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Steadiness of Singing Scales by Untrained Adult Females

Bretl, Michelle Mary
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1522340508253471

Abstract Details

2018, Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, Communication Disorders.
As a singer, register transitions can be challenging to navigate. A singer must perceive where the transition is occurring and apply adjustments to smooth the transition. Within register transitions, one may experience various types of vocal instabilities. The primary aim of this research was to study the production mechanisms characterizing vocal instabilities in the untrained female singer. This was an exploratory study that included five untrained female singers who produced “normal” octave scales as well as scales as smoothly as they could. Simultaneous recordings of airflow, microphone, and EGG signals were analyzed. The scales were divided into three groups based on the perceptual consensus of level of smoothness. Unsteady scales contained aphonic segments, abrupt registration fluctuations, obvious intensity changes, and unexpected fundamental frequency (fo) variations. Subtler unsteady scales exhibited noticeable but “understated” quality changes, increased speed of fo changes or overshoots, and smaller yet evident intensity variations. The participants often produced perceivably smooth scales with minimal instability. Results suggest that untrained female singers are capable of producing perceptually smooth scales across register transitions. However, within some of these perceptually smooth scales, subtle changes and disturbances were noticed that result in the perception of minor instabilities. These subtleties are often seen more clearly within the airflow signal, EGG signal shifts, and fo rate of change than are aurally perceptible. For the unsteady scales, the more obvious instabilities were seen within nearly all measures, most notably in the airflow, fo, and intensity contours, and EGG waveform width and height. This study offers insights into a wider range of steadiness of vocal production where objective recordings reveal subtle changes that are difficult to hear.
Ronald Scherer (Advisor)
Jason Whitfield (Committee Member)
87 p.
Music; Speech Therapy
singing; untrained singer; electroglottography; aerodynamics; voice science; acoustics

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Bretl, M. M. (2018). Steadiness of Singing Scales by Untrained Adult Females [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1522340508253471

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Bretl, Michelle. Steadiness of Singing Scales by Untrained Adult Females. 2018. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1522340508253471.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Bretl, Michelle. "Steadiness of Singing Scales by Untrained Adult Females." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1522340508253471

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1522340508253471
399
© 2018, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.