Summary
Objectives
The present study aimed to assess the aerodynamic characteristics of vocally healthy
metal singers when producing growl voice or reinforced falsetto.
Methods
Fifty-four participants (metal singers) were initially enrolled in this study, with
23 meeting the inclusion criteria. Sixteen participants performed growl voice and
seven performed reinforced falsetto as a voice resource during metal singing. All
participants were asked to undergo rigid laryngeal videostroboscopy to confirm the
absence of laryngeal pathology. Then, subjects were aerodynamically assessed while
performing growl voice or reinforced falsetto.
Results
Higher glottal airflow rate, sound pressure level, and subglottic pressure (Psub)
for growl voice samples compared to vowel production without growl voice (keeping
the same fundamental frequency [F0]) were found. Higher Psub, sound pressure level,
and glottal resistance for high-pitched reinforced falsetto compared to naïve falsetto
(keeping the same F0) were found. No differences for F0 were found for neither growl
voice nor reinforced falsetto.
Conclusions
It seems that growl voice is produced by decreasing vocal folds adduction and increasing
Psub, which in turn, promotes an increased airflow rate. Reinforced falsetto is characterized
by an increased vocal fold adduction and an increased Psub. A proper resonance strategy
in reinforced falsetto and a decreased glottal adduction in growl voice might probably
be the factors that contribute to prevent voice problems in singers who use these
vocal resources, classically labeled as vocal abuse.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 13, 2018
Accepted:
April 30,
2018
Identification
Copyright
© 2018 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
