Artificially lengthened and constricted vocal tract in vocal training methods

Abstract

It is common practice in vocal training to make use of vocal exercise techniques that involve partial occlusion of the vocal tract. Various techniques are used; some of them form an occlusion within the front part of the oral cavity or at the lips. Another vocal exercise technique involves lengthening the vocal tract; for example, the method of phonation into small tubes. This essay presents some studies made on the effects of various vocal training methods that involve an artificially lengthened and constricted vocal tract. The influence of sufficient acoustic impedance on vocal fold vibration and economical voice production is presented.

• Acoustic-aerodynamic interaction
• acoustic-mechanic interaction
• decreased laryngeal load
• epilaryngeal narrowing
• impedance
• lowered phonation threshold pressure
• phonatory balance
• reactance
• subglottal pressure
• transglottal pressure
• vocal economy