Observations on Vertical Laryngeal Positions in Classical Singing

Kåre Bjørkøy, Viggo Pettersen, Hans Torp and Frank Ekeberg

INTRODUCTION: Alterations in Vertical laryngeal Positions(VLP) during singing and speech is a basic precondition for changes in vocal acoustics and coloring. VLP alterations are reflected in various breathing strategies. A holistic understand of these dynamics is of vital importance to voice pedagogy and therapy.
By this study we aim to observe VLP as a function of breathing patterns, vocal coloring and expression. Ultrasound registration of laryngeal position combined with a simultaneous registration of tension activity in upper and lower respiratory muscles by surface electromyography introduce a noninvasive method for this purpose.

METHOD AND MATERIAL: A registration method where ultrasound, surface electromyography and audio recordings are combined in a coordinated simultaneous action:
a.Ultrasound linear array probe registrated the vertical movements in classic singing
b. Surface EMG activity in M Sternocleidomastoideus,Upper Trapezius,and strain gauge sensors at upper and lower Thorax and Abdomen.
c. Audio recordings with a shotgun microphone to minimize laboratory noise. As test persons four classical singers, age 23 — 35, were performing vocalises:
a. ascending and descending glizzando octaves using a typical emotional expression.
b. octave vocalises changing between mezzoforte and pianissimo in a neutral expression.

Preliminary results: Ultrasound registrations of VLP gave adequate results for most of the test persons. Although it is obvious that the individual test persons`physiology and age sometimes give unclear pictures of VLP for research purpose. The feasibility and problems with using ultrasound for this purpose will be discussed further at the conference.
VLP in this test objects seems to be determined by diaphragm activity at large, and affects both Fo and the formant frequencies. Within the test group VLP varies with sex , voice Fach and singing technique.

Kåre Bjørkøy*, Viggo Pettersen**, Hans Torp*** and Frank Ekeberg****
Norwegian University of Technology and Science, Trondheim, Norway
** University of Stavanger, Norway
*** Norwegian University of Technology and Science
**** Norwegian University of Technology and Science

Address for correspondence:
Kåre Bjørkøy, Dept. of Music, Norwegian University of Technology and Science, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
e-mail: kare.bjorkoy@hf.ntnu.no