Velopharyngeal Timing in Classical Singers
Velopharyngeal Timing in Classical Singers: An Aerodynamic Study
Nasality and the opening of the velopharyngeal port has been long debated among vocal pedagogues concerning its acoustic effects and the propriety of its use. Several research studies have been conducted on the physiology of the velopharyngeal (VP) mechanism and its acoustic consequences in classical singers. The present study aims to relate the temporal aspects of VP movement in classical singers in speaking versus singing tasks. A longer duration of VP opening is hypothesized in speech compared to singing. Most singers are constantly told to lift their soft palate while singing vowels to achieve more pharyngeal space, and consequently, singers should be able to open and close the VP port quickly to produce the / m / without significant anticipatory or carryover nasality. Ten female sopranos were recruited; all subjects were in at least their third year of a collegiate vocal performance program, trained in a classical or operatic style under a teacher who is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Each participant was instructed to either sing or speak the phrase: “I will say hamper” on the pitches of C4 or C5 and at soft, medium and loud dynamic levels. Accounting for mode of production, pitch, and loudness, twelve samples for each subject were recorded. Before each task a pure tone of either C4 or C5 was played, and a metronome at 120 beats per minute (bpm) was played. Participants were instructed to produce each syllable of “I will say hamper” at one beat per syllable. A pressure-flow device (PERCI-SAR system, MicroTronics, Inc., Chapel Hill, NC) was used to collect oral pressure, nasal pressure, and nasal airflow during each task. Temporal aspects of the oral pressure peaks and nasal airflow peaks were compared to estimate the timing of VP movement and the size of the VP opening. Data collection and analysis for the present study are undergoing.