The Extra-normal Voice

Author(s):  
Michael Edward Edgerton

This chapter presents an overview of new developments in vocal exploration. Beginning with a discussion of multiple parameters involved in voice production, this chapter identifies the crucial role that non-linear phenomena has in the performance of the extra-normal voice. In this article, two related taxonomies are presented (source production related to degree of voicing; emphases within the acoustic framework of power, source, resonance, and articulation) that may be used as powerful generative tools for the production of multiple sound sources, filtering processes, and aerodynamic effects, etc. The paper then posits how scaled, multidimensional networks may be used to intelligently explore all elements of the acoustic sound production apparatus and not solely articulation, as is seen with some proponents of complex networks. In this discussion, it will be presented how fully scaling each parameter space will encompass far reaching benefits by engaging with little traversed regions of the total vocal topography.

2007 ◽  
Vol 274 (1626) ◽  
pp. 2703-2710 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth K Jensen ◽  
Brenton G Cooper ◽  
Ole N Larsen ◽  
Franz Goller

The principal physical mechanism of sound generation is similar in songbirds and humans, despite large differences in their vocal organs. Whereas vocal fold dynamics in the human larynx are well characterized, the vibratory behaviour of the sound-generating labia in the songbird vocal organ, the syrinx, is unknown. We present the first high-speed video records of the intact syrinx during induced phonation. The syrinx of anaesthetized crows shows a vibration pattern of the labia similar to that of the human vocal fry register. Acoustic pulses result from short opening of the labia, and pulse generation alternates between the left and right sound sources. Spontaneously calling crows can also generate similar pulse characteristics with only one sound generator. Airflow recordings in zebra finches and starlings show that pulse tone sounds can be generated unilaterally, synchronously or by alternating between the two sides. Vocal fry-like dynamics therefore represent a common production mechanism for low-frequency sounds in songbirds. These results also illustrate that complex vibration patterns can emerge from the mechanical properties of the coupled sound generators in the syrinx. The use of vocal fry-like dynamics in the songbird syrinx extends the similarity to this unusual vocal register with mammalian sound production mechanisms.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gouhei Tanaka ◽  
Kai Morino ◽  
Kazuyuki Aihara

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Malvestio ◽  
Alessio Cardillo ◽  
Naoki Masuda

Abstract The organisation of a network in a maximal set of nodes having at least k neighbours within the set, known as $$k$$ k -core decomposition, has been used for studying various phenomena. It has been shown that nodes in the innermost $$k$$ k -shells play a crucial role in contagion processes, emergence of consensus, and resilience of the system. It is known that the $$k$$ k -core decomposition of many empirical networks cannot be explained by the degree of each node alone, or equivalently, random graph models that preserve the degree of each node (i.e., configuration model). Here we study the $$k$$ k -core decomposition of some empirical networks as well as that of some randomised counterparts, and examine the extent to which the $$k$$ k -shell structure of the networks can be accounted for by the community structure. We find that preserving the community structure in the randomisation process is crucial for generating networks whose $$k$$ k -core decomposition is close to the empirical one. We also highlight the existence, in some networks, of a concentration of the nodes in the innermost $$k$$ k -shells into a small number of communities.


2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Barry

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.


1994 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 1229-1243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine M. Sapienza ◽  
Elaine T. Stathopoulos

Simultaneous assessment of laryngeal and respiratory function was completed on 8 children and 10 women with bilateral vocal fold nodules and compared to that of 8 children and 10 women with normal voice production. Laryngeal function for the individuals with bilateral vocal fold nodules was characterized by significantly higher peak, altemating, and minimum glottal airflow. The presence of the high glottal airflow was accompanied by a significantly larger lung volume excursion. Both the children with nodules and those with normal voice showed laryngeal and respiratory function differences when compared to adults. All subject groups demonstrated appropriate laryngeal and respiratory function when increasing intensity from comfortable to loud speech. Simultaneous measurement of laryngeal and respiratory function using a multidimensional analysis of voice production is advocated in the evaluation of voice disorders because it can provide specific information regarding which of the subsystems of voice production are compromised.


1980 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 361-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Murry ◽  
E. Thomas Doherty

The purpose of this study was to determine if measures of speaking fundamental frequency and its perturbation could be useful in differentiating talkers with no known vocal pathology and talkers with cancer of the larynx. Ten male subjects, five with a diagnosed malignancy of the larynx and five with normal voice, produced speech samples from which five voice production measures were obtained: the average speaking fundamental frequency (SFF), SFF variability during the reading of a sentence, the f 0 of a sustained vowel and a percent and magnitude jitter value. The perturbation factors, both directional and magnitudinal, during sustained vowels were found to be significant in discriminating normal talkers from those with laryngeal cancer. The speaking funda- mental frequency and its variability during the reading of a sentence improved the dis- criminant function.


2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 14-18
Author(s):  
Jeanne O. Madrid ◽  
Celso V. Ureta

Objective:  To investigate by means of videostoboscopy the characteristics of the neoglottis after total laryngectomy with primary or secondary voice reconstruction using a non-prosthetic tracheoesophageal fistula technique Methods:        Design: Cross-Sectional Study Setting: Tertiary Public Hospital        Subjects: Twenty alaryngeal patients Results:  Videostroboscopy enabled evaluation of the neoglottis in all but two patients with a pectoralis major myocutaneous flap reconstruction of the pharyngoesophageal segment. Pooling of saliva was present in the cranial neoglottic opening in all subjects, but obscured visualization in these two. A circular neoglottic shape was most commonly seen.  Vibration of the neoglottis was noted in 90% of all alaryngeal patients and was associated with a regular mucosal wave.  Pharyngoesophageal vibration was noted in two thirds of patients.  It was associated with a strong mucosal wave, regular vibration and a longer open phase. Conclusion: Videostroboscopy confirmed that neoglottic vibration accompanies sound production while pharyngoesophageal vibration may reinforce and enhance voice production in alaryngeal patients with non-prosthetic TE voice reconstruction.    Keywords:  larynx, total laryngectomy, voice reconstruction, tracheoesophageal (te) fistula speech, alaryngeal voice, alaryngeal speech, videostrobe    


2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 31-42
Author(s):  
Albin Wagener ◽  
Mariane Gazaille

Parfois, l’enseignement des langues semble oublier que les langues sont vivantes et qu’elles obéissent à des rythmes précis. Avant que d’être écrites, les langues sont parlées et impliquent plusieurs éléments physiques : cordes vocales, appareil phonatoire, muscles, mais également le corps entier pour les dimensions paraverbales et non verbales (Cosnier & Brossard, 1984). La question qui se pose dès lors est « comment favoriser l’articulation des dimensions verbale, paraverbale et non-verbale chez l’apprenant d’une langue seconde ou étrangère ? » Pour ce, il convient d’apporter une attention particulière au contexte systémique d’émergence des langues et de leurs rapports écologique et social au monde (Mühlhäusler, 2003). Nous inspirant des pratiques théâtrales (Tabensky, 1997), nous proposons ici une vision intégrative de l’enseignement des langues vivantes basée sur la musicalité de la parole, les gestes, la posture et les actions langagières afin de porter l’accent sur la dimension communicative (Meunier, 2003) et émotionnelle (Frijda, 2003) inhérente aux langues vivantes. Language, Rhythm and Art: Towards a Physical and Musical Approach to Language Teaching Language teaching sometimes sets aside the fact that languages are living entities, submitted to precise rhythms. Since languages are alive, they are spoken before being written and rely on physical elements: vocal cords, sound production apparatus, muscles and also the entire body, in the case of paraverbal and nonverbal dimensions (Cosnier & Brossard, 1984). The question that now arises is that of the articulation of the verbal, paraverbal and non-verbal dimensions for the second or foreign language learner. In order to do so, it is necessary to take the systemic context of emergence of languages and their ecological and social relations to the world (Mühlhäusler, 2003) into consideration. Drawing on theatre practices (Tabensky, 1997), we thus wish to submit a comprehensive perspective of language teaching based on the musicality of speech, gestures, postures and speech acts in order to underline the communicative (Meunier, 2003) and emotional (Frijda, 2003) dimensions of languages.


2016 ◽  
Vol 59 (6) ◽  
pp. 1335-1345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda S. Fryd ◽  
Jarrad H. Van Stan ◽  
Robert E. Hillman ◽  
Daryush D. Mehta

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