What Singers NEED To Know About Their Instrument

Glossary

WELCOME TO THE GLOSSARY

This glossary is designed to be used as a resource when working through the Vocal Gym Course. Many words in this glossary include images. Note that the term being defined will be colored in blue, like the word “brain” is in the image below:

Abdominal Muscles

/ab-dä-mə-nəl mə-səls/
a group of muscles used to stabilize the body and work in conjunction with the diaphragm and intercostal muscles for the dimension of breathing, which include the external obliques, internal obliques, transversus abdominis and rectus abdominis located in the abdomen

Abduction

/ab-dək-shən/
the action of separating the vocal folds

Actuator

/ak-chə-wā-tər/
air pressure from the lungs (outgoing breath) that triggers the vibration of the vocal folds

Adduction

/ə-dək-shən/
the action of bringing the vocal folds together

Adrenaline

/ə-dre-nə-lən/
a hormone released by the adrenal glands as part of the “fight or flight” mechanism, allowing for a temporary increase in strength and speed of reflexes

Alveoli

/al-vē-ə-lī/
the millions of tiny sacs located in the lungs, which oxygen molecules pass through before entering the bloodstream and from which carbon dioxide is released

Amygdala

/ə-mig-də-lə/
a structure as part of the limbic system, which regulates a variety of emotions along with our “fight or flight” response

Approximation

/ə-präk-sə-mā-shən/
the act of bringing the vocal folds close together, from abduction (folds apart) to adduction (folds together) for phonating

Articulation

/är-ti-kyə-lə-tȯr/
the muscles affiliated with the tongue, jaw and lips, which refine, disrupt and shape the sound generated by the vocal instrument’s vibrator and resonator

Articulatory Muscles

/är-ti-kyə-lə-tȯr-ē mə-səls/
the tongue, jaw and lip muscle groups as part of the vocal tract, which assist in the dimension of articulation; tongue muscles include the tongue itself (superior, inferior and transverse longitudinal) and the attached muscles (palatoglossus, styloglossus, hyoglossus, genioglossus and geniohyoid); jaw muscles include the mastacian and mandibular depressors (temporalis, masseters, stylohoid, pterygoids, digastrics, mylohyoids and platysmas); lip muscles include the orbicularis oris and the surrounding expression muscles (levator labiis, zygomaticus, risorius, buccinator, depressors and mentalis)

Aryepiglottic

/ar'ē-ep-i-glot'ik/
fibers of the oblique arytenoid inside the larynx that assists in the movement of the epiglottis

Aryepiglottic Folds

/ar'ē-ep-i-glot'ik fōlds/
a mucosal membrane extending on each side of the epiglottis

Arytenoid Muscles

/a-rə-tē-nȯid mə-səl/
muscles of the larynx that swing and pivot for approximation (posterior cricoarytenoid, lateral cricoarytenoid, oblique and transverse arytenoid), as well as adjustments related to the thickness of the vocal folds

Back-pressure

/bak-presh-ər/
a resistant pressure exerted by air against the narrowing of the vocal tract, making it easier for the thyroarytenoid to disengage and the vocal folds to vibrate

Bernoulli Effect

/bər-nü-lē i-fekt/
for phonation, this principal of physics brings the outer layers of the vocal folds together in a rapid vibratory pattern when air passes between them at a constant rate

Brain

/brān/
an organ made of soft tissue located in the skull, which monitors, coordinates and regulates the actions of the body via the nervous system, including all processes related to singing

Buccinator

/bŭk′sĭ-nā′tər/
part of the articulatory muscle group, associated with the movement of the lips for diction and expression; assists in the dimension of articulation

Carbon Dioxide

/kär-bən dī-äk-sīd/
the by-product of the body’s usage of oxygen, passed through the alveolus walls, and released as part of the outgoing breath

Cerebellum

/ser-ə-be-ləm/
a brain structure responsible for initiating the auditory process and for coordinating and managing voluntary muscular activity such as posture, balance, coordination, speech and singing

Chest Register

/chest re-jə-stər/
when the vocal folds are approximated during phonation and in a thicker position than head register

Conscious Mind

/känt-shəs mīnd/
a part of the nervous system active in the prefrontal cortex, located in the frontal lobe of the brain, which is the center for reasoning, planning and self-awareness

Cricothyroid

/krīkȯ-thī-rȯid/
muscles (oblique and straight) that interacts with the thyroarytenoid (vocalis) muscle, primarily used to adjust tension of the vocal folds for the dimensions of flexibility, intonation and range, by tilting the thyroid cartilage forward

Depressors (lip muscles)

/de-pres´or/
part of the articulatory muscle group, associated with the movement of the lips for diction and expression, which include the labii inferiorus and anguli oris; assists in the dimension of articulation

Diaphragm

/dī-ə-fram/
dome-shaped muscle that divides the abdomen from the thorax (chest), primarily used for inhalation and as an antagonistic relationship with the exhalation muscles during phonation

Digastric

/di-gas´trik/
part of the articulatory muscle group, associated with the movement of the jaw for diction; assists in the dimension of articulation

Dopamine

/dō-pə-mēn/
a hormone affiliated with the feeling of joy, which the body can release in response to singing

Edema

/i-dē-mə/
swelling of the vocal folds, often due to friction or infection

Epiglottis

/ep-ə-glät-əs/
a leaf-shaped cartilage covered in a mucous membrane that closes over the larynx to protect it from foreign particles (food and liquid) when swallowing, which acts as part of the vocal tract, just above the vestibule folds

Epithelium

/e-pə-thē-lē-əm/
thin outermost layer of the vocal folds, which helps protect them from abrasion caused by the rapid movement of air when breathing and phonating

Exhalation Muscles

/eks-hə-lā-shən mə-səls/
group of muscles (internal intercostal and abdominal) that work in an antagonistic relationship with the inhalation muscles, used to regulate the release or compression of the lungs to push air outwards

External Intercostal

/ek-stər-nəl in-tər-käs-təl/
muscles situated between the ribs that expand the lungs to assists with inhalation

External Obliques

/ek-stər-nəl ō-blēks/
muscle located at the outer part of the abdominal wall that can assist in the control of exhalation

Falsetto Register

/fȯl-se-tō re-jə-stər/
when the vocal folds are in a thinner position than head register and slightly separated so that mainly just the edges of the folds vibrate

Feature Component

/fē-chər kəm-pō-nənt/
a vocal exercise component that defines a sound that is added to or interrupts a formant

Formant Component

/fȯr-mənt kəm-pō-nənt/
a vocal exercise component that defines a sustainable and identifiable sound created by the shape of the vocal tract

Frequency

/frē-kwənt-sē/
the vibrations of sound-per-second caused by the mucosal wave of the vocal folds

Genioglossus

/jē′nē-ō-glŏs′əs/
part of the articulatory muscle group, associated with the movement of the tongue for diction; assists in the dimension of articulation

Geniohyoid

/jē′nē-ō-hī′oid′/
part of the articulatory muscle group, associated with the movement of the tongue for diction; assists in the dimension of articulation

Glottal Shock/Stop

/glä-təl shäk/
a quick collision of the vocal folds, creating a short, non-musical, sound; also known as “glottal stop”

Glottis

/glä-təs/
the opening between the vocal folds

Hard Palate

/härd pa-lət)/
roof of the oral cavity (mouth) as part of the vocal tract

Head Register

/härd re-jə-stər)/
when the vocal folds are approximated during phonation and in a thinner position than chest register

Hippocampus

/hi-pə-kam-pəs/
a brain structure as part of the limbic system, associated with converting short-term memory into long-term memory

Hyaluronic Acid

/hīl-yu̇-rä-nik a-səd/
the water-based fluid stored in the LP of the folds, allowing them to vibrate with minimal friction

Hyoglossus

/hī′ō-glŏs′əs/
part of the articulatory muscle group, associated with the movement of the tongue for diction; assists in the dimension of articulation

Hyoid Bone

/hī-ȯid bōn/
a “floating“ U-shaped bone positioned at the base of the tongue and at the top of the larynx

Hyper-nasal

/hī-pər-nā-zəl/
the result of too much air passing through the nasal cavities, causing a “thin” or “whiney” sound

Hypo-nasal

/hī-pō-nā-zəl/
the result of not enough air entering the nasal cavities, causing a “darker,” “stuffy-nose,” type of sound

Hypothalamus

/hī-pə-tha-lə-məs/
a brain structure as part of the limbic system, which regulates hormone production, thirst, breathing, mood, pain and pleasure response, and circadian rhythm

Inhalation Muscles

/in-hə-lā-shən mə-səls/
group of muscles (external intercostal and diaphragm) that work in an antagonistic relationship with the exhalation muscles, used to create a vacuum within the lungs and draw air inward

Internal Intercostal

/in-tər-nəl in-tər-käs-təl/
muscles situated between the ribs that compress the lungs to assist with exhalation

Internal Obliques

/in-tər-nəl ō-blēks/
part of the abdominal wall that can assist in the control of exhalation

Lamina Propia

/la-mə-nə prō-pē-ü/
layers of the vocal folds that vibrate and produce sound, located between the epithelium (outermost layer) and the vocalis muscle (innermost layer), which is primarily made up of highly lubricated elastic fibers

Laryngopharynx

/lə-rin-gō-far-iŋks/
the lowest section of the pharynx (above the larynx), as part of the vocal tract, used to cultivate the dimension of tone

Larynx

/ler-iŋks/
organ located at the top of the trachea with walls of cartilage and muscle, which house the vocal folds for phonation; also responsible for assisting in the action of swallowing, respiration and can act as a pressure relief valve

Lateral Cricoarytenoid

/la-tə-rəl krī-kȯ-a-rə-tē-nȯid/
muscles located inside the larynx, partially responsible for bringing the vocal folds together (adduction)

Levator

/lĕ-va´ter/
muscle associated with movement of the lips for articulation and expression

Lungs

/ləŋs/
two large sponge like organs filled with millions of alveoli as part of the vocal instrument’s respiratory system, and source of air used in the exhalation process for phonating

Limbic System

/lim-bik sis-təm/
a collection of structures in the brain, which manages our pre-rational (unconscious) programming, consisting of emotional, regulatory and protective operations

Masseters

/mə-sē′tər/
part of the articulatory muscle group, associated with the movement of the jaw for diction, which includes the superficial and deep masseters; assists in the dimension of articulation

Mentalis

/men-tā'lis/
part of the articulatory muscle group, associated with the movement of the lips for diction and expression; assists in the dimension of articulation

Mucosal Wave

/myü-kō-zəl wāv/
a type of vibration created by the wave like action of the vocal folds’ outer layers (LP), which pushes air molecules around at various speeds, creating frequencies that the human ear and brain interprets as sound

Mylohyoid

/mi″lo-hi´oid/
part of the articulatory muscle group, associated with the movement of the jaw for diction; assists in the dimension of articulation

Nasal Cavities

/nā-zəl ka-və-tēs/
pathways made of cartilage, between the nasopharynx and nostrils, as part of the vocal instrument’s resonator

Nasopharynx

/nā-zō-far-iŋks/
the highest section of the pharynx (which opens up to the nasal cavities), as part of the vocal tract, used to cultivate the dimension of tone

Oblique Arytenoid

/ō-blēk a-rə-tē-nȯid/
muscles located inside the larynx, partially responsible for bringing the vocal folds together (adduction)

Orbicularis Oris

/ōr-bik'yū-lā'ris ōrĭs/
part of the articulatory muscle group, associated with the shape and movement of the lips for diction and expression; assists in the dimension of articulation

Oral Cavity

/ȯr-əl ka-və-tē/
open space created by the tongue, oropharynx, soft palate, cheeks and hard palate as part of the vocal tract; associated more with the dimension of articulation than tone

Oropharynx

/ȯr-ə-far-iŋks/
the middle section of the pharynx, as part of the vocal tract, used to cultivate the dimension of tone

Overtone

/ō-vər-tōn/
additional, or partial, frequencies created from the fundamental sound wave reflecting in the vocal tract (resonator)

Oxygen

/äk-si-jən/
a colorless, odorless, type of gas mixed into the air we breathe, which the vocal instrument (body) needs to sustain itself

Oxytocin

/äk-sē-tō-sən/
a hormone affiliated with the feeling of intimacy and attachment, which the brain can release in response to singing

Palatoglossus

/păl″ă-tō-glŏs′ŭs/
part of the articulatory muscle group, associated with the movement of the tongue for diction; assists in the dimension of articulation

Passaggio

/pu-säj-ē-ō/
the process of transitioning from one vocal register to another; also known as “bridge,” “middle” and “mix”

Pattern Component

/pa-tərn kəm-pō-nənt/
a vocal exercise component that defines the order and duration of each note within a given exercise

Pharynx

/far-iŋks/
the portion of the throat most affiliated with the dimension of tone, which extends from the larynx to the nasal cavity and can be divided into three regions; laryngopharynx, oropharynx and nasopharynx

Phonate

/fō-nāt/
any type of vocal sound (singing, speaking, crying, laughing, grunting etc.) created by the vibration of the vocal folds

Pitch

/pich/
a selected frequency created by a consistent speed of vocal fold vibration

Platysma

/plah-tiz´mah/
part of the articulatory muscle group, associated with the movement of the jaw for diction and expression; assists in the dimension of articulation

Posterior Cricoarytenoid

/pō-stir-ē-ər krīkȯ-a-rə-tē-nȯid/
muscles located inside the larynx, primarily responsible for separating the vocal folds (abduction)

Prefrontal Cortex

/prē-frən-təl kȯr-teks/
located in the frontal lobe of the brain, responsible for self-awareness, reasoning and planning

Pterygoid

/ter´ĭ-goid/
part of the articulatory muscle group, associated with the movement of the jaw for diction; assists in the dimension of articulation

Rectus Abdominis

/rek-təs ab-də-mən-is/
part of the abdominal wall that can assist in the control of exhalation

Resonator

/re-zə-nā-tər/
the chamber of space in the vocal instrument (vocal tract) that contributes additional resonant frequencies in response to the vocal folds' vibration

Risorius

/ī-sŏ′rē-ŭs/
part of the articulatory muscle group, associated with the movement of the lips for diction and expression; assists in the dimension of articulation

Subconscious Mind

/səb-känt-shəs mīnd/
database of learned information and behaviors in various parts of the brain, which allow the mind to “automatically” process and moderate body actions

Subglottic Pressure

/səb-glät-ik pre-shər/
air pressure underneath the vocal folds, managed by the exhalation muscles and the approximation of the folds

Soft Palate

/sȯft pa-lət/
muscle tissue in the upper rear section of the oral cavity, used to channel desired amounts of air (and sound) into the mouth and nose as part of the vocal tract

Styloglossus

/stī-lō-glŏs′ŭs/
part of the articulatory muscle group, associated with the movement of the tongue for diction; assists in the dimension of articulation

Stylohyoid

/stī'lō-hī'oyd/
part of the articulatory muscle group, associated with the movement of the jaw for diction; assists in the dimension of articulation

Temporalis

/tĕm'pō-rā′lĭs/
part of the articulatory muscle group, associated with the movement of the jaw for diction; assists in the dimension of articulation

Tempo Component

/tem-pō kəm-pō-nənt/
a vocal exercise component that defines the speed at which a pattern is played, measured by beats per minute (bpm)

Thoracic

/thə-ra-sik/
the space above the diaphragm and enclosed by the ribs (chest), which houses the lungs and heart

Thyroarytenoid

/thī-rō-a-rə-tē-nȯid/
intrinsic muscle of the larynx that can increase and decrease the tension and mass of the vocal folds in an antagonistic relationship with the cricothyroid muscle, directly affiliated with the dimensions of flexibility, intonation, range and strength

Thyroepiglottic

/thi″ro-ep″ĭ-glot´ik/
intrinsic muscle of the larynx that assists in the movement of the epiglottis; associated with the dimension of tone as part of the vocal tract

Thyroid Cartilage

/thī-rȯid kär-tə-lij/
outer shell of the larynx, often referred to as the “Adam’s Apple”

Tone

/tōn/
resonant patterns (formation of amplified frequencies) created primarily by the shape of the spaces above the larynx (vocal tract); sometimes referred to as “timbre”

Tongue

/təŋ/
an organ of the human body located in the mouth, made up of the superior, inferior and transverse longitudinal muscles, covered in a tissue called mucosa; partially shapes the vocal tract and is associated with the dimension of articulation and tone

Trachea

/trā-kē-ə/
a windpipe connecting the lungs to the larynx

Transverse Arytenoid

/trans-vərs a-rə-tē-nȯid/
muscle located inside the larynx, partially responsible for bringing the vocal folds together (adduction)

Transversus Abdominis

/trans-vərs-əs ab-də-mən-is/
part of the abdominal wall that can assist in the control of exhalation

Unconscious Mind

/ən-kän-shəs mīnd/
emotional, regulatory and protective operations in the brain (limbic system), which takes place unaware to the conscious and subconscious minds

Variable Component

/ver-ē-ə-bəl kəm-pō-nənt/
a vocal exercise component that defines an intentional modification or action with the body’s posture

Vestibule Folds

/ves-tə-byül fōlds/
a pair of thick folds above the vocal folds in the larynx, designed to manage air pressure, not vibration; also known as “false folds”

Vibrator

/vī-brā-tər/
the part of the vocal instrument that vibrates (vocal folds) in reaction to the released air pressure from the lungs

Vocal Folds

/vō-kəl fōlds/
the bottom set of folds in the larynx used for phonation, made of five layers; epithelium, lamina propia (superficial, intermediate and deep) and the vocalis muscle; also known as “true folds” or “vocal cords”

Vocal Fry Register

/vō-kəl frī re-jə-stər/
considered to be the lowest vocal register, with an irregular vibration of the vocal folds caused by a lack of subglottic pressure and slight release in tension

Vocal Register

/vō-kəl re-jə-stər/
a position of the vocal folds and its interaction with airflow and resonator, which can be categorized as “vocal fry,” “chest,” “head,” “falsetto” and “whistle”

Vocal Tract

/vō-kəl trakt/
the collective spaces between the vocal folds and lips or nostrils (pharynx, oral cavity and nasal cavities), which act as the instrument’s resonator

Vocalis

/vō-kā-ləs/
the medial part of the thyroarytenoid muscle and innermost part of the vocal folds, which cause them to thicken when contracted, playing a significant role in phonation and vocal register positioning

Vocalize

/vō-kə-līz/
the act of phonating with intent to train and improve skill or coordination of the voice for singing and speaking

Volume Component

/väl-yəm kəm-pō-nənt/
a vocal exercise component that defines the general measurement of decibels (dB) in which it is practiced

Whistle Register

/hwi-səl re-jə-stər/
considered to be the highest vocal register, which takes place when the vocal folds are pulled tight with a tiny space for air to travel through, forcing air molecules to create high-pitched frequencies

Zygomaticus

/zī″gō-mătĭk-ŭs/
part of the articulatory muscle group, associated with the movement of the lips for diction and expression; assists in the dimension of articulation