Mechanical classification of voice quality

Abstract

While there is no a priori definition of good singing voices, we tend to make consistent evaluations of the quality of singing almost instantaneously. Such an instantaneous evaluation might be based on the sound spectrum that can be perceived in a short time. Here we devise a Bayesian algorithm that learns to evaluate the choral proficiency, musical scale, and gender of individual singers using the sound spectra of singing voices. In particular, the classification is performed on a set of sound spectral intensities, whose frequencies are selected by minimizing the Bayes risk. This optimization allows the algorithm to capture sound frequencies that are essential for each discrimination task, resulting in a good assessment performance. Experimental results revealed that a sound duration of about 0.1 sec is sufficient for determining the choral proficiency and gender of a singer. With a program constructed on this algorithm, everyone can evaluate choral voices of others and perform private vocal exercises.