Affirming Vocal Resonance in Carnatic Singers Using Auditory Perception and Formant Frequency Measures

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the impact of Resonant Voice Therapy (RVT) on the perception of vocal resonance, vocal tract formant frequencies, and the Singer’s formant in trained Carnatic classical singers. Twenty-nine vocally healthy Carnatic classical singers (18 females, 11 males) underwent 21 consecutive days of RVT. The study recorded their/a/vowel phonation and singing samples before and after the therapy. Trained judges assessed vocal resonance, and Praat Software was used to analyze formant frequencies and energy distribution in the 2 kHz to 3.5 kHz range. Non-parametric tests compared pre- and post-training data. After RVT, the perception of vocal resonance ratings for phonation samples was significantly improved. Significant differences were observed for all formants in phonation and the first, third, and fourth formants in singing. Singer’s formant manifestation increased post-training, particularly in male singers, with higher peak amplitudes. RVT-induced vocal tract changes, primarily in the pharyngeal cavity, lead to altered formant frequencies post-training. These effects may take time to manifest in overt singing. Furthermore, this study provides evidence for the presence of Singer’s formant in Carnatic singers, confirming the unique vocal characteristics of this music tradition.

KEYWORDS:

• Perceptual vocal resonance
• Carnatic singers
• resonant voice therapy
• vocal resonance

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary materials

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/23268263.2024.2347007

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Revathi Raveendran

Revathi Raveendran is currently working as an Assistant Professor in Speech-Language Pathology at JSS Institute of Speech & Hearing, Mysuru, India. She is also pursuing her PhD focusing on vocal resonance in Indian Carnatic Singers at All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysuru, India. With numerous national and international publications and conference presentations, her expertise spans speech acoustics, supra segmental, voice sciences, and voice care in professional voice users. Beyond academia, her passion for Carnatic singing drives her exploration of vocal health, techniques, and pedagogy, making her a holistic practitioner integrating research and performance.

Krishna Yeshoda

Krishna Yeshoda PhD, serves as an esteemed Associate Professor in Speech Sciences. Dr. Yeshoda has 25 years of experience in teaching undergraduate and graduate programs, mentoring dissertations, and supervising doctoral theses. Her multifaceted expertise spans clinical services, training, research, and public education, with a special focus on voice sciences and disorders, anatomy and physiology of voice and speech mechanism, acoustics analyses of voice and speech, professional voice and its care, speech production, acoustic phonetics, and forensic speaker verification. Dr. Yeshoda has also made significant contributions to the field through numerous national and international publications, solidifying her position as a distinguished academic and researcher in the realm of speech sciences.