Correlation Between the Length and Sagittal Projection of the Upper and Lower Jaw and the Fundamental Frequency

Singing Voice Quality: The Effects of Maxillary Dental Arch and Singing Style

INTRODUCTION

In classical singing techniques, it is common to manipulate the vocal tract to channel airflow to increase voice quality and volume. Technique varies according to the style of the music, the voice type, and range of a given singer. Although these practices are intentional, fixed physiological aspects of a singer's vocal instrument also play an extremely impactful role in determining voice quality.

OBJECTIVES

In the present study, the relationship between the dimensions of the maxillary dental arch and voice quality were examined in professional singers.

METHODS

The dimensions of the palate were measured from the maxillary dental casts of 14 female singers. Audio recordings were made for the same participants while singing a sustained /a/ singing vowel, a glissando, the song "Are You Sleeping", and a selected song from their personal repertoire. The dimensions of the palate were measured from maxillary dental casts. From the recordings, two parameters were calculated: (1) the Singing Power Ratio (SPR) and (2) A₂ A₁ ratio. Higher SPR values indicate a stronger ring in the voice, typical of operatic singing style, while higher A₂ A₁ ratio values are associated with the belting singing style.

RESULTS

Singers with larger frontal palate depth, smaller posterior palate depth, larger frontal palate width, and smaller posterior palate width seem to be more suitable for an operatic singing style. Singers who had larger overall depth and width of the palate measurements produced an increased second harmonic, typical of the belting style.

CONCLUSIONS

When considering a singer's ability to produce vocalizations successfully, physiological structure is an increasingly important factor. The present study discovered that palate depth and width are associated with statistically significant differences in SPR and A₂/A₁ parameters. These parameters correlate with two styles of singing, operatic, and belting respectively.

Effect of Rapid Maxillary Expansion on Voice

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate the effect of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on the fundamental frequency (F0) and formant frequencies F1-F4.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 14 consecutive patients between the ages of 9.6 years and 15 years with a constricted maxilla undergoing RME were included in this study. Measurements were made before (T1) and after treatment (T2). These included maxillary arch length, depth, width, and perimeter in addition to F0, habitual pitch, and formants F1, F2, F3, and F4 for the vowels /ɑ/, /i/, /o/, and /u/.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in the mean of F1/ɑ/ and F2/ɑ/ before and after treatment (P value of 0.04 and 0.013, respectively). It is worth noting that F1/ɑ/ decreased in 11 and F2/ɑ/ decreased in 10 of the 14 subjects.

CONCLUSION

The application of RME in the treatment of maxillary constriction leads to a significant lowering of the first and second formants for the vowel /ɑ/ in most subjects. Subjects undergoing rapid maxillary application should be aware of the potential change in voice quality especially in case of professional voice users.

Voice Formants in Individuals With Congenital, Isolated, Lifetime Growth Hormone Deficiency

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the voice formants (F1, F2, F3, and F4 in Hz) of seven oral vowels, in Brazilian Portuguese, [a, ε, e, i, ɔ, o, and u] in adult individuals with congenital lifetime untreated isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD).

STUDY DESIGN

This is a cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Acoustic analysis of isolated vowels was performed in 33 individuals with IGHD, age 44.5 (17.6) years (16 women), and 29 controls, age 51.1 (17.6) years (15 women).

RESULTS

Compared with controls, IGHD men showed higher values of F3 [i, e, and ε], P = 0.006, P = 0.022, and P = 0.006, respectively and F4 [i], P = 0.001 and lower values of F2 [u], P = 0.034; IGHD women presented higher values of F1 [i and e] P = 0.029 and P = 0.036; F2 [ɔ] P = 0.006; F4 [ɔ] P = 0.031 and lower values of F2 [i] P = 0.004. IGHD abolished most of the gender differences in formant frequencies present in controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Congenital, severe IGHD results in higher values of most formant frequencies, suggesting smaller oral and pharyngeal cavities. In addition, it causes a reduction in the effect of gender on the structure of the formants, maintaining a prepubertal acoustic prediction.