| Abstract: | Previous research indicated that, as groups, male (bass/baritone) and female (soprano) professional singers tend to exhibit differing vocal tract and voice source behaviours. The use of an objective measure of voice xeroradiographic-electrolaryngographic analysis (XEL)] revealed differences between the two voice types, especially at the highest sample pitches (e, 330 Hz for bass/baritones, and e″, 1,320 Hz for sopranos). XEL analysis combines two known techniques, i.e., soft-tissue radiographic imaging (xeroradiography), and an analysis of voice-source vibratory patterning (electrolaryngography). Subsequent to this investigation, interest centered on the male professional falsetto voice over a two-octave range (E 165 Hz to e′ 660 Hz) using a sample (n=9) of professional countertenors. Results suggest that there are characteristic trends in the patterning of the male professional falsetto register, but there is also evidence of within-group variability. The subjects significantly increased the size of the pharyngeal tube area during phonation. ANOVA and Trend Analysis revealed ventricular space as the only measure to expand systematically and consistently as sung pitch increases. |
