Vocal tract dimensions and vocal fold vibratory characteristics of professional singers of different singing voice types

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the relationship between different singing voice types and their vocal fold vibratory characteristics and vocal tract dimensions. A total of 19 tenors, 10 baritones, 29 sopranos, and 4 mezzo-sopranos participated in the study. Electroglottography (EGG) was used to measure the vocal fold vibratory characteristics, based on which parameters including open quotient (Oq) and fundamental frequency (F0) were derived. During the experiment, the participants sang the song “Happy Birthday” with constant loudness level and at the most comfortable pitch level. A pharyngometer was used to measure singers’ vocal tract dimensions. Results showed that tenors had significantly higher Oq/F0 gradient than baritones in chest and head registers, while sopranos had generally higher Oq/F0 gradient than mezzo-sopranos in chest and head registers. Regarding vocal tract dimensions, sopranos generally exhibited greater vocal tract length and volume values than mezzo-sopranos. The present study provides insights to applying both vocal fold vibratory characteristics and vocal tract dimensions in voice classification for male and female singers.