Articulatory correlates of the acoustic transition during the second passaggio of sopranos

Abstract

The present experiment examines articulatory correlates associated with the presence or absence of a change in A1-A2, the amplitude difference between the first two harmonics (fo and 2fo),in the second passaggio transition (D5♮ to F5♮, or 587 to 698 Hz) of the soprano voice. An earlier investigation of this area in a classical, techniqued soprano singing on a low vowel revealed a change from negative to positive values in A1-A2 at a pivot point between E5♭ and E5♮. But when the same singer produced sounds without technique, the A1-A2 values remained negative. The present articulatory investigation uses ultrasound and optical tracking for analysis of head-corrected tongue contours, jaw opening, lip aperture, and lip protrusion that accompany the presence or absence of the acoustic change in this same singer. Preliminary results replicate the relationship between the acoustic change from negative to positive values of A1-A2 and show a substantial change in tongue dorsum height. In contrast, singing that exhibits only negative values of A1-A2 shows no such articulatory changes. The same experimental protocol was then used with sopranos who can and cannot make the A1-A2 acoustic change. Acoustic and articulatory results will be reported. [Funded by NIH grant DC-002717.]