The vibration in a singer's voice is primarily caused by the oscillation of the vocal cords (or vocal folds) located in the larynx (voice box). When air from the lungs passes through the closed vocal cords, it causes them to vibrate, producing sound. Here’s a breakdown of the process:
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Breath Support: When a singer breathes in, the diaphragm and other muscles expand the lungs, creating a reservoir of air. Upon exhalation, the singer pushes this air out through the trachea.
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Vocal Cord Vibration: As the exhaled air passes through the closed vocal cords, it builds up pressure. When the pressure is sufficient, it forces the vocal cords apart, and they then snap back together due to their elasticity. This rapid opening and closing creates sound waves, which vibrate at various frequencies depending on how tightly the vocal cords are stretched and how fast they vibrate.
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Pitch and Tone: The frequency of these vibrations determines the pitch of the sound produced. Higher tension and shorter length of the vocal cords result in higher pitches, whereas lower tension and longer length produce lower pitches. The sound quality or tone can also be affected by how the singer shapes their mouth and throat.
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Resonance: After the initial sound is produced by the vocal cords, it travels through the throat, mouth, and nasal cavities, where it resonates and amplifies. The shape and size of these resonating cavities can alter the tonal quality, resulting in the unique voice characteristics of each singer.
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Articulation: Finally, the movement of the tongue, lips, and soft palate affects the clarity of the sound and the specific words being sung, contributing to the overall vibration and expressiveness of the singer's voice.
Overall, the combination of vocal cord vibration, breath control, resonance, and articulation all contribute to the vibatory aspect of singing.
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