• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 2006

Background and Objectives: Countertenors who can produce higher vocal pitch like female classical singer's voice and use both modal and falsetto register. This study was conducted to study phonatory characteristics between modal and falsetto register of the countertenor. Materials and Methods: A male countertenor who had 8 years of experience was examined using a videostroboscopy and his voice was analyzed using aerodynamic measures; fundamental frequency(F0), Mean air flow rate(MFR), intensity(SLP), subglottal air pressure(Psub) with phonatory function analyzer(Nagashima) and acoustic measures; jitter, shimmer, HNR, closed quotient(CQ) using a Electro-glottography(EGG) of Lx. Speech Studio(Laryngoscope, Ltd, UK) and voice range profile of CSL(Kay elemetrics). Results: In the stroboscopy finding, the longitudinal length of vocal folds was increased at the falsetto register and the upper margin of vocal folds vibrated with incomplete closure of true vocal folds. In aerodynamic analysis, intensity was same at the modal and falsetto register. However, MFR, Psub, MPT were higher at the falsetto register. In the electroglottographic analysis, closed quotient(CQ) at the modal register was high and also much higher at the high-pitch falsetto than at the loud falsetto. In the VRP, intensity was similar though F0 was different between modal and falsetto register. Conclusion: It implied that countertenor could produce powerful voice quality by increasing of respiratory pressure and respiratory volume though glottal closure was incomplete. In addition, no change of EGG waveform, similar voice range with alto was observed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.151-154
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• 2002

Background and Objectives : The pitch range of the human voice is variable, extending from chest register to falsetto register. Although numerous studies have investigated after laryngeal mechanism description of falsetto tone, systematic and objective studies were lack. The purpose of this study was to systematically analyze and compare modal with falsetto voice. Materials and Methods : Seven adult baritones were selected from a larger population of volunteers at choir. Simultaneous measurements of acoustic, electroglottographic and aerodynamic study were made during /e/ sustained in two vocal registers, lowest modal and highest falsetto. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilkoxson signed rankes test. Results : In the acoustic analysis, shimmer was increased in flasetto voice(p<0.05). In the electroglottographic analysis, closed quotient(CQ), speed quotient(SQ) at the modal voice were higher than at the falsetto voice(p<0.05). In the aerodynamic analysis, and airflow rate(MFR) of falsetto voice was higher than modal voice(p<0.05). Conclusions : In the results of the study indicate that, falsetto register ineffective, inefficient, generally unpleasant because it was produced by incomplete clousure of true vocal cord. We anticipated that further study with large samples can provide an objective criteria for status and classification of singer's modal and falsetto voice.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.132-138
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• 2002

Background and Objectives : The complex physiologic structure of the larynx can vibrate in three or more different ways that yield acuostically and perceptually distinct vocal quality. The purpose of this study is to examine the normal range of voice parameters in Multi-Channel Phonatory Function Analyzer and investigate the difference of voice parameters according to the phonatory patterns. Materials and Methods : Forty normal adult speakers (20 men and 20 women) with age ranging from third to forth decades pronounce low, comfortable, and high tone /a/ ; comfortable tone /${\ae}$/, /i/, /o/, and /u/ : fry, falsetto. Voice was analyzed by Newly developed multi-channel phonatory function analyzer. Results : The normal range of voice parameters in this system was similar to the existing data. Fry shows high jitter and falsetto low SQ. Fry and falsetto show low OQ in men but no difference in women. Jitter, OQ and SQ were different between men and women in modal register, whereas there was no gender difference in fry and falsetto. In frequency magnitude spectrum and EGG, modal register, fry and falsetto have distinguishing pattern. Conclusions : Modal register, fry and falsetto are distinguishable in voice parameters and show different vibratory patterns.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.67-75
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• 2022

This study compared voice range profiles (VRPs) of modal and falsetto register in 53 dysphonic and 53 non-dysphonic adult women with gliding vowel /a/'. The results shows that maximum fundamental frequency (F0_MAX), maximum intensity (I_MAX), F0 range (F0_RANGE), and intensity range (I_RANGE) are lower in the dysphonic group than in the non-dysphonic group. F0_MAX and F0_RANGE are significantly higher in falsetto register than modal register in both groups. I_MAX and I_RANGE are significantly higher in falsetto register in the non-dysphonic group, but those are not different between two registers in the dysphonic group. There was no statistically significant difference in minimum F0 (F0_MIN) and minimum intensity (I_MIN) between the two groups. Modal-falsetto register transition occurred at 378.86 Hz (F4#) in the dysphonic group and 557.79 Hz (C5#) in the non-dysphonic group, which was significantly lower in the dysphonic group. It can be seen that both modal and falsetto registers in dysphonic adult women are reduced compared to non-dysphoinc adult women, indicating that the vocal folds of dysphonic adult women are not easy to vibrate in high pitches. The results of this study would be the basic data for understanding the acoustic features of voice disorders.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1993.05a
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• pp.70-70
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• 1993

Fundamental frequency is controlled by contraction of both TA and CT muscle. While activity of the CT is known well, little is known regarding the effect of the TA muscle on vocal fold vibration. To study this, a previously developed in vivo canine laryngeal model was modified. Isolated TA muscle activation was obtained by stimulating sectioned terminal TA branches through small thyroid cartilage windows. The results indicated that TA muscle activation is a major determinant in vocal register shift from falsetto to modal phonation. F0 increased with increasing TA activation in modal register, On the other hand, the F0 decreased with TA activation when the evoked voice belonged to falsetto register. Subglottic pressure increased gradually and OQ decreased gradually with TA activation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.115-126
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• 2006

Background and Objectives : Training of breath support and laryngeal muscles control are important components in the development of the singing voice. The purpose of this study is to compare characteristics of respiratory and phonatory control on pitch, loudness, register change with untrained males and trained male singers. Materials and Methods : The 11 untrained males and 11 trained male singers participated. Closed Quotient(CQ), fundamental frequency (fo) and relative volume contribution of the rib cage (in percentage rib cage, % RC) and relative volume contribution of abdomen (in percentage abdomen, % AB) were measured during various pitch, loudness, register tasks using /a/ vowel phonation : Legato, staccato with C3-D3-E3-F3-G3 notes and crescendo and decrescendo with C3 note as well as modal register with C3 and falsetto register with C4 note using an integrated analysis system of Respiration, EGG and Voice. Results : (1) When pitch increased with legato task, loudness also increased in untrained male group but maintained in trained male singers. CQ was also increased both untrained and trained male singers but it was not significantly different ($p>.05$). The abdomen contribution to lung volume were significantly predominant both in inhalation and exhalation in trained males singers ($p<.05$). (2) When pitch increased with staccato task, CQ was not significantly different in untrained but significantly different in trained male singers. The respiratory function of male singers were characterized by significantly predominant abdomen contribution to lung volume in exhalation except for inhalation ($p<.05$) (3) When loudness increased with crescendo, fo was significantly increased with increasing CQ in untrained males but fo was relatively consistent with increasing CQ in trained male singers. The respiratory function of male singers were characterized by significantly predominant abdomen contribution to lung volume in exhalation except for inhalation ($p<.05$). (4) Most male singers were able to change register from modal to falsetto register, but untrained males were not. Thus, CQ was significantly different between modal and falsetto register in trained male singers ($p<.05$). The respiratory function of male singers were characterized by significantly predominant abdomen contribution to lung volume in exhalation except for inhalation ($p<.05$). Conclusion : Male singers were superior to untrained males in coordination of respiratory and phonatory control on pitch, loudness, register change. Implication are offered regarding how the results might be applied to the voice therapy as well as singing training.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2001

Background and Objectives : A post-pubescent male classical singer has lower vocal register than a female classical singer. Countertenors who can produce higher vocal register like female classical singers with their falsetto voice and head resonance are recently active. The general purpose of this study is to analyze voice of countertenors and to determine the differences with those of classical singers. Materials and Methods : Four countertenors in Korea were examined using a videostrobos-copy and their voice were analyzed using aerodynamic, acoustic and voice range profile methods. Results and Conclusion : Countertenors could produce elevated fundamental frequency, voice intensity and mean air flow rate using large pulmonary capacity and head voiced falsetto. It means the presence of greater energy in countertenor is due to the more efficient conversion of the air flow to acoustic energy. But, they had unstable amplitude perturbation per each vocal cycle. The results indicated that countertenor is the acoustic products of different laryngeal mechanism with other classical register and it can be recognized as one of the registers of male classical singers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.5-10
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• 1994

In vivo canine model was made in two mongrel dogs under the general Ⅰ-Ⅴ anesthesia. A vertical skin incision was made on the neck, the larynx and the trachea were dissected. Two tracheal openings were made : lower one for the insertion of the anesthesia tube and upper one for the delivery of air to the larynx to induce phonation. External branch of the superior laryngeal nerves and recurrent laryngeal nerves bilaterally were identified and stimulated electrically constantly. Subglottic pressure. fundamental frequency, intensity, and open quotient were measured when the air flow rate was varying low, medium and high. Glottic resistence was calculated. As the air flow rate was increased, the subglottic pressure and the sound intensity were increased. However, glottic resistance was decreased as the air flow was increased. In falsetto register, fundamenatal frequency was increased with the increment of air flow, but in modal register fundamental frequency was not increased statistically significant Open quotient by the electroglottography was increased according to the increment of airflow.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.52-58
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• 2002

The pitch range of the human voice is variable, extending from chest register to falsetto. Although numerous studies have investigated after laryngeal mechanism description of registers, systematic and objective studies were lack. The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare head register with chest register of singers acoustically. Fifteen healthy tenor major students were selected. Fifteen healthy untrained adults were the control group for this study. Long term average(LTA) power spectrum using the Fast Fourier transform(FFT) algorithm and Linear predictive coding (LPC) filter response were made during /a/ sustained in both head(G4, 392Hz) md chest registers (C3, 131Hz). Statistical analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney test. In the LTA power spectrum, head register of singer has increased level(energy gain) in the frequency band of 2.2-3.4kHz(p<0.01), and 7.5-8.4kHz(p<0.01, p<0.05). Chest register of singer has increased level in the frequency band of 2.2-3.1kHz(p<0.01), 7.8-8.4kHz(p<0.05) and around 9.6kHz(p<0.01). LTA power spectrum reveals a peak of acoustic energy around 2500Hz known as the singer's formant and another peak of acoustic energy around 8000Hz in singer's voice.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.48-51
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• 2012

Background and Objectives : Vocal fold cyst is generally treated by surgical resection, it has a difference with vocal fold polyp, treated by conservative management first. Decrease in mucosal waves is known as main diagnostic criteria of vocal fold cyst. Sometimes there is a difficulty for diffrential diagnosis between cyst and polyp only by endoscopic examination. The purpose of the study is to identify the objective features of vocal cyst and polyp on the basis of voice analysis for the proper differential diagnosis, especially at high pitched phonation. Materials and Method : The voice analysis was done in 15 focal fold cyst patients and 42 vocal fold polyp. Parameters of perceptual assessment, acoustic and aerodynamic measure, and voice range profile were compared between two groups. Results : Vocal fold cyst patients showed significantly reduced MPT by acoustic and aerodynamic analysis, narrowed frequency-range and low maximun frequency by voice range profile analysis compared with vocal fold polyp patient. Maximun frequency 381 Hz is established for cut off value, differential diagnosis between cyst and polyp (ROC analysis, sensitivity 60%, specificity 68%). Conclusion : Voice analysis is helpful for differential diagnosis between vocal fold cyst and polyp, especially there is a difficulty for distinguish cyst from polyp at clinical situation by endoscopic examination. The result of decreased maximum frequncy at vocal fold cyst supports incomplete high-pitched phonation and falsetto regester at vocal fold cyst patients due to decreased mucosal wave, compared with vocal fold polyp patients.