The function of laryngeal muscles in regulating fundamental frequency and intensity of phonation

The activity of three intrinsic laryngeal muscles in the regulation of fundamental frequency and intensity of phonation was studied electromyographically in six subjects. The regulatory mechanism of fundamental frequency and intensity differed for different registers and fundamental frequencies. In general, the contribution of the laryngeal muscles in changing these parameters was greater in chest register than in falsetto and particularly less in high falsetto. There was no essential difference in the muscular activity patterns between singing in chest register and normal speech as far as control of these two aspects of voice is concerned.

Use of hooked-wire electrodes for electromyography of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles

A new technique for electromyography of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles with bipolar hooked-wire electrodes is described in detail. This technique has the following important advantages for investigating speech activity: (1) it offers minimum discomfort to the subject, and consequently does not interfere with natural speech; (2) the electrodes stay in place regardless of rapid movements of the vocal cords or of the entire larynx during speech; and (3) it permits considerable localization of the area from which electrical activity is picked up.