Overview
- Four elements of an instrument
- Vocal anatomy of the instrument
- Cycle of Phonation
HOW YOUR VOICE WORKS
THE FOUR ELEMENTS OF AN INSTRUMENT
- Actuator – Puts an object into motion
- Vibrator – Surface that moves at a consistent and intentional speed, which pushes air around into a sound wave
- Resonator – A chamber or space that enhances and amplifies the sound wave, making it more audible and identifiable
- Articulator – Adjustable or fixed parts that further shape the sound and give it character
THE CYCLE OF PHONATION
The Cycle of Phonation begins when the brain sends the signal to inhale. Try the following mental exercise by filling in the missing labels:
Actuation
Air is released through a controlled relaxation of the inhalation muscles, forcing air (our breath) upwards from the lungs and through the larynx at the top of the trachea.
Vibration
The moving air passes through the larynx where the vocal folds are housed. When the folds are brought together against the air, they vibrate at varying speeds, depending on how tight or relaxed the folds are.
Resonation
The movement of the vocal folds changes the way the air molecules are moved, forming a sound wave (fundamental frequency). This wave is then enhanced and molded into desired tones in the resonating chambers of space, known as the vocal tract. The vocal tract includes the pharynx (throat), oral cavities and nasal cavities.
Articulation
The enhanced frequency is then further refined and can be intentionally disrupted to create identifiable shapes and sounds (vowels and consonants) by adjusting the muscles related to the tongue, jaw and lips.
CONNECT THE VOICE TO OTHER INSTRUMENTS
Name an instrument other than the voice and identify its Actuator, Vibrator, Resonator and Articulator:
INSTRUMENT: _______________________
ACTUATOR: _______________________
VIBRATOR: _______________________
RESONATOR: _______________________
ARTICULATOR: _______________________
What Did You Learn?
- What are the four elements of an instrument are
- What the Cycle of Phonation is and how it begins
- The vocal anatomy that plays a role in the Cycle of Phonation
THE VOCAL GYM FOR HOMESCHOOL
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BENEFITS OF THE VOCAL GYM FOR HOMESCHOOLERS
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References:
Abstract:
Titze (2006) presents the Myoelastic Aerodynamic Theory of Phonation, which provides a scientific foundation for the four elements of an instrument and the cycle of phonation. The theory describes the actuator as the controlled relaxation of inhalation muscles that forces air upwards from the lungs and through the larynx. The vibrator is identified as the vocal folds housed in the larynx that vibrate against the airflow. The resonator is described as the vocal tract, including the pharynx, oral cavities, and nasal cavities, which enhances and molds the sound wave formed by the movement of the vocal folds. Lastly, the articulator is identified as the muscles related to the tongue, jaw, and lips that refine and shape the sound wave into identifiable shapes and sounds through intentional disruptions, such as vowels and consonants.
Abstract:
Lieberman (2010) discusses the motor control aspects of speech production, including the cycle of phonation. The actuation phase is described as the controlled relaxation of inhalation muscles that allows air to be forced upwards from the lungs and through the larynx. The vibration phase is explained as the vocal folds vibrating against the airflow in the larynx, which determines the fundamental frequency of the sound wave. The resonation phase is identified as the vocal tract, including the pharynx, oral cavities, and nasal cavities, where the sound wave is enhanced and molded. The articulation phase is discussed as the intentional disruptions of the enhanced frequency through adjustments of the muscles related to the tongue, jaw, and lips to create identifiable shapes and sounds.
Abstract:
Ishizaka and Flanagan (1972) present a two-mass model of the vocal cords, which provides insights into the vibration and resonation phases of the cycle of phonation. The model describes the vocal cords as the vibrator that generates sound waves when brought together against the airflow. The resonator is identified as the vocal tract, including the pharynx, oral cavities, and nasal cavities, where the sound wave is enhanced and shaped. The authors also discuss the articulation phase, where the refined frequency can be intentionally disrupted to create identifiable shapes and sounds through adjustments of the muscles related to the tongue, jaw, and lips.