The Vocal Process How the Voice Works

Food for thought What are the four physiological steps of the human vocal process? -Respiration -Phonation -Resonation -Articulation

Motivator Mind and body connection. Brain sends command to the body Resulting in muscle activation that controls the vocal process.

1. Respiration Breath Energy Muscles and organs work together (trachea, lungs, bronchi, diaphragm, ribs and abdominal muscles) Result is control of air flow Fuel of Vocal Tone

2. Phonation (vibrator) Creation of Tone. The voice box (larynx) coordinates airflow. This results in vibration of vocal folds.

3. Resonation (resonator) Enhancement of tone. Throat, mouth and nose act as an acoustic secondary box to reinforce the buzz from the vocal folds. Ex. Singing in the shower

4. Articulation Shape sound into recognizable speech sounds. Tongue, jaw, cheeks, teeth, lips, hard and soft palate, and dental ridges. The only natural instrument capable of creating an infinite variety of sounds.

Intriguing question Why do people sing flat or out of tune? -They can’t hear the note properly. (Not true) -The malfunction of any of the steps of the vocal process will affect the coordination and the overall product.

Conclusion The goal is for us to speak and sing using a balanced coordination of the four physiological steps of the vocal process. -Respiration -Phonation -Resonation -Articulation

Vocal Anatomy