Singing voice skills: is there a difference in acoustically measured register transition between trained and untrained singers?

Details

Supervisors

Maryn, Youri

Faculty

Faculté de psychologie, logopédie, sexologie et des sciences de la famille

Degree label

Master [120] en logopédie, à finalité spécialisée

Abstract

This thesis investigates the acoustic differences in chest-to-head register transition between trained and untrained young female singers, addressing gaps in the scientific literature. Twenty-two female singers, aged between 18 and 30 years, participated in producing ascending glides three times on three vowels, /a:/, /i:/ and /u:/. The objectives included examining differences in acoustic measures between trained and untrained singers, assessing the effect of vowel type on the number of register transitions, and evaluating the test-retest reliability of the recordings. Trained singers were hypothesised to produce transitions at lower mean frequencies. Additionally, the number of transitions was not expected to differ across the three vowels, as participants were assumed capable of producing a transition for each vowel without difference. Finally, the three recordings were anticipated to demonstrate great reliability. Results revealed no significant differences in acoustic measures between trained and untrained singers, except for mean dynamics in the /i:/ vowel. Trained singers performed ascending glides to higher pitches significantly slower on /i:/ compared to untrained singers. No significant differences were found in the number of register transitions among /a:/, /i:/, and /u:/. Moderate test-retest reliability was observed for the three recordings of each vowel. These findings suggest that any of the three vowels can be used to assess chest-to-head register transitions may use any of these three vowels, eliminating the need for multiple recordings to capture representative values. The study provides valuable insights into vocal register transitions and offers practical implications for vocal training and assessment.