Physiology of Vocal Registers in Singers and Nonsingers

Abstract

The focus of this presentation includes only three registers (vocal fry, modal, and falsetto) even though it is recognized that other registers and/or subregisters probably do exist. In this regard, data from four studies are presented in order to establish the f0 boundaries in these three registers for large numbers of nonsingers and smaller groups of singers. Secondly, perceptual and acoustical data from five studies is discussed in which the registers are compared to each other and to other types of phonatory signals. Special emphasis is given to a set of investigations in which perceptual and acoustical differences between modal and falsetto registers (for fundamental frequencies where they overlapped) were studied in a group of singers and a matched group of nonsingers. Finally, a substantial number of published and unpublished studies will be utilized in order to contrast the three specified registers with respect to the underlying physiology of each. Of special emphasis here will be vocal-fold length, vocal-fold thickness, vibratory patterns, subglottic pressure, and air flow.