Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  1998 Feb;41(2):238-245.

The Characteristics of Musical Formant and Vocal Fold Vibration in the Classical and Western-Style Singers

• Hong KH
• Park BA
• Yang YS
• Kim HK

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Professional singers have a particular "ringing" sound quality during singing, so called singer's formant. Two types of professional singers in Korea that sound very different are classical (pansori) and western style performers. The purpose of this research was to systematically analyze and compare the acoustic sound structure of both the speaking and singing voices of Korean classical singers (pansori). We also investigated the morphologic and vibratory characteristics of vocal folds using videostroboscopy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
24 classical singers and 29 western style singers were subjects. The formant frequencies, intensities and singing power ratio was evaluated for clarifying the existence of singing formant. Using laryngeal stroboscopy, the vibratory characteristics were evaluated.
RESULTS
The all formant intensities were incraesed in the classical singers, but typical increase of third and fourth formant in the western style singers. The singing power ratio was smaller in the western style singers. Most of classical singers showed abnormal vibratory patterns.
CONCLUSION
The western style singers have typical singing formant during singing, but not in the classical singers. Most of classical singers showed abnormal vibratory patterns of vocal folds during phonation, but usually normal vibration in the western style singers.

Keyword

Musical formants; Vocal fold vibration; Classical singers; Western style singers

MeSH Terms

Acoustics
Korea
Music*
Phonation
Singing*
Stroboscopy
Vibration*
Vocal Cords*
Voice