Singing & The Actor Flashcards
(18 cards)
What is the vocal tract compared to in terms of its shape and structure?
The vocal tract is compared to a pipe—narrow at the bottom inside the neck and opening into the mouth and nasal cavity at the top.
Where is the vocal tract narrowest?
Inside the neck, near the larynx.
Where does the vocal tract open out?
Into the mouth and nasal cavity.
What is the function of the vocal tract in terms of sound?
The entire vocal tract acts as a resonator, shaping and amplifying sound.
How can you test that the vocal tract is a resonator?
Hold your breath and flick your finger against the side of your neck near the larynx; the sound will be hollow.
What happens when you mouth different vowel sounds without voicing?
You can hear how the vocal tract shapes itself differently for each vowel, even without producing voiced sound.
Where is the larynx located, and what does it house?
The larynx is at the top of the windpipe and houses the vocal folds.
What role does the larynx play in sound production?
The larynx is a vibrator that initiates sound by causing the vocal folds to vibrate.
Why can’t a resonator alone produce sound?
A resonator can only amplify and shape sound; it cannot generate sound on its own.
What must happen to the vocal folds in order to generate sound?
The vocal folds must move closer together and rapidly open and close to create a “sound signal.”
What instrument part are the vocal folds compared to?
The vocal folds are compared to a reed in some wind instruments.
In the awareness exercise, what happens when you blow gently through almost-closed lips?
You produce an airy sound without pitch.
What is a ‘lip trill,’ and how is it related to the vocal folds?
A lip trill is a vibration of the lips created by regulating breath pressure; it is similar to the initial sound signal produced by the vibrating vocal folds.
What three elements are necessary to produce a lip trill?
Breath to excite the vibration;
Regulated breath pressure (sub-glottic pressure);
Something that can vibrate (lips or vocal folds).
What is sub-glottic pressure?
It is the regulated breath pressure needed for efficient vibration in singing and speaking.
How can you introduce vocal fold vibration into a lip trill?
By adding voicing—think of humming behind the lip trill.
How can you feel the vibration of the vocal folds during voicing?
Place your fingers on your larynx while introducing voicing into the lip trill; you will feel the vibration.
During voiced lip trills, what parts of the vocal mechanism are vibrating and shaping the sound?
Both the lips and the vocal folds are vibrating, and the vocal tract is shaping the sound.
