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"Voice" redirects here. For other uses, see Voice (disambiguation).
The spectrogram of the human voice reveals its rich harmonic content.
The spectrogram of the human voice reveals its rich harmonic content. The spectrogram is the result of calculating the Frequency spectrum of Windowed frames of a compound signal. In Acoustics and Telecommunication, the harmonic of a Wave is a component Frequency of the signal that is an Integer

The human voice consists of sound made by a human being using the vocal folds for talking, singing, laughing, crying, screaming, etc. Sound' is Vibration transmitted through a Solid, Liquid, or Gas; particularly sound means those vibrations composed of Frequencies The voice organ is the part of the Human body responsible for the generation of Sound, usually in the form of speech or Singing. Human beings, humans or man (Origin 1590–1600 L homō man OL hemō the earthly one (see Humus The vocal folds, also known commonly as vocal cords, are composed of twin infoldings of Mucous membrane stretched horizontally across the Larynx. Speech refers to the processes associated with the production and perception of Sounds used in Spoken language. Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with Speech. The term crying (pronounced from Middle English crien or Old French crier) most commonly refers to the act of shedding Tears as A scream, shout, holler, vociferation, or yell is a loud human audio vocalization in which the person makes a loud cry by expelling air from Human voice is specifically that part of human sound production in which the vocal folds (vocal cords) are the primary noise source. Generally speaking, the voice can be subdivided into three parts; the lungs, the vocal folds, and the articulators. The lung (the pump) must produce adequate airflow to vibrate vocal folds (air is the fuel of the voice). lung is the essential Respiration organ in air-breathing Animals including most Tetrapods a few Fish and a few Snails The most primitive The vocal folds (vocal cords) are the vibrators, neuromuscular units that ‘fine tune’ pitch and tone. A vibrator is a mechanical device that is designed to generate vibrations The vibration is often generated by an Electric motor with an unbalanced Pitch represents the perceived Fundamental frequency of a sound Tone is the use of pitch in Language to distinguish lexical or grammatical meaning—that is to distinguish or inflect words The articulators (vocal tract consisting of tongue, palate, cheek, lips, etc. The vocal tract is that cavity in animals and humans where sound that is produced at the sound source ( Larynx in mammals syrinx in birds is filtered The tongue is the large bundle of Skeletal muscles on the floor of the Mouth that manipulates Food for chewing and swallowing (deglutition The soft palate (or velum, or muscular palate) is the soft tissue constituting the back of the roof of the Mouth. Cheeks ( Latin: buccae) constitute the area of the Face below the Eyes and between the Nose and the left or right Ear Lips are a visible body part at the mouth of humans and many animals ) articulate and filter the sound. In Linguistics ( Articulatory phonetics) manner of articulation describes how the tongue lips and other speech organs are involved in making a sound make A band-pass filter is a device that passes frequencies within a certain range and rejects ( Attenuates frequencies outside that range

The vocal folds, in combination with the articulators, are capable of producing highly intricate arrays of sound. [1][2][3] The tone of voice may be modulated to suggest emotions such as anger, surprise, or happiness. An emotion is a mental and physiological state associated with a wide variety of feelings thoughts and behaviours Anger is an emotional state that may range from minor irritation to intense rage Happiness is an Emotion associated with feelings ranging from contentment and satisfaction to Bliss and intense Joy. [4][5] Singers use the human voice as an instrument for creating music. Vocal music is Music performed by one or more Singers with or without non-vocal instrumental accompaniment Music is an Art form in which the medium is Sound organized in Time. [6]

Contents

Voice types and the folds (cords) themselves

Main article: Vocal folds
A labeled anatomical diagram of the vocal folds or cords.
A labeled anatomical diagram of the vocal folds or cords. The vocal folds, also known commonly as vocal cords, are composed of twin infoldings of Mucous membrane stretched horizontally across the Larynx. The vocal folds, also known commonly as vocal cords, are composed of twin infoldings of Mucous membrane stretched horizontally across the Larynx.

Men and women have different vocal folds sizes; adult male voices are usually lower-pitched and have larger folds. The male vocal folds (which would be measured vertically in the opposite diagram), are between 17 mm and 25 mm in length. [7] Matching the female body, which on the whole has less muscle than the male, females have smaller folds. The female vocal folds are between 12. 5 mm and 17. 5 mm in length.

As seen in the illustration, the folds are located just above the trachea (the windpipe which travels from the lungs). The traceartes, or windpipe, is a tube that has an inner diameter of about 20-25 mm and a length of about 10-16 cm in humans Food and drink do not pass through the cords but instead pass through the esophagus, an unlinked tube. The esophagus or oesophagus (see American and British English spelling differences) sometimes known as the gullet, is an organ in Both tubes are separated by the epiglottis, a "flap" that covers the opening of the trachea while swallowing. The epiglottis is a lid-like flap of Elastic cartilage tissue covered with a Mucous membrane, attached to the root of the Tongue. When food goes down through the cords and trachea (can occur when a person inhales while swallowing), aspiration and possibly choking result. In Medicine, aspiration is the entry of secretions or foreign material into the trachea and Lungs The patient may either inhale the material Choking is the mechanical obstruction of the flow of air from the environment into the lungs

The folds in both sexes are within the larynx. The larynx (plural larynges) colloquially known as the voicebox, is an organ in the Neck of Mammals involved in protection of the They are attached at the back (side nearest the spinal cord) to the arytenoid cartilages, and at the front (side under the chin) to the thyroid cartilage. The arytenoid Cartilages are a pair of small three-sided Pyramids which form part of the Larynx, to which the Vocal cords are attached The thyroid is one of the largest Endocrine glands in the body They have no outer edge as they blend into the side of the breathing tube (the illustration is out of date and does not show this well) while their inner edges or "margins" are free to vibrate (the hole). They have a three layer construction of an epithelium, vocal ligament, then muscle (vocalis muscle), which can shorten and bulge the folds. In biology and medicine epithelium is a tissue composed of cells that line the cavities and surfaces of structures throughout the body The Thyroarytenoid is a broad thin muscle which lies parallel with and lateral to the Vocal fold, and supports the wall of the ventricle and its appendix They are flat triangular bands and are pearly white in color. Above both sides of the vocal cord is the vestibular fold or false vocal cord, which has a small sac between its two folds (not illustrated). The vestibular fold ( ventricular fold, superior or false vocal cord) is one of two thick folds of mucous membrane each enclosing a narrow band of fibrous

The difference in vocal folds size between men and women means that they have differently pitched voices. Additionally, genetics also causes variances amongst the same sex, with men and women's singing voices being categorized into types. Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with Speech. For example, among men, there are basses, baritones and tenors, and contraltos, mezzo-sopranos and sopranos among women. This article is related to a series of articles under the main article Voice type. The tenor is the highest male voice within the Modal register, just above the Baritone voice This article is related to a series of articles under the main article Voice type. This article is related to a series of articles under the main article Voice type. This article is related to a series of articles under the main article Voice type. There are additional categories for operatic voices, see voice type. Opera is an art form in which Singers and Musicians perform a Dramatic work (called an opera which combines a text (called a Libretto A voice type is a particular kind of human Singing voice perceived as having certain identifying qualities or characteristics This is not the only source of difference between male and female voice. Men, generally speaking, have a larger vocal tract, which essentially gives the resultant voice a lower tonal quality. This is mostly independent of the vocal folds themselves.

Physiology and vocal timbre

The sound of each individual's voice is entirely unique not only because of the actual shape and size of an individual's vocal cords but also due to the size and shape of the rest of that person's body. Humans have vocal folds which can loosen, tighten, or change their thickness, and over which breath can be transferred at varying pressures. The shape of chest and neck, the position of the tongue, and the tightness of otherwise unrelated muscles can be altered. Any one of these actions results in a change in pitch, volume, timbre, or tone of the sound produced. Sound also resonates within different parts of the body, and an individual's size and bone structure can affect the sound produced by an individual.

Singers can also learn to project sound in certain ways so that it resonates better within their vocal tract. This is known as vocal resonation. Vocal resonation is the process by which the basic product of Phonation is enhanced in timbre and/or intensity by the air-filled cavities through which it passes on its way to Another major influence on vocal sound and production is the function of the larynx which people can manipulate in different ways to produce different sounds. These different kinds of laryngeal function are described as different kinds of vocal registers. A vocal register in the human voice is a particular series of tones produced in the same vibratory pattern of the Vocal folds and possessing the same quality [8] The primary method for singers to accomplish this is through the use of the Singer's Formant; which has been shown to match particularly well to the most sensitive part of the ear's frequency range. A formant is a peak in the Frequency spectrum of a sound caused by acoustic Resonance. The ear is the sense organ that detects Sounds The Vertebrate ear shows a common biology from Fish to Humans with variations [9][10]

Vocal registration

Main article: Vocal registration

Vocal registration refers to the system of vocal registers within the human voice. A vocal register in the human voice is a particular series of tones produced in the same vibratory pattern of the Vocal folds and possessing the same quality A register in the human voice is a particular series of tones, produced in the same vibratory pattern of the vocal folds, and possessing the same quality. The vocal folds, also known commonly as vocal cords, are composed of twin infoldings of Mucous membrane stretched horizontally across the Larynx. Registers originate in laryngeal function. The larynx (plural larynges) colloquially known as the voicebox, is an organ in the Neck of Mammals involved in protection of the They occur because the vocal folds are capable of producing several different vibratory patterns. Each of these vibratory patterns appears within a particular range of pitches and produces certain characteristic sounds. Human voices may be classified according to their vocal range &mdash the highest and lowest pitches that they can produce [11] The term register can be somewhat confusing at it encompasses several aspects of the human voice. The term register can be used to refer to any of the following[12]:

In linguistics, a register language is a language which combines tone and vowel phonation into a single phonological system. Linguistics is the scientific study of Language, encompassing a number of sub-fields Tone is the use of pitch in Language to distinguish lexical or grammatical meaning—that is to distinguish or inflect words Phonation has slightly different meanings depending on the subfield of Phonetics. Phonology ( Greek φωνή (phōnē voice sound + λόγος (lógos word speech subject of discussion is the systematic use of sound to encode meaning

Within speech pathology the term vocal register has three constituent elements: a certain vibratory pattern of the vocal folds, a certain series of pitches, and a certain type of sound. Speech-language pathology is the study of disorders that affect a person's Speech, Language, cognition voice swallowing ( Dysphagia) and the rehabilitative Speech pathologists identify four vocal registers based on the physiology of laryngeal function: the vocal fry register, the modal register, the falsetto register, and the whistle register. Creaky voiceThe vocal fry register (also known as pulse register, laryngealisation, pulse phonation, creak, glottal fry, glottal See also Voice (phonetics, Vocal register Modal voice is the Vocal register used most frequently in speech and singing in most languages The term falsetto (Italian diminutive of falso, false refers to the Vocal register occupying the frequency range just above the Modal voice register and The whistle register (also called the flageolet register or whistle tone) is the highest register of the Human voice lying above the Modal This view is also adopted by many vocal pedagogists. [12]

Vocal resonation

Main article: Vocal resonation

Vocal resonation is the process by which the basic product of phonation is enhanced in timbre and/or intensity by the air-filled cavities through which it passes on its way to the outside air. Vocal resonation is the process by which the basic product of Phonation is enhanced in timbre and/or intensity by the air-filled cavities through which it passes on its way to Various terms related to the resonation process include amplification, enrichment, enlargement, improvement, intensification, and prolongation, although in strictly scientific usage acoustic authorities would question most of them. The main point to be drawn from these terms by a singer or speaker is that the end result of resonation is, or should be, to make a better sound. [12] There are seven areas that may be listed as possible vocal resonators. In sequence from the lowest within the body to the highest, these areas are the chest, the tracheal tree, the larynx itself, the pharynx, the oral cavity, the nasal cavity, and the sinuses. [13]

Influences of the human voice

Main articles: Voice projection and Evolution

The twelve tone musical scale, upon which the majority of the world's music is based, may have its roots in the sound of the human voice during the course of evolution, according to a study published by the New Scientist. Voice projection is the strength of speaking or Singing whereby the Voice is used loudly and clearly. eVolution is the third Album by eLDee, it was due to be released in 2008 The chromatic scale is a Musical scale with twelve pitches each a Semitone or Half step apart eVolution is the third Album by eLDee, it was due to be released in 2008 Publishing is the process of production and dissemination of Literature or Information &ndash the activity of making information available for public view New Scientist is a weekly International science magazine and website covering recent developments in science and technology for a general English -speaking Analysis of recorded speech samples found peaks in acoustic energy that mirrored the distances between notes in the twelve-tone scale. [14]

Voice disorders

Main articles: Vocal loading and Voice disorders

There are many disorders which affect the human voice; these include speech impediments, and growths and |lesions on the vocal folds. Vocal loading is the stress inflicted on the Speech organs when speaking for long periods Voice disorders are medical conditions affecting the production of speech. Voice disorders are medical conditions affecting the production of speech. Speech disorders or speech impediments, as they are also called are a type of Communication disorders where 'normal' speech is disrupted A vocal cord nodule (or "Nodules of vocal cords" is a Nodule or mass of tissue that grows on the Vocal folds (vocal cords The vocal folds, also known commonly as vocal cords, are composed of twin infoldings of Mucous membrane stretched horizontally across the Larynx. Talking improperly for long periods of time causes vocal loading, which is stress inflicted on the speech organs. Vocal loading is the stress inflicted on the Speech organs when speaking for long periods Speech organs produce the many sounds needed for Language. Organs used include the Lips Teeth, Tongue, Alveolar ridge When vocal injury is done, often a ENT specialist may be able to help, but the best treatment is the prevention of injuries through good vocal production. Otolaryngology is the branch of Medicine that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of Ear, Nose, Throat, and head and neck disorders Voice therapy is generally delivered by a Speech-language pathologist. Speech-language pathology is the study of disorders that affect a person's Speech, Language, cognition voice swallowing ( Dysphagia) and the rehabilitative

Hoarseness or breathiness that lasts for more than two weeks is a common symptom of an underlying voice disorder and should be investigated medically.

Footnotes

  1. ^ Titze, I. R. (2008). The human instrument. Sci. Am. 298 (1):94-101. PM 18225701
  2. ^ Titze, I. R. (1994). Principles of Voice Production, Prentice Hall (currently published by NCVS. org), ISBN 978-0137178933.
  3. ^ Titze, I. R. (2006). The Myoelatic Aerodynamic Theory of Phonation, Iowa City:National Center for Voice and Speech, 2006.
  4. ^ Smith BL, Brown BL, Strong WJ, Rencher AC. (1975) Effects of speech rate on personality perception. Lang Speech. 18(2):145-52 PMID: 1195957
  5. ^ Williams CE, Stevens KN. (1972). Emotions and speech: some acoustical correlates. J Acoust Soc Am. 52(4):1238-50 PMID: 4638039
  6. ^ I. R. Titze, S. Mapes, and B. Story. (1994) Acoustics of the Tenor High Voice. J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 95 (2):1133-1142. PMID: 8132903
  7. ^ Thurman, Leon & Welch, ed. , Graham (2000), Bodymind & voice: Foundations of voice education (revised ed. ), Collegeville, Minnesota: The VoiceCare Network et al. , ISBN 0874141230
  8. ^ Vennard, William (1967). Singing: The Mechanism and the Technic. Carl Fischer. ISBN 13: 978-0825800559.  
  9. ^ E. J. Hunter and I. R. Titze. Overlap of Hearing and Voicing Ranges in Singing. J. Singing 61 (4):387-392, 2004.
  10. ^ E. J. Hunter, J. G. Svec, and I. R. Titze. Comparison of the Produced and Perceived Voice Range Profiles in Untrained and Trained Classical Singers. J. Voice 2005.
  11. ^ Large, John (February/March 1972). "Towards an Integrated Physiologic-Acoustic Theory of Vocal Registers". The NATS Bulletin 28: 30-35.  
  12. ^ a b c McKinney, James (1994). The Diagnosis and Correction of Vocal Faults. Genovex Music Group. ISBN 13: 978-1565939400.  
  13. ^ Greene, Margaret; Lesley Mathieson (2001). The Voice and its Disorders. John Wiley & Sons; 6th Edition edition. ISBN 13: 978-1861561961.  
  14. ^ Musical roots may lie in human voice - 06 August 2003 - New Scientist


Further reading

See also

External links

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