scholarly journals Domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) are sensitive to the correlation between pitch and timbre in human speech

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sasha K. Sturdy ◽  
David R. R. Smith ◽  
David N. George
Keyword(s):  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Adult Male ◽  
Vocal Tract ◽  
Vocal Folds ◽  
Domestic Dogs ◽  
Canis Lupus Familiaris ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Male Voice ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
The Voice

AbstractThe perceived pitch of human voices is highly correlated with the fundamental frequency (f0) of the laryngeal source, which is determined largely by the length and mass of the vocal folds. The vocal folds are larger in adult males than in adult females, and men’s voices consequently have a lower pitch than women’s. The length of the supralaryngeal vocal tract (vocal-tract length; VTL) affects the resonant frequencies (formants) of speech which characterize the timbre of the voice. Men’s longer vocal tracts produce lower frequency, and less dispersed, formants than women’s shorter vocal tracts. Pitch and timbre combine to influence the perception of speaker characteristics such as size and age. Together, they can be used to categorize speaker sex with almost perfect accuracy. While it is known that domestic dogs can match a voice to a person of the same sex, there has been no investigation into whether dogs are sensitive to the correlation between pitch and timbre. We recorded a female voice giving three commands (‘Sit’, ‘Lay down’, ‘Come here’), and manipulated the recordings to lower the fundamental frequency (thus lowering pitch), increase simulated VTL (hence affecting timbre), or both (synthesized adult male voice). Dogs responded to the original adult female and synthesized adult male voices equivalently. Their tendency to obey the commands was, however, reduced when either pitch or timbre was manipulated alone. These results suggest that dogs are sensitive to both the pitch and timbre of human voices, and that they learn about the natural covariation of these perceptual attributes.

Changes in the male voice at puberty: vocal fold length and its relationship to the fundamental frequency of the voice

1998 ◽  
Vol 112 (5) ◽  
pp. 451-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meredydd Harries ◽  
Sarah Hawkins ◽  
Jeremy Hacking ◽  
Ieuan Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Vocal Fold ◽  
Gradual Increase ◽  
Vocal Folds ◽  
Frequency Change ◽  
Male Voice ◽  
Pubertal Stage ◽  
Sudden Drop ◽  
Ultrasound Measurements ◽  
The Voice

AbstractUltrasound measurements of the vocal folds were taken for a number of boys passing through puberty. The boys were grouped according to their pubertal stage as defined by Tanner and there was a gradual increase in the length of the vocal folds as puberty progressed. The fundamental frequency of the boys' speaking voice was recorded via laryngography and a good correlation between the length of the vocal folds and the frequency of the voice was seen. The sudden drop in frequency seen between Tanner stages 3 and 4 did not correlate with similar changes in the length of the vocal folds at this time but stroboscopic findings suggest a change in the structure and mass of the vocal folds at this time of maximum frequency change.

Phonetics of Singing in Western Classical Style

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan Sundberg
Keyword(s):  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Vocal Fold ◽  
Vocal Tract ◽  
Formant Frequency ◽  
Vowel Identification ◽  
Fundamental Frequencies ◽  
Vocal Fold Vibration ◽  
Syllable Duration ◽  
Classical Singing ◽  
The Voice

The function of the voice organ is basically the same in classical singing as in speech. However, loud orchestral accompaniment has necessitated the use of the voice in an economical way. As a consequence, the vowel sounds tend to deviate considerably from those in speech. Male voices cluster formant three, four, and five, so that a marked peak is produced in spectrum envelope near 3,000 Hz. This helps them to get heard through a loud orchestral accompaniment. They seem to achieve this effect by widening the lower pharynx, which makes the vowels more centralized than in speech. Singers often sing at fundamental frequencies higher than the normal first formant frequency of the vowel in the lyrics. In such cases they raise the first formant frequency so that it gets somewhat higher than the fundamental frequency. This is achieved by reducing the degree of vocal tract constriction or by widening the lip and jaw openings, constricting the vocal tract in the pharyngeal end and widening it in the mouth. These deviations from speech cause difficulties in vowel identification, particularly at high fundamental frequencies. Actually, vowel identification is almost impossible above 700 Hz (pitch F5). Another great difference between vocal sound produced in speech and the classical singing tradition concerns female voices, which need to reduce the timbral differences between voice registers. Females normally speak in modal or chest register, and the transition to falsetto tends to happen somewhere above 350 Hz. The great timbral differences between these registers are avoided by establishing control over the register function, that is, over the vocal fold vibration characteristics, so that seamless transitions are achieved. In many other respects, there are more or less close similarities between speech and singing. Thus, marking phrase structure, emphasizing important events, and emotional coloring are common principles, which may make vocal artists deviate considerably from the score’s nominal description of fundamental frequency and syllable duration.

scholarly journals Fundamental frequency, phonation maximum time and vocal complaints in morbidly obese women

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lourdes Bernadete Rocha de SOUZA ◽  
Rayane Medeiros PEREIRA ◽  
Marquiony Marques dos SANTOS ◽  
Cynthia Meida de Almeida GODOY
Keyword(s):  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Vocal Tract ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Morbidly Obese ◽  
Obese Women ◽  
Obese People ◽  
Maximum Phonation Time ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Voice ◽  
Voice Recording

Background : Obese people have abnormal deposition of fat in the vocal tract that can interfere with the acoustic voice. Aim : To relate the fundamental frequency, the maximum phonation time and voice complaints from a group of morbidly obese women. Methods : Observational, cross-sectional and descriptive study that included 44 morbidly obese women, mean age of 42.45 (±10.31) years old, observational group and 30 women without obesity, control group, with 33.79 (±4.51)years old. The voice recording was done in a quiet environment, on a laptop using the program ANAGRAF acoustic analysis of speech sounds. To extract the values of fundamental frequency the subjects were asked to produce vowel [a] at usual intensity for a period in average of three seconds. After the voice recording, participants were prompted to produce sustained vowel [ a] , [ i] and [ u] at usual intensity and height, using a stopwatch to measure the time that each participant could hold each vowel. Results : The majority, 31(70.5%), had vocal complaints, with a higher percentage for complaints of vocal fatigue 20(64.51%) and voice failures 19(61.29%) followed by dryness of the throat in 15 (48.38%) and effort to speak 13(41.93%). There was no statistically significant difference regarding the mean fundamental frequency of the voice in both groups, but there was significance between the two groups regarding maximum phonation. Conclusion : Increased adipose tissue in the vocal tract interfered in the vocal parameters.

A Comparison of the Contributions of Two Voice Quality Characteristics to the Perception of Maleness and Femaleness in the Voice

1976 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 168-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph O. Coleman
Keyword(s):  
Vocal Tract ◽  
Voice Quality ◽  
Quality Characteristics ◽  
The Other ◽  
Female Voice ◽  
Basic Difference ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Vocal Tract Resonance ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
The Voice

Comparisons were made between the contributions of the fundamental frequency (F 0 ) on one hand, and vocal tract resonances on the other, to a perception of maleness and femaleness in the adult voice. In the first of two experiments, the F 0 of natural voice was found to be very highly correlated with the degree of maleness and femalenesss in the voice. The vocal tract resonances were less highly correlated and it is apparent that in the presence of the natural laryngeal tone, these perceptions are based on the frequency of the F 0 . In the second experiment, a tone produced by a laryngeal vibrator was substituted for the normal glottal tone at simulated F 0 's representing both males (120 Hz) and females (240 Hz). When listeners were asked to identify the sex of the speakers some inconsistency with the findings of the first experiment was seen. The female F 0 was a weak indicator of female voice quality when combined with male vocal tract resonance although the male F 0 retained the perceptual prominence seen in the first experiment. This finding may be indicative of some basic difference in the normal glottal characteristics of males and females.

The Use of Voice Cues for Speaker Gender Recognition in Cochlear Implant Recipients

2016 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 546-556 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hartmut Meister ◽  
Katrin Fürsen ◽  
Barbara Streicher ◽  
Ruth Lang-Roth ◽  
Martin Walger
Keyword(s):  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Detailed Analysis ◽  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Stimulus Type ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Vocal Tract ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Gender Recognition ◽  
Point Rating Scale ◽  
The Voice

PurposeThe focus of this study was to examine the influence of fundamental frequency (F0) and vocal tract length (VTL) modifications on speaker gender recognition in cochlear implant (CI) recipients for different stimulus types.MethodSingle words and sentences were manipulated using isolated or combined F0 and VTL cues. Using an 11-point rating scale, CI recipients and listeners with normal hearing rated the maleness/femaleness of the corresponding voice.ResultsSpeaker gender ratings for combined F0 and VTL modifications were similar across all stimulus types in both CI recipients and listeners with normal hearing, although the CI recipients showed a somewhat larger ambiguity. In contrast to listeners with normal hearing, F0-VTL and F0-only modifications revealed similar ratings in the CI recipients when using words as stimuli. However, when sentences were used, a difference was found between F0-VTL–based and F0-based ratings. Modifying VTL cues alone did not affect ratings in the CI group.ConclusionsWhereas speaker gender ratings by listeners with normal hearing relied on combined VTL and F0 cues, CI recipients made only limited use of VTL cues, which might be one reason behind problems with identifying the speaker on the basis of voice. However, use of the voice cues depended on stimulus type, with the greater information in sentences allowing a more detailed analysis than single words in both listener groups.

scholarly journals Impact of hydration on vocal loading using phonetogram measures

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 1317
Author(s):  
Sujan Ghosh ◽  
Indranil Chatterjee ◽  
Piyali Kundu ◽  
Susmi Pani ◽  
Suman Kumar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Vocal Fold ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Vocal Folds ◽  
Graphical Display ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Range Profile ◽  
Vocal Intensity ◽  
Voice Range ◽  
The Voice

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Vocal loading is a phenomenon that affects the vocal folds and voice parameters. Prolonged vocal loading may cause vocal fatigue. Hydration is one of the easiest precautions to reduce the effect of vocal loading. Voice range profile is an analysis of a participant’s vocal intensity and fundamental frequency ranges. Speech range profile is a graphical display of frequency intensity interactions occurring during functional speech activity. Phonetogram software can analyse VRP and SRP.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> Total sixty normophonic participants (thirty male and thirty female) were included in this study. Phonetogram, version 4.40 by Tiger DRS, software used to measure the voice range profile and speech range profile. For VRP, participants were asked to produce vowel /a/ and a passage reading task was given for SRP measurement.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> All sample recording were done at pre vocal loading task, VLT and after hydration. Parameter that were used to measure the effects were Fo-range, semitone, max-F, min-F, SPL range, max-I, min-I, area (dB). Result showed that after VLT all other parameters like Fo-range, semitone, max-F, min-F, SPL range, max-I, min-I, area (dB) in VRP and SRP were reduced except min-F VRP in male, min-I VRP and min-I SRP in both male and female participants. After hydration all other parameters were improved except max-F VRP and min-F VRP in female, max-I VRP, min-F VRP and area VRP.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> This study concluded that vocal loading has negative impact on vocal fold tissue and mass. </p>

The Singing Voice

2018 ◽  
pp. 116-142
Author(s):  
Johan Sundberg
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Vocal Tract ◽  
Voice Quality ◽  
Vocal Folds ◽  
Sound Level ◽  
Vowel Sound ◽  
Formant Frequency ◽  
Voice Source ◽  
Subglottal Pressure ◽  
The Voice

The sound quality of singing is determined by three basic factors—the air pressure under the vocal folds (or the subglottal pressure), the mechanical properties of the vocal folds, and the resonance properties of the vocal tract. Subglottal pressure is controlled by the respiratory apparatus. It regulates vocal loudness and is varied with pitch in singing. Together with the mechanical properties of the folds, which are controlled by laryngeal muscles, it has a decisive influence on vocal fold vibrationswhich convert the tracheal airstream to a pulsating airflow, the voice source. The voice source determines pitch, vibrato, and register, and also the overall slope of the spectrum. The sound of the voice source is filtered by the resonances of the vocal tract, or the formants, of which the two lowest determine the vowel quality and the higher ones the personal voice quality. Timing is crucial for creating emotional expressivity; it uses an acoustic code that shows striking similarities to that used in speech. The perceived loudness of a vowel sound seems more closely related to the subglottal pressure with which it was produced than with the acoustical sound level. Some investigations of acoustical correlates of tone placement and variation of larynx height are described, as are properties that affect the perceived naturalness of synthesized singing. Finally, subglottal pressure, voice source, and formant-frequency characteristics of some non-classical styles of singing are discussed.

High-Speed Imaging of Vocal Fold Vibrations and Larynx Movements within Vocalizations of Different Vowels

1996 ◽  
Vol 105 (12) ◽  
pp. 975-981 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dieter Maurer ◽  
Markus Hess ◽  
Manfred Gross
Keyword(s):  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Digital Imaging ◽  
Vocal Fold ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Vocal Tract ◽  
Vocal Folds ◽  
High Speed Imaging ◽  
Filter Model ◽  
Acoustic Interaction ◽  
Glottal Source

Theoretic investigations of the “source-filter” model have indicated a pronounced acoustic interaction of glottal source and vocal tract. Empirical investigations of formant pattern variations apart from changes in vowel identity have demonstrated a direct relationship between the fundamental frequency and the patterns. As a consequence of both findings, independence of phonation and articulation may be limited in the speech process. Within the present study, possible interdependence of phonation and phoneme was investigated: vocal fold vibrations and larynx position for vocalizations of different vowels in a healthy man and woman were examined by high-speed light-intensified digital imaging. We found 1) different movements of the vocal folds for vocalizations of different vowel identities within one speaker and at similar fundamental frequency, and 2) constant larynx position within vocalization of one vowel identity, but different positions for vocalizations of different vowel identities. A possible relationship between the vocal fold vibrations and the phoneme is discussed.

The Effects of Cigarette Smoking on Voice-Fundamental Frequency

1987 ◽  
Vol 97 (4) ◽  
pp. 376-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher H. Murphy ◽  
Philip C. Doyle
Keyword(s):  
Cigarette Smoking ◽  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Matched Control ◽  
Vocal Folds ◽  
Group Research ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Voice Fundamental Frequency ◽  
The Voice ◽  
Previous Group ◽  
Age And Sex

Previous group research has shown that the mean voice-fundamental frequency (F0) for individuals who smoke is lower than that of age- and sex-matched nonsmokers. It is believed that this reduction in F0 is a result of edema of the vocal folds caused by tobacco smoke. This study investigated F0 changes during smoking and no-smoking periods. Data were collected before, during, and after a 40-hour period of no-smoking. Analysis of the voice recordings showed a rise in voice F0 for the two smoking subjects during the 40-hour no-smoking period. Age- and sex-matched control subjects did not show a rise in their F0 during the same tasks. Results suggest that the pitch-lowering effects of cigarette smoking may be reversed after as few as 40 hours of smoking cessation.

scholarly journals Transgender man voice therapy: a case report

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. e774997367
Author(s):  
Sabrina Silva dos Santos ◽  
Carla Aparecida Cielo
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Speech Therapy ◽  
Hormonal Treatment ◽  
Voice Therapy ◽  
Male Voice ◽  
Maximum Phonation Time ◽  
Speech Evaluation ◽  
Therapy Sessions ◽  
The Voice

Introduction: Hormone therapy reduces the vocal fundamental frequency of transgender men, but the evidence suggests that it does not modify other female communication characteristics, what may result in insufficient male communication patterns. Objective: To describe the voice therapy and its results on the voice of a 35-year-old transgender man. Methods: His main complaints were voice incompatible with his gender and vocal oscillation after hormonal treatment, started eight months prior to the study. Based on the speech evaluation, a therapeutic planning was elaborated aiming at developing: descending pitch at the end of sentences; decreasing vowel prolongation; "chest resonance"; decreasing pitch variation; costodiaphragmatic breathing; vocal projection and quality; maximum phonation time and pauses; decrease and stabilize fundamental frequency; adjust the resonance; decrease pitch and increase loudness; decrease the tension on the labial commissures; and develop male aspects of speech and language. Ten voice therapy sessions were held once a week, lasting 45 minutes each. Results: After voice therapy, there was decreased pitch variation during speech, increased pauses, focusing on the interlocutor, and “chest resonance”; this developed descending pitch at the end of sentences, decreasing vowel prolongation, and pitch variation, as an exercise to stimulate male voice markers and vocal stability. Even after the hormone-induced vocal changes, he still had complaints about his voice, which improved with the aid of voice therapy. Conclusion: Speech therapy provided the development of male vocal markers in his voice. It became compatible with his gender and allowed him to be recognized as a man by his voice, and to be pleased with it.

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