
Subglottic Pressure
The air pressure that builds up below the vocal folds.
Airflow
The movement of air through the vocal folds
Semi Occluded Vocal Tract (SOVT)
A vocal tract that is narrowed so some of the airflow is blocked from exiting the mouth (for example ‘vvvv’)
SPLAT
(Singers Please Loosen Abdominal Tension) – Releasing the abdominal wall upon inhalation and gradually contracting it upon exhalation.
Cartilage
A tough, flexible tissue that lines joints and gives structure to the nose, ears, larynx, and other parts of the body.
Trachea
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.
Oesophagus
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.
Diaphragm
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
Thyroid cartilage
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.
Cricoid
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.
Arytenoids
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.
Epiglottis
The leaf-shaped flap of cartilage that covers over the trachea during swallowing so that food does not enter the lungs.
Pharynx
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.
Tonsilitis
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.
Sinusitis
An infection where the sinuses (small, empty spaces behind your cheekbones and forehead) become swollen.
Laryngitis
Laryngitis is inflammation of the larynx. Symptoms of laryngitis include a croaky voice, difficulty speaking and a sore throat.
