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TRAINING THE SINGING VOICE |
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posed entirely of parts of the human body. [Drew 147, p. 171] It must also be remembered that "the functions of the larynx are not purely phona.-tory.,s fEvetts and Woithington 167, p. 17] The larynx is also involved in several non-vocal functions, such as eating, swallowing and breathing*-[Witherspoon 677, p. 14] The method of phonation used by man has the advantage that "sound can be produced during respiration without the interruption of any vital process." [Negus 418, p. 346] "Almost all the peculiarities of structure of the larynx can be accounted for by necessities of functions other than those of phonation." [Ibid., p. 344] Therefore, "to design exercises for these organs, it Is necessary to consider their primary functions." [Drew 147, p. 174]
8. Acousiicai analogies. The phonatory mechanism has been compared with other musical instruments to illustrate its acoustical properties. Foir example:
a. Voice Is like a wind instrument. [Redfieid 462]
b. It is like a stringed instrument. [Mackenzie 364]
c. It is a combination of both. [Dodds and Llckley 139]
d. It vibrates like a reed. [Aikin 4]
On the other hand, Clippinger maintains that voice is voice and is not to
be compared to any other Instrument because "it is not like any other instrument." [115] Three other general observations regarding phonation are of interest:
First, Bonavia-Hnnt's vortex theory of vocal tone production states that:
the vocal cords themselves do not generate sound. "They produce eddy currents, or Vortex rings* of air, one eddy at each complete vibration . . -just as the lips of a horn player shoot an eddy into the mouthpiece** oE
his instrument. The energy, size and velocity of these vortex rings are controlled by the tension, frequency and degree of air blast produced by the vibrating vocal cords (lips), with the result that sound is generated. [55; Herbert-Caesari 269, p. xii] "That the laryngeal sounds are not due to vibrations of the vocal ligaments themselves Is common knowledge; the sounds so produced would be feeble. It is cutting of the air current into rhythmical puffs—as in a siren—which is the important factor.'* [Negus 418, p. 368]
Second^ Dodds and llckley point out that It is erroneous to assume that vocal tone actually consists of "puffs of breath," since these puffs o£ breath could travel only a very short distance. Vocal sound waves do not require air currents for their projection through space. They travel with. an approximate speed of 1100 feet per second, radiating simultaneously |
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