The Characteristics of Musical Formant and Vocal Fold Vibration in the Classical and Western-Style Singers / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Professional singers have a particular "ringing" sound quality during singing, so called singer's formant. Two types of professional singers in Korea that sound very different are classical (pansori) and western style performers. The purpose of this research was to systematically analyze and compare the acoustic sound structure of both the speaking and singing voices of Korean classical singers (pansori). We also investigated the morphologic and vibratory characteristics of vocal folds using videostroboscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 24 classical singers and 29 western style singers were subjects. The formant frequencies, intensities and singing power ratio was evaluated for clarifying the existence of singing formant. Using laryngeal stroboscopy, the vibratory characteristics were evaluated. RESULTS: The all formant intensities were incraesed in the classical singers, but typical increase of third and fourth formant in the western style singers. The singing power ratio was smaller in the western style singers. Most of classical singers showed abnormal vibratory patterns. CONCLUSION: The western style singers have typical singing formant during singing, but not in the classical singers. Most of classical singers showed abnormal vibratory patterns of vocal folds during phonation, but usually normal vibration in the western style singers.

The Analysis of Voice Problems in Korean Classical Singers / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There have been no systematic studies addressing the voice problems among Korean classical singers. The purpose of this study was to analyze the voice problems in Korean classical singers and provide a guide in the management of their voice problems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The voice problems in 222 classical singers who visited Ewha woman's university hospital with dysphonia were analyzed, using laryngovideostroboscopy, aerodynamic and acoustic analyzer. RESULTS: The most common voice symptom in Korean classical singers was hoarseness (62.1%) and their most common lesion in the vocal folds was vocal nodule (42.8%). In classical singers who had vocal nodule, there was no significant reduction of expiratory pressure (p<0.05), but the mean air flow rate was increased (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between classical singers who had vocal nodule and normal adults in jitter, shimmer and noise to harmonic ratio (NHR). CONCLUSION: This study reveals that numerous voice problems can be present even in trained classical singers. Also, we recognized the fact that normal voice may occur even in the presence of abnormal laryngeal findings in trained professional classical singers because of their training to protect and refine their vocal skills. Therefore, in future studies, it may be useful for laryngologists to obtain a baseline assessment of laryngeal function in trained classical singers to permit accurate diagnosis of the causes of voice dysfunction in voice professionals whose baseline laryngeal behavior may be unusual.