• 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.2
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• pp.121-125
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• 2001

Singing requires exquisite coordination between the respiratory and phonatory system to efficiently control glottal airflow. Respiratory function and vocal aerodynamics were investigated in six female professional sopranos and in six female subjects without vocal training. All sopranos had more than 15 years of formal classic vocal training. Pulmonary function test data on simple pulmonary function, flow volume curve, static lung volumes, maximum inspiratory pressure(MIP), and maximum expiratory pressure(MEP) were obtained from all subjects. Vocal aerodynamic studies of maximum phonation time(MPT), phonation quotient, and mean glottal flow rates (MFR) were also measured in all subjects. Simple pulmonary function in professional sopranos was generally the same as that of other female subjects without vocal training. However, MIP and MEP showing respiratory muscle forces were significantly elevated in professional sopranos, compared to those of other female subjects without vocal training. Maximum phonation times and phonation quotient in sopranos are longer than those of other female subjects even though there were no differences in simple pulmonary function. High-pitched tones were made with significantly higher mean glottal flow rates(GFR) in normal subjects than low-pitched tones, whereas no changes in GFR were found in sopranos. The result indicated that sopranos demonstrated significant improvements in aerodynamic measures of GFR, maximum phonation time, suggesting an increase in glottal efficiency.

• Speech Sciences
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.69-89
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• 1998

The aim of this study is to develop an objectively method of speech evaluation for children with cleft palates. To assess velopharyngeal function, Visi-Pitch, Computerized Speech Lab. (CSL), Nasometer and Palatometer were used for this study. Acoustic parameters were measured depending on the diagnostic instruments: Pitch (Hz), sound pressure level (dB), jitter (%) and diadochokinetic rate by Visi-Pitch, VOT and vowels formant ($F_1\;&\;F_2$) by a Spectrography and the degree of hypernasality by Nasometer. In addition, Palatometer was used to find the lingual-palatal patterns of cleft palate. Ten children with cleft palates and fifty normal children participated in the experiment. The results are as follows: (1) Higher nasalance of children with cleft palates showed the resonance disorder. (2) The cleft palate showed palatal misarticulation and lateral misarticulation on the palatogram. (3) Children with cleft palates showed the phonatory and respiratory problems. The duration of sustained vowels in children with cleft palates was shorter than in the control groups. The pitch of children with cleft palates was higher than in the control groups. However, intensity, jitter and diadochokinetic rate of children with cleft palates were lower than in the control group. (4) On the Spectrogram, the VOT of children with cleft palates was longer than control group. $F_1\;&\;F_2$ were lower than in the control group.