Summary
Background
Rough vocal effects, extreme, or extended vocal techniques to sound intentionally
hoarse or rough are an integral part of many genres and styles, and research has recently
demonstrated the involvement of supraglottic narrowing and vibrations to produce such
sounds. The vocal health of singing with rough vocal effects is poorly documented,
especially in a longitudinal manner, while much vocal pedagogy continuously treats
the sounds as harming to or dangerous for the vocal mechanism.
Objective
To longitudinally investigate the vocal health of professional singers who perform
the five rough-sounding vocal effects Distortion, Growl, Grunt, Rattle, and Creaking
as part of their singing and teaching.
Methods
Twenty singers underwent nasoendoscopic examination, filled in SVHI questionnaires,
and were assessed by GRBAS with a 14-year interval in a retrospective longitudinal
study (from 2007 to 2021). Endoscopic materials were assessed by Reflux Finding Score
and a hybrid version of the Stroboscopy Rating Scale.
Results
Singers presented at initiation of study with an average SVHI of 9.2 (±9), which decreased
at time of follow up 14 years later to an average of 5.12 (±6). Laryngeal assessments
(RFS and SRS) revealed low averages at initiation of study as well as at conclusion
of the study with only small fluctuations in averages, with findings mainly relating
to arytenoid asymmetry.
Conclusion
The participating singers perform and teach rough vocal effects continually and present
with healthy laryngeal mechanisms and within-normal SVHI and GRBAS scores. The findings
suggest that controlled supraglottic narrowing and techniques to allow for supraglottic
structures to engage in vibration as an additional noise source can be performed sustainable
and in a healthy manner if performed with correct vocal technique.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 03, 2022
Accepted:
May 2,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2022 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
