Valuing your voice

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peggy D. Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Physical Education ◽  
Sound Production ◽  
Vocal Folds ◽  
Good Argument ◽  
Vocal Production ◽  
Vocal Health ◽  
Large Classes ◽  
Music Ensembles ◽  
Speed Up ◽  
Good For

If you have ever contracted laryngitis, you know the value of your voice. You feel fine. You are not contagious. You have much to do. You cannot make a good argument for staying home. Yet teaching without a healthy voice can be hard, hard work. Our voice is our most precious instrument. Do we care for it as if that is true? These five suggestions can help you maintain a healthy voice. 1. Balance of breath and muscle. When vocal sound production is balanced with muscle and breath, we are generally using our voice properly. When more muscle than breath is used, a forced sound causes undue stress on our vocal folds, often resulting in a raspy sound. Support your voice with breath energy to help maintain healthy vocal production. 2. Hydration. Talking for lengthy amounts of time causes us to lose moisture through our breath. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink water. Stay hydrated throughout the day. 3. Avoid touching your face. Our hands are often the germiest parts of our bodies. To maintain a healthy voice, avoid touch­ing your face, especially during cold and flu season. 4. Vary your vocal expression. Variety in pitch, pace, and vol­ume is good for our voices and good for our listeners. Vary the pitch of your voice by shifting between higher and lower tones. Speed up and slow down the pace of your speaking. Speak at louder and quieter volumes to help students listen. 5. Lift your voice. Speaking at the lower part of your vocal range, especially if you are projecting loudly to a group, can cause vocal difficulties similar to a callus on your vocal folds. For the health of your voice, lift it to a medium high range (say “mm- hm” as an agreement and stay at the “hm” level) and speak using plenty of breath energy. The louder we talk, the less students need or want to listen! Try speaking normally rather than “talking over” noisy students; they will learn to respond. In physical education, music ensembles, and other large classes, a habit of shout- speaking can develop and derail your vocal health.

Design of Apparatus for Studying Aerodynamics of Voice Production

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Barry
Keyword(s):  
Flow Visualization ◽  
Vocal Fold ◽  
Sound Production ◽  
Vocal Tract ◽  
Vocal Folds ◽  
Flow Speed ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Voice Production ◽  
Experimental Apparatus ◽  
Glottal Flow

The design and testing of an experimental apparatus for in vitro study of phonatory aerodynamics (voice production) in humans is presented. The presentation includes not only the details of apparatus design, but flow visualization and Digital Particle Image Velocimetry (DPIV) measurements of the developing flow that occurs during the opening of the constriction from complete closure. The main features of the phonation process have long been understood. A proper combination of air flow from the lungs and of vocal fold tension initiates a vibration of the vocal folds, which in turn valves the airflow. The resulting periodic acceleration of the airstream through the glottis excites the acoustic modes of the vocal tract. It is further understood that the pressure gradient driving glottal flow is related to flow separation on the downstream side of the vocal folds. However, the details of this process and how it may contribute to effects such as aperiodicity of the voice and energy losses in voiced sound production are still not fully grasped. The experimental apparatus described in this paper is designed to address these issues. The apparatus itself consists of a scaled-up duct in which water flows through a constriction whose width is modulated by motion of the duct wall in a manner mimicking vocal fold vibration. Scaling the duct up 10 times and using water as the working fluid allows temporally and spatially resolved measurements of the dynamically similar flow velocity field using DPIV at video standard framing rates (15Hz). Dynamic similarity is ensured by matching the Reynolds number (based on glottal flow speed and glottis width) of 8000, and by varying the Strouhal number (based on vocal fold length, glottal flow speed, and a time scale characterizing the motion of the vocal folds) ranging from 0.01 to 0.1. The walls of the 28 cm × 28 cm test section and the vocal fold pieces are made of clear cast acrylic to allow optical access. The vocal fold pieces are 12.7 cm × 14 cm × 28 cm and are rectangular in shape, except for the surfaces which form the glottis, which are 6.35 cm radius half-circles. Dye injection slots are placed on the upstream side of both vocal field pieces to allow flow visualization. Prescribed motion of the vocal folds is provided by two linear stages. Linear bearings ensure smooth execution of the motion prescribed using a computer interface. Measurements described here use the Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF) flow visualization and DPIV techniques and are performed for two Strouhal numbers to assess the effect of opening time on the development of the glottal jet. These measurements are conducted on a plane oriented perpendicular to the glottis, at the duct midplane. LIF measurements use a 5W Argon ion laser to produce a light sheet, which illuminates the dye injected through a slot in each vocal fold piece. Two dye colors are used, one for each side. Quantitative information about the velocity and vorticity fields are obtained through DPIV measurements at the same location as the LIF measurements.

scholarly journals Morphological facilitators for vocal learning explored through the syrinx anatomy of a basal hummingbird

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Monte ◽  
Alexander F. Cerwenka ◽  
Bernhard Ruthensteiner ◽  
Manfred Gahr ◽  
Daniel N. Düring
Keyword(s):  
Sound Production ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Vocal Learning ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Micro Computed Tomography ◽  
Vocal Production ◽  
Precise Control ◽  
Acoustic Space ◽  
Biomechanical Factors ◽  
Intrinsic Musculature

AbstractVocal learning is a rare evolutionary trait that evolved independently in three avian clades: songbirds, parrots, and hummingbirds. Although the anatomy and mechanisms of sound production in songbirds are well understood, little is known about the hummingbird’s vocal anatomy. We use high-resolution micro-computed tomography (μCT) and microdissection to reveal the three-dimensional structure of the syrinx, the vocal organ of the black jacobin (Florisuga fusca), a phylogenetically basal hummingbird species. We identify three unique features of the black jacobin’s syrinx: (i) a shift in the position of the syrinx to the outside of the thoracic cavity and the related loss of the sterno-tracheal muscle, (ii) complex intrinsic musculature, oriented dorso-ventrally, and (iii) ossicles embedded in the medial vibratory membranes. Their syrinx morphology allows vibratory decoupling, precise control of complex acoustic parameters, and a large redundant acoustic space that may be key biomechanical factors facilitating the occurrence of vocal production learning.

Development and Response of Materially-Nonlinear, Multi-Layer Synthetic Models of the Human Vocal Folds

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
James S. Drechsel ◽  
Jacob B. Munger ◽  
Allyson A. Pulsipher ◽  
Scott L. Thomson
Keyword(s):  
Vocal Fold ◽  
Sound Production ◽  
Voice Disorders ◽  
Vocal Folds ◽  
Prevention And Treatment ◽  
Flow Induced Vibrations ◽  
Synthetic Models ◽  
Normal Speech

The human vocal folds are responsible for sound production during normal speech, and a study of their flow-induced vibrations can lead to improved prevention and treatment of voice disorders. However, studying the vocal folds in vivo or using excised larynges has several disadvantages. Therefore, alternatives exist using either synthetic (physical) and/or computational vocal fold models. In order to be physiologically relevant, the behavior and properties of these models must reasonably match those of the human vocal folds.

scholarly journals THE REALISTIC DILEMMA AND DEVELOPMENT PATH OF THE INTEGRATION OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS, COACHES AND SOCIAL SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS IN THE INTEGRATION OF SPORTS

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 330-340
Author(s):  
Wan-Ting Li ◽  
Li-Wei Lin
Keyword(s):  
Physical Education ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Physical Education Teachers ◽  
Main Body ◽  
New Era ◽  
Sports Organizations ◽  
Existing Problems ◽  
Teaching Objectives ◽  
Teaching Standards ◽  
Speed Up

The integration of physical education conforms to the needs of powerful countries in education and sports, and conforms to the training and development of young people in the new era. Through the method of literature and interview, this paper summarizes and analyzes the practice of physical education integration in China, analyzes the difficulties existing in the integration of physical education in multi-subject intercommunication and integration, and puts forward the further improvement path. present, the existing problems mainly include: people's insufficient understanding of the concept of physical education integration; The post system is not clear in the intercommunication of various subjects of physical education and financial system; The teaching or training objectives of each subject are not clear; There are many sports items, the primary and secondary are unclear, and the hierarchy is chaotic. The professional ability and knowledge level of each main body are not uniform; Therefore, it is necessary to take measures to deeply implement the concept of physical education to improve the cognition of physical education integration. To establish a system of cooperative governance of multiple subjects integrating physical education; Establish teaching standards at all levels, and clarify teaching objectives and requirements; Establishing a training service platform for sports and education integration with big data; To increase the pilot of physical education integration in order to speed up the implementation process of physical education integration in China, to better train the socialist builders and successors who develop morally, intellectually, physically, aesthetically, and labor comprehensively, and to develop the cause of physical education in China.

University Vocal Training and Vocal Health of Music Educators and Music Therapists

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 46-54
Author(s):  
Vicki D. Baker ◽  
Nicki Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Music Educators ◽  
Music Instruction ◽  
Vocal Fatigue ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Vocal Health ◽  
Large Classes ◽  
Vocal Training ◽  
The University ◽  
University Training

The purpose of this study was to describe the university vocal training and vocal health of music educators and music therapists. The participants ( N = 426), music educators ( n = 351) and music therapists ( n = 75), completed a survey addressing demographics, vocal training, voice usage, and vocal health. Both groups reported singing at least 50% of the work day; moreover, music educators complained of vocal fatigue and hoarseness at the end of the week. Music educators expressed concern about their vocal health, due to the unique demands of music instruction and large classes. A majority of participants, particularly instrumental concentration majors, expressed a desire for more career-focused vocal training. Results suggest that additional university training in vocal health could help prevent vocal abuse and misuse among music educators and therapists; furthermore, music educators may be better qualified to promote healthy singing among developing voices.

scholarly journals Dolphin whistles: a functional misnomer revealed by heliox breathing

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. T. Madsen ◽  
F. H. Jensen ◽  
D. Carder ◽  
S. Ridgway
Keyword(s):  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphin ◽  
Sound Production ◽  
Large Range ◽  
Impedance Matching ◽  
Vocal Learning ◽  
Vocal Folds ◽  
Terrestrial Mammals ◽  
Nasal Tissue ◽  
Air Density

Delphinids produce tonal whistles shaped by vocal learning for acoustic communication. Unlike terrestrial mammals, delphinid sound production is driven by pressurized air within a complex nasal system. It is unclear how fundamental whistle contours can be maintained across a large range of hydrostatic pressures and air sac volumes. Two opposing hypotheses propose that tonal sounds arise either from tissue vibrations or through actual whistle production from vortices stabilized by resonating nasal air volumes. Here, we use a trained bottlenose dolphin whistling in air and in heliox to test these hypotheses. The fundamental frequency contours of stereotyped whistles were unaffected by the higher sound speed in heliox. Therefore, the term whistle is a functional misnomer as dolphins actually do not whistle, but form the fundamental frequency contour of their tonal calls by pneumatically induced tissue vibrations analogous to the operation of vocal folds in terrestrial mammals and the syrinx in birds. This form of tonal sound production by nasal tissue vibrations has probably evolved in delphinids to enable impedance matching to the water, and to maintain tonal signature contours across changes in hydrostatic pressures, air density and relative nasal air volumes during dives.

scholarly journals Anatomical structures involved in non-human vocalization

2005 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 33-43
Author(s):  
Alban Gebler ◽  
Roland Frey
Keyword(s):  
Sound Production ◽  
Vocal Tract ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Thyroid Cartilage ◽  
Vocal Folds ◽  
Anatomical Structures ◽  
Volume Increase ◽  
Human Voice ◽  
Acoustic Analyses ◽  
Mass Increase

In order to understand the functional morphology of the human voice producing system, we are in need of data on the vocal tract anatomy of other mammalian species. The larynges and vocal tracts of four species of Artiodactyla were investigated in combination with acoustic analyses of their respective calls. Different evolutionary specializations of laryngeal characters may lead to similar effects on sound production. In the investigated species, such specializations are: the elongation and mass increase of the vocal folds, the volume increase of the laryngeal vestibulum by an enlarged thyroid cartilage and the formation of laryngeal ventricles. Both the elongation of the vocal folds and the increase of the oscillating masses lower the fundamental frequency. The influence of an increased volume of the laryngeal vestibulum on sound production remains unclear. The anatomical and acoustic results are presented together with considerations about the habitats and the mating systems of the respective species.  

scholarly journals The impact of voice on speech realization

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-101
Author(s):  
Jelka Breznik
Keyword(s):  
Sound Production ◽  
Vocal Folds ◽  
Spoken Word ◽  
Communication Process ◽  
Human Voice ◽  
Voice Tone ◽  
Identity Card ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Voice

The study discusses spoken literary language and the impact of voice on speech realization. The voice consists of a sound made by a human being using the vocal folds for talking, singing, laughing, crying, screaming… The human voice is specifically the part of human sound production in which the vocal folds (vocal cords) are the primary sound source. Our voice is our instrument and identity card. How does the voice (voice tone) affect others and how do they respond, positively or negatively? How important is voice (voice tone) in communication process? The study presents how certain individuals perceive voice. The results of the research on the relationships between the spoken word, excellent speaker, voice and description / definition / identification of specific voices done by experts in the field of speech and voice as well as non-professionals are presented. The study encompasses two focus groups. One consists of amateurs (non-specialists in the field of speech or voice who have no knowledge in this field) and the other consists of professionals who work with speech or language or voice. The questions were intensified from general to specific, directly related to the topic. The purpose of such a method of questioning was to create relaxed atmosphere, promote discussion, allow participants to interact, complement, and to set up self-listening and additional comments.

scholarly journals Vocal Fold Epithelial Barrier in Health and Injury: A Research Review

2014 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 1679-1691 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Erickson Levendoski ◽  
Ciara Leydon ◽  
Susan L. Thibeault
Keyword(s):  
Vocal Fold ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Vocal Folds ◽  
Research Review ◽  
Epithelial Barrier ◽  
Vocal Health ◽  
Significant Area ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Junctional Complexes ◽  
Mucus Barrier

PurposeVocal fold epithelium is composed of layers of individual epithelial cells joined by junctional complexes constituting a unique interface with the external environment. This barrier provides structural stability to the vocal folds and protects underlying connective tissue from injury while being nearly continuously exposed to potentially hazardous insults, including environmental or systemic-based irritants such as pollutants and reflux, surgical procedures, and vibratory trauma. Small disruptions in the epithelial barrier may have a large impact on susceptibility to injury and overall vocal health. The purpose of this article is to provide a broad-based review of current knowledge of the vocal fold epithelial barrier.MethodA comprehensive review of the literature was conducted. Details of the structure of the vocal fold epithelial barrier are presented and evaluated in the context of function in injury and pathology. The importance of the epithelial-associated vocal fold mucus barrier is also introduced.Results/ConclusionsInformation presented in this review is valuable for clinicians and researchers as it highlights the importance of this understudied portion of the vocal folds to overall vocal health and disease. Prevention and treatment of injury to the epithelial barrier is a significant area awaiting further investigation.

Where Good Intentions Meet Harsh Realities: Teaching Large Classes in Physical Education

1999 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter A. Hastie ◽  
Stephen W. Sanders ◽  
R. Scott Rowland
Keyword(s):  
Elementary School ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Learning Experiences ◽  
Physical Educators ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Large Classes ◽  
Quality Instruction ◽  
Quality Learning

This paper examines the practices and experiences of three elementary school physical educators as they attempt to provide quality learning experiences to classes as large as 75 students. Through a series of lesson observations and interviews, it was determined that while these teachers were providing high quality instruction to their students, they were working under considerable hardship. They had, in particular, feelings of marginalization and powerlessness over their situations. While the notion of daily physical education is praise-worthy, the results of this study would suggest caution in mandating such practice without concurrent increases in staffing and funding.

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