Vowels, Formants

Question 0

Partials

Answer 0

all of the sine waves that make up a complex tone (harmonic & inharmonic)

Question 1

Harmonics - H1,2,3,4

Answer 1

Multiples of the Fundamental Frequency

Question 2

Overtones

Answer 2

all of the sine waves except the fundamental (harmonic and inharmonic)

Question 3

The Harmonic Series

Answer 3

F0(H1)
8ve
5th
8ve
3rd
5th
b7
8ve
2nd
3rd
#4
5th

Question 4

Source-Filter Theory

Answer 4

Vocal Folds: Source of acoustic energy
Their movement (as well as their contact and closure time) alters transglottal airflow

Vocal Tract: Selective sound filter

Question 5

Formants

Answer 5

Resonances of the vocal tract

Question 6

Singer’s Formant

Answer 6

(actually a formant cluster) - around 2500-3200 Hz
F3, F4, F5
Control timbre

Question 7

Why vowel modification?

Answer 7

Vowels have certain acoustic properties that make them more effective in some pitch ranges and less effective in others, hence the need to modify

Question 8

Male Classical Tuning

Answer 8

male singers typically change tuning from F1/H2 to F2/H3 when moving into and above 2nd passaggio on back vowels

Question 9

Female classical tuning

Answer 9

Female singers typically change tuning from F2/H2 to F1/F0 when moving into and above 2nd passaggio

Question 10

Male non-classical tuning

Answer 10

male singers will remain in F1/H2 tuning (back vowels) into and above their 2nd passaggio, a sort of “male belt,” but ultimately transition to F2/H3 tuning (DELAYED PASSAGGIO)

Question 11

Increase vocal tract length (round lips or lower larynx)

Answer 11

All formant frequencies uniformly decrease

Question 12

Decrease vocal tract length (spread lips or raise larynx)

Answer 12

All formant frequencies uniformly increase

Question 13

Mouth constriction

Answer 13

lowers F1, raises F2

Question 14

Pharyngeal constriction

Answer 14

raises F1, lowers F2

Question 15

Female Non-Classical Tuning

Answer 15

female singers remain in F2/H2 tuning into and above their 2nd passaggio, “female belt,” - sometimes use F1/H2 (Yell Belt) or F2/H3 pre-passaggio in belt mode

Question 16

Male class Formant averages

Answer 16

I 303,2127
E 494,1786
A 689,1172
O 455,867
U 311,798

Question 17

Female class Formant averages

Answer 17

I 352,2350
E 598,2107
A 843,1329 (normal 800,1200)
O 560,996
U 379,796

Question 18

Overall Formant Averages

Answer 18

i 330,2240
e 550,1950
a 800,1200 (not our class)
o 510,930
u 345,800