Effects of the Lung Volume on the Electroglottographic Waveform in Trained Female Singers

Sten Ternström,Sara D'Amario,Andreas Selamtzis

doi:10.1016/j.jvoice.2018.09.006

Sten Ternström, Sara D'Amario + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvoice.2018.09.006

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Abstract

ObjectivesTo determine if in singing there is an effect of lung volume on the electroglottographic waveform, and if so, how it varies over the voice range. Study designEight trained female singers sang the tune “Frère Jacques” in 18 conditions: three phonetic contexts, three dynamic levels, and high or low lung volume. Conditions were randomized and replicated. MethodsThe audio and EGG signals were recorded in synchrony with signals tracking respiration and vertical larynx position. The first 10 Fourier descriptors of every EGG cycle were computed. These spectral data were clustered statistically, and the clusters were mapped by color into a voice range profile display, thus visualizing the EGG waveform changes under the influence of fo and SPL. The rank correlations and effect sizes of the relationships between relative lung volume and several adduction-related EGG wave shape metrics were similarly rendered on a color scale, in voice range profile-style ʻvoice maps.ʼ ResultsIn most subjects, EGG waveforms varied considerably over the voice range. Within subjects, reproducibility was high, not only across the replications, but also across the phonetic contexts. The EGG waveforms were quite individual, as was the nature of the EGG shape variation across the range. EGG metrics were significantly correlated to changes in lung volume, in parts of the range of the song, and in most subjects. However, the effect sizes of the relative lung volume were generally much smaller than the effects of fo and SPL, and the relationships always varied, even changing polarity from one part of the range to another. ConclusionsMost subjects exhibited small, reproducible effects of the relative lung volume on the EGG waveform. Some hypothesized influences of tracheal pull were seen, mostly at the lowest SPLs. The effects were however highly variable, both across the moderately wide fo-SPL range and across subjects. Different singers may be applying different techniques and compensatory behaviors with changing lung volume. The outcomes emphasize the importance of making observations over a substantial part of the voice range, and not only of phonations sustained at a few fundamental frequencies and sound levels.

Highlights

Professional singers and vocal coaches consider breathing control to be important to the singing voice, and believe that poor breath management can be problematic for singing, based on the general assumption that the breathing technique affects phonation.[1,2]A common way to assess breathing objectively for speech and singing is by measuring lung volume (LV) expressed as a percentage of the vital capacity (VC)
This study sought to establish whether or not there is a measurable effect of the relative lung volume, expressed as percent of vital capacity, on the EGG waveform, in reasonably realistic singing
To detect such an effect, the variations in the EGG wave shape that are due to fo and SPL were first accounted for, by collecting spectral data for all EGG cycles in a voice range profile format

Summary

Introduction

Professional singers and vocal coaches consider breathing control to be important to the singing voice, and believe that poor breath management can be problematic for singing, based on the general assumption that the breathing technique affects phonation.[1,2]A common way to assess breathing objectively for speech and singing is by measuring lung volume (LV) expressed as a percentage of the vital capacity (VC). Goldman, and Mead[3,4] observed LV in nonsingers’ speech and singing and found it to be in the midrange of the VC for most of the utterances during normal conversation, reading, and singing, but 10%−20% higher during loud reading and speaking. They found that LV at initiation of the phrases (ILV) was 50%−60%. The respiratory behavior of six male professional country singers resembled that of untrained singers, with ILV ranging between 34% and 80% VC and TLV between 9% and 46% VC during singing.[10]

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