Letter: Vocal frequency and vertical larynx positioning by singers and nonsingers.

Abstract

Measurements were taken from lateral still photographs of the vertical larynx position of four professional singers and four nonsingers. Subjects sustained phonation at seven discrete intervals between 90 and 350 Hz. Nonsingers generally positioned their larynx upward with increased voice frequency and tended to maintain a level at or above the larynx physiologic rest position throughout their vocal range. Singers usually maintained a laryngeal position below the physiologic rest level throughout their vocal frequency range. Subject Classification: 70.20; 75.70.