Vibrato and pitch transitions

Abstract

<h2>Summary</h2> There are at least two timing variables to be considered in vocal music performance. The first is the note changes associated with the meter signature (4/4, 2/4, etc.) and the second is the vibrato rate of the performer. Because the probability is not great that these two temporal variables will always be in perfect synchrony, it was the purpose of this investigation to determine what singers do when these two timing variables come into conflict during singing. Six singers recorded a series of alternating upward and downward interval shifts of a third while singing whole notes, half notes, quarter notes and eighth notes. The same notes were then recorded with intervals of a fifth. The recorded samples were converted to a visual trace and examined for interactions between vibrato and meter. Analysis of the tracings indicated that, in the majority of the cases, the singers would alter their vibrato in order to adhere to the timing of the musical line.