We will be discussing an incredible creation, the Human Voice. During my 26 years of training this incredible gift, I never cease to be amazed at the lack of knowledge of it's most basic functions and how it is often taken for granted or even intentionally or unintentionally abused by misguided vocalists. Let us take a glimpse at this powerful instrument and, hopefully, develop a healthy respect.
Larynx
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The larynx (plural larynges), colloquially known as the voicebox, is an organ in the neck of mammals involved in protection of the trachea and sound production. The larynx houses the vocal folds, and is situated just below where the tract of the pharynx splits into the trachea and the esophagus.
I must first say that I consider the Larynx to be one of the greatest miracles and gifts that mankind has ever been given. Let's pause for a moment and consider life without a larynx. If you could not speak, sing or laugh I think you would agree that your life would change in a major way. We have actually been born with a free instrument. It is more functional and complex than any instrument created by man because it can not only create pitch, but it can also communicate words when used in connection with the parts in the throat and the head that produce diction and tone.
No other instrument can do this. With many people, though, they shy away from singing because many students, in my experience, think they sound poor. This is often because, as in my case, somebody close to them laughed at them when they sang and maybe said they had no talent. Unfortunately with the voice, many people have completely forgot that, like any other instrument, it must be trained to reach its potential.
I agree that there exists many people who sound wonderful without any training. The mistake many of these people make is that they can achieve "exceptional" voices if they would submit themselves to effective training. This is because their basic voice is so far advanced without training. Often times they conclude they have a "natural talent" and " have a perfect voice that does not need training". Another problem these "natural voices" have is the lack of knowledge of how to achieve effective breath control. As I have learned through my many years, humans do not breathe correctly under normal conditions. All of us must learn this basic and vital ability.
For example, if you were learning the clarinet, you would not expect to just be able to play it once you purchased your instrument. That would be ridiculous! Anybody would expect that they would have to take some kind of lessons. One reason we forget this in respect to the voice is that our instrument already works. Since we have used it to communicate, starting with our first scream after being born, we have already developed some level of vocalization and pitch.
Another consideration is that, with the clarinet or any other instrument, if you do not want to play or learn, you can sell your instrument and chose another. With the voice, though, you are stuck with what your have. This is why many people harbor ill feelings about their voice for many years. For many, it is easier to just keep quite than take another chance at being ridiculed for singing poorly. This result is a shame as most people can be trained to sing effectively. To reach our vocal performance goals, we must first be grateful for the gift we have and believe that it can improve with correct information and effort.
Now we can discuss the nuts and bolts of this marvelous creation called the larynx.
The larynx, also known as the voice box, is an organ in the neck of mammals that protects the trachea and is the miracle organ that creates sound production. The larynx houses the vocal cords. It is positioned just below where the tract of the pharynx, the part of your throat you see when you look straight back into your mouth, splits into the trachea (passage to the lungs) and the esophagus (passage to your stomach).
Sound is generated in the larynx. Further, this is where pitch and volume are manipulated. The strength of the airflow from the lungs, generated from the lower abdominal muscles and controlled by the diaphragm, contributes to loudness of overall sound. As this air column passes through the vocal chords, a fundamental sound is produced.
The vocal chords are, then, stretched according to the information received from the brain and a certain pitch is produced. This is information is important weather we are singing or speaking. As I have clearly written about in my book, Singing and Speaking on the Edge of a Grunt, Public Speakers and Actors must perform the same air support and control of any singer. In fact, if a speaker, actor, etc. is to be effective, they must also alter their pitch and volume like any singer.
This connection of similar vocal training for these different vocal disciplines is often not supported. They are seldom considered to be doing the same thing when they perform. But, in my world, they all need to become Vocal Warriors. We are all doing the same thing. We are using our voice to express entertainment and ideas to others. Strategies for vocal development are the same for all. This is an important cornerstone of my teaching philosophy.
After the basic sound vibration exits the vocal cords it is altered as it travels through the vocal tract, eventually exiting the mouth and nose. The changes occur based on the individual construction of your unique body and on the position of the pharynx tongue, lips, and mouth. The process of altering a source sound as it passes through the filter of the vocal tract creates the many different vowel and consonant sounds of the world's languages. Further, this is where comedians, for instance, alter their sound to mimic other people's voices or others create cartoon characters.
The vocal folds can be held close together by adducting the arytenoid cartilages. The muscles attached to the arytenoid cartilages control the degree of opening.
Vocal fold length and tension can be controlled by rocking the thyroid cartilage forward and backward on the cricoid cartilage, and by manipulating the tension of the muscles within the vocal folds. This causes the pitch produced during phonation to rise or fall.
To summarize, these two basic movements exist within the larynx.
1) Bringing the vocal chords together so they vibrate and produce a fundamental vibrating sound when air travels between them.
2) Once the fundamental sound is produced, the vocal chords are stretched (just like tightening a guitar string and the pitch rises) and the pitch changes.
Although there exists more complex muscle movements within the larynx needed to produce sound, these are the most fundamental and easiest to understand. After all, my main goal is for you to understand the fundamental basics of vocal production so you can apply them daily and improve your sound. I am not trying to prepare you for pre-med school!
This information is only the beginning to understand the complexities of how to operate the Human Voice. To become a powerful and accomplished vocalist, you must have a thorough understanding of the Abdominal Muscle Systems, the Larynx, the Resonating Cavities in the Throat and Head and the many facets of Diction that are used to produce the multiple styles of Music or Speaking production.
This information is only the beginning to understand the complexities of how to operate the Human Voice. To become a powerful and accomplished vocalist, you must have a thorough understanding of the Abdominal Muscle Systems, the Larynx, the Resonating Cavities in the Throat and Head and the many facets of Diction that are used to produce the multiple styles of Music or Speaking production. All these subjects are thoroughly discussed in my book, Singing and Speaking on the Edge of a Grunt which can be viewed through the "ebooks" link below.
Thank you for reading. Please visit my web site for more information.
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http://www.vocaltrainingwarrior.com/ebooks
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