Three-Dimensional Phonetographic Assessment of Voice Performance in Professional and Non-Professional Speakers

Abstract

For the assessment of voice performance, three-dimensional (3D) phonetograms were constructed using mean values of vocal pitch, vocal intensity, and phonation time. They were built up for groups of professional and non-professional male and female speakers. The 3D phonetograms of the professional and non-professional groups were projected into one another for the female as well as for the male speakers to facilitate comparison of the professional and non-professional groups. In addition, pitch-related cross-sections of the 3D phonetograms were created. These cross-sections plotted as sequences are useful to evaluate changes in vocal dynamics and phonation time in relation to the course of vocal pitch. In this contribution, it could be demonstrated that the 3D phonetograms of the non-professional groups were completely enclosed by those of the professional groups who developed a greater vocal capacity. Furthermore, the cross-section sequences of the professional groups were obviously longer and broader than those of the non-professional groups. Details of group-specific differences with respect to the examined voice parameters are discussed.

Effects of Vocal Training on Singing and Speaking Voice Characteristics in Vocally Healthy Adults and Children Based on Choral and Nonchoral Data

“…The trained singers group of adults was composed of 80 choral singers randomly selected from four professional choirs who received formal voice training in singing not less than 2 hours/week for 2 years at a higher musical school or conservatory, and presently were receiving voice training as part of their active participation in the professional choirs. 23 The nonsingers group of adults consisted of 127 healthy volunteers with untrained voices (no voice training history).…”

“…It has been established that voice training enlarges singing voice capabilities for both adults and children, with the profiles of trained voices demonstrating greater dynamic and frequency ranges, and also increased VRP area. 1,[5][6][7][8][9][10][19][20][21][22][23][24] Several investigations have addressed the question of impact of singing voice training on speaking voice compared with untrained vocalists. 13,14,[24][25][26][27][28] Some of those studies show that trained adult vocalists have the capability to produce greater speaking frequency and intensity ranges than do untrained individuals and may change voice pitch more than nonsingers without stressing the voice.…”

“…1,19,23,[26][27][28][29][30][31][32] The VRP is known to be sensitive to gender and age, consequently separate norms for male and female subjects and children are reasonable. 3,9,14,[22][23][24][25][30][31][32][33][34][35] Although the significant differences between prepubescent child and adult voices are well established, only limited data on normal vocal capabilities for trained voices in school-aged children is available. 8,[20][21][22] This may be because of some difficulties in the testing of children (more time consuming, less precise) and of variability of the data as a result of rapid and obvious changes in the anatomy and physiology of the vocal tract during development.…”

Voice Range Profiles for Tonal Dialect of Min

“…Trained singers had significantly greater physiological frequency range and physiological intensity range than untrained subjects [6][7][8][9][10][11] . Similar effects were found in patients with voice disorders after voice therapy [2,12,13] .…”

Usefulness of Spectral Range Profile in Quantitative Assessment of Voice Quality in Adults and Children

“…The adult singers group consisted of 13 choral singers -4 males and 9 females aged 18-54 years (with an average age of 37.4 ± (standard deviation) 12.3 years) randomly selected from two professional choirs, who received formal voice training in singing not less than 2 hours/ week for 2 years at a higher musical school or conservatory, and presently were receiving voice training as part of their active participation in the professional choir [27]. Singers had an average experience of 7.3 years in voice training.…”