OBJECTIVES We previously showed that a trained tenor's voice has the conventional singer's formant at the region of 3 kHz and another energy peak at 8-9 kHz. Singers in other operatic voice ranges are assumed to have the same peak in their singing and speaking voice. However, to date, no specific measurement of this has been made. METHODS Tenors, baritones, sopranos and mezzo sopranos were ch...

Vibrato is one of the most expressive aesthetic characteristics of singing voice. Indicative of good voice quality is typical of lyrical singing but it is also found in others styles of popular music. Acoustically, vibrato is defined as a long-term periodic modulation of the fundamental frequency. It occurs as a result of the laryngeal muscular system and is comprised of 3 main parameters: rate...

The transition between 'chest' and 'head' register is essential for male opera singers in order to reach the higher pitches. The 'passaggio', which is a scale passage where this transition takes place, but also a maneuver of register equalization, is typically difficult to learn. Studies on parameters for a definition of this transition are restricted to a small number of singers so far. Audio,...

Several studies have shown that motor-skill training over extended time periods results in reorganization of neural networks and changes in brain morphology. Yet, little is known about training-induced adaptive changes in the vocal system, which is largely subserved by intrinsic reflex mechanisms. We investigated highly accomplished opera singers, conservatory level vocal students, and laymen d...

Intraperiodic formant modulations in spoken and sung vowels from four Finnish male opera singers were analyzed by using analytic filtering method and modified covariance type of linear prediction. Both methods revealed clear formant modulations. Differences were seen between spoken and sung samples and between individuals.

Breathing strategy is generally regarded as an important factor in operatic singing, because it is assumed to affect phonation. If so, professional singers should exhibit well-controlled, replicable breathing movements when repeating the same phrase. The purpose of the present study was to investigate to what extent professional opera singers show a consistent, exhalatory breathing behavior in ...

This paper gives a brief summary of acoustical theory based on human perception. It then uses this theory to discuss the design and performance data of electronic acoustic enhancement systems installed in a number of opera houses and concert halls. The installations include the Deutches Staatsoper in Berlin, the Hummingbird Center in Toronto, and the Adelaide Festival Center Theater in Adelaide...