A Description of Vocal Maturation among Fifth- and Sixth-Grade Boys

Abstract

The present study was designed to explore the idea that boys' voices may be changing earlier than indicated in previous research. Singing and speaking voices of fifth-grade (h = 56) and sixth-grade (h = 43) boys were categorized and compared with the Cooksey changing voice stages. Data consisted of grade in school, age in years, highest and lowest sung pitches, overall singing range, speaking pitches, and voice stage categorization. Results indicated an earlier voice change than in previous research. Findings consistent with previous research included the fact that singing and speaking pitch lowered with each successive voice-change stage, the overall range narrowed in the predicted stages, and the speaking pitch remained 2-3 semitones above lowest sung pitch, regardless of voice stage.

Effect of Ethnicity on the Age of Onset of the Male Voice Change

“…Barresi and Bless (1984) determined that tessitura was not a reliable measure of voice change, causing Cooksey (1984) to concede that "range is the single most important factor for delineating different stages of voice development" (p. 7). Various studies have verified the validity of Cooksey's stages (Cooksey, 1984;Cooksey, 1985;Cooksey & Welch, 1998;Groom, 1984;Killian, 1999). Also, Harries et al (1997) found that Cooksey's stages correlated with Tanner's stages of development.…”

“…His research largely focused on middle school aged boys since, during his early studies, it was believed that most males underwent maturation during the middle school years, but as his investigations continued he began to notice trends in the earlier onset of the male voice change (Cooksey, 1984). Other researchers have found evidence of earlier trends in male vocal mutation as well (Karr, 1988;Killian, 1999;Moore, 1995;Rutkowski, 1984). Rutkowski (1984) found that 50% of the 6 th grade male students in her study could be classified as changing, whereas Killian (1999) concluded that approximately 80% of the 6 th grade male students in her study had entered Cooksey's voice change stages.…”

“…Other researchers have found evidence of earlier trends in male vocal mutation as well (Karr, 1988;Killian, 1999;Moore, 1995;Rutkowski, 1984). Rutkowski (1984) found that 50% of the 6 th grade male students in her study could be classified as changing, whereas Killian (1999) concluded that approximately 80% of the 6 th grade male students in her study had entered Cooksey's voice change stages. Killian (1999) also included 5 th grade male students in her sample and found that 50% had begun voice mutation.…”

“…Rutkowski (1984) found that 50% of the 6 th grade male students in her study could be classified as changing, whereas Killian (1999) concluded that approximately 80% of the 6 th grade male students in her study had entered Cooksey's voice change stages. Killian (1999) also included 5 th grade male students in her sample and found that 50% had begun voice mutation. Medical research has confirmed that American males are beginning puberty at an earlier age (HermanGiddens et al, 2001;Sun et al, 2002) and since the voice change is a secondary sexual characteristic, it is reasonable to assume that the voice change may be occurring earlier as well.…”

“…Though research has validated this voice change classification system (Cooksey, 1984;Cooksey & Welch, 1998;Groom, 1984;Killian, 1999), the determination of the vocal range, which is used to classify the stage of voice change, remains subjective despite the steps I made to objectify each participant's vocal range. For instance, many researchers when measuring vocal range have required participants to match a stimulus pitch (Barresi & Bless, 1984;Cooksey, 1984;Groom, 1984;Hollien, Green, & Massey, 1994;Killian & Moore, 1997, Killian, 1999Moore, 1991;Rutkowski, 1984;Wassum, 1979). This procedure for determining vocal range may be problematic because of the challenges with pitch matching associated with the male voice change (Collins, 1999;Cooksey, 1999).…”