Exploring Sound Waves and the Voice

Lauren Brendel, AP Physics 1

● Sound is a mechanical, longitudinal wave with compressions and rarefactions…

● But it can be displayed as a transverse wave for clearer understanding of its properties

Sound Wave Basics

● Maximum height/depth of wave crest/trough above or below the equilibrium point

● Determined by amount of air pressure● Relates to the volume of the sound: higher

amplitude = louder sound

Wave Qualities: Amplitude

● Number of cycles of a wave that move past a set point in a given amount of time (Hz)

● Determines pitch of a sound: higher frequency = higher pitch

Wave Qualities: Frequency

● Intervals in music have specific frequency ratios- this is what makes them sound consonant (pleasant) or dissonant (unpleasant or “conflicting”)

● Common consonant interval ratios: Octave- 2:1 (512 Hz and 256 Hz) Third- 5:4 (320 Hz and 256 Hz) Fourth- 4:3 (342 Hz and 256 Hz) Fifth- 3:2 (384 Hz and 256 Hz)

Frequency and Harmony

● The distinct character, or tone color, of an instrument or voice that distinguishes it from other sounds, even at the same pitch and volume

● Affected by two main factors: Harmonics- fundamental frequency,

dominant frequency, overtones (partials and harmonics), etc.

Envelope- attack time, decay, sustain, release

Wave Qualities: Timbre

● Unique as one voice can produce a large variety of vocal qualities

● Professional “talkers” (actors, singers, radio hosts, public speakers, etc.), whether consciously or not, try to produce a desired timbre or tone quality that is most pleasing to their listeners/is most appropriate for the job at hand

Exploring Timbre with the Voice

● developed by voice specialist Jo Estill in 1988

● based on “deconstructing the process of vocal production into control of specific structures of the vocal mechanism”

● combines methodical speech therapy techniques with artistry and creativity to produce consistent levels of vocal quality

Estill Voice Training

Estill Figures for the Voice

● True Vocal Folds: Onset/Offset Control

● False Vocal Cords Control● True Vocal Folds: Body

Cover Control● Thyroid Cartilage Control● Cricoid Cartilage Control● Larynx Control

● Velum Control● Tongue Control● Aryepiglottic Spincter

(AES) Control● Jaw Control● Lips Control● Head and Neck Control● Torso Control

There are 13 Estill voice figures:

By using different “settings” of various combinations of these figures, singers can create the six Estill vocal qualities.

● exactly what it sounds like- “talking on pitch”

● found in styles of pop music, jazz, musical theatre (patter songs), etc.

● Set-up: glottal onset, thick vocal folds, middle larynx, relaxed head and torso

Estill Vocal Qualities: “Speech”

What Does It Look Like?

● soft, dark sound- name comes from similarity to a deep crying noise

● used when a more “mature” sound is desired- classical, older ballads, etc.

● Set-up: thin vocal folds, low larynx, tilted thyroid, high tongue, anchored head and torso

Estill Vocal Qualities: “Sob”

What Does It Look Like?

● shouting, resonant sound that can be made to have a nasal quality as well

● used for “safe shouting” and projecting effectively, musical theatre “character voices,” etc.

● Set-up: narrow AES, high larynx, high tongue, tilted thyroid, thin vocal folds

Estill Vocal Qualities: “Twang”

What Does It Look Like?

● achieves strong opera or classical sound while maintaining a lot of control

● set-up: combination of thin and thick folds, tilted thyroid, narrow AES, low larynx, compressed tongue, anchored head and torso

Estill Vocal Qualities: “Opera”

What Does It Look Like?

● extremely powerful sound used in pop, gospel, R&B, and musical theatre styles; can be extremely harmful to the vocal cords if done incorrectly

● set-up: glottal onset, thick vocal folds, tilted cricoid, narrow AES, high larynx, high tongue, anchored head and torso

Estill Vocal Qualities: “Belt”

What Does It Look Like?

● breathy, high-pitched singing; most commonly associated with men but, in Estill, can be achieved by both genders

● found in folk, jazz, pop, R&B, etc.● set-up: stiff vocal folds with aspirate

on-set, middle larynx, relaxed head and torso

Estill Vocal Qualities: “Falsetto”

● high larynx versus low larynx: presence of overtones

● glottals and high larynx: “spikier” waves

● “Sob” and “Opera”: similar set-ups, very similar overtones/wave shape; “Sob” is more pure

Notable Similarities

Questions?