The Adolescent Male Voice

Physiological Changes Vocal folds become longer Vocal folds become longer Larynx increases in height Larynx increases in height Hormonal growth Hormonal growth

Physiological Changes Are there other physiological changes that could effect the development of the male singers? Are there other physiological changes that could effect the development of the male singers? What physiological changes are similar or different with the changing female voice? What physiological changes are similar or different with the changing female voice? What are ways that we as teachers could approach these challenges? What are ways that we as teachers could approach these challenges?

Physical Changes 1. The voice drops to a full register in the bass range very quickly, leaving no treble range. 2. The voice lowers gradually one or two pitches at a time while retaining the treble range. 3. The voice retains the treble range using a head register and is capable of singing several pitches in the bass range; however the voice is incapable of singing in the middle range between the bass and treble. 4. The voice retains the young treble quality and, at the same time, is capable of singing comfortably in a full register with baritone quality and range. Christopher and Dona White explain in “Commonsense for the Changing Male Voice”

Physical Changes There have been thoughts of having split choirs (males versus females). What are your thoughts on this? There have been thoughts of having split choirs (males versus females). What are your thoughts on this? What happens if there is low enrollment of males? High enrollment? What happens if there is low enrollment of males? High enrollment?

Psychological Changes Role Models Role Models How can female and male teachers differ on this? How can female and male teachers differ on this? Are there advantages/disadvantages? Are there advantages/disadvantages? Peer Pressure Peer Pressure How does this come into play in the classroom? How does this come into play in the classroom? In Elementary School? In Elementary School? In Middle School? In Middle School? In High School? In High School?

Psychological Changes Changing times: Changing times: In the 1930s, males would work in factories and females would keep the house maintained. In the 1930s, males would work in factories and females would keep the house maintained. Now the roles are blurred and there are no defined roles. Now the roles are blurred and there are no defined roles. How could this idea be applied to music education? How could this idea be applied to music education? Did the changing of roles (Rosie the Riveter) effect music education? Did the changing of roles (Rosie the Riveter) effect music education? Are there any strong defined roles today? Are there any strong defined roles today?

Abeles and Custodero Psychoanalytical Theory Psychoanalytical Theory Interest in childhood experience Interest in childhood experience Musical Activity functioning in service to the self Musical Activity functioning in service to the self Cognitive Stage Theory Cognitive Stage Theory Children’s interactions with objects, rather than with people. Children’s interactions with objects, rather than with people. Sociocultural Theory Sociocultural Theory Natural optimism and enjoyment of learning. Natural optimism and enjoyment of learning. Ecological Theory Ecological Theory Environmental contexts that influence human development. Environmental contexts that influence human development.

Abeles and Custodero Musical Strengths: Musical Strengths: Belonging/Select Group Belonging/Select Group Identity Identity Formal operations Formal operations Introspection Introspection World view World view Developmental Issues: Developmental Issues: Commitment Commitment Genre Genre Innovation & Style Innovation & Style Technical Facility Technical Facility Expressivity Expressivity Response Mechanisms: Response Mechanisms: Interpretation Interpretation Role Experimentation Role Experimentation Hypothesizing Hypothesizing Abstraction Abstraction Expertise Expertise Moral Sense Moral Sense Teaching Implications Teaching Implications Diverse Opportunities Diverse Opportunities Authenticity Authenticity Compositions/solos Compositions/solos Analysis and critique Analysis and critique Performance Performance Social Justice Social Justice

Final Thoughts Are there other changes that could lead to developmental issues with the adolescent male? Are there other changes that could lead to developmental issues with the adolescent male? What are some ways that we can adjust our teaching styles? What are some ways that we can adjust our teaching styles? We all have classes and discuss this topic. We won’t really know how to handle it until we get out there. What would you say to underclassmen at this point who may deal with this issue in the future? We all have classes and discuss this topic. We won’t really know how to handle it until we get out there. What would you say to underclassmen at this point who may deal with this issue in the future?

References Banks, A. Leslie (1958). Puberty. The British Medical Journal, 1(5064), 193‐196. Banks, A. Leslie (1958). Puberty. The British Medical Journal, 1(5064), 193‐196. Custadero, Lori (2010). Musical Learning and Musical Development. Critical Issues in Music Education Custadero, Lori (2010). Musical Learning and Musical Development. Critical Issues in Music Education Friar, Kendra Kay (1999). Changing Voices, Changing Times. Music Educators Journal, 88(3), 26‐29. Friar, Kendra Kay (1999). Changing Voices, Changing Times. Music Educators Journal, 88(3), 26‐29. White, Christopher D, White Dona K. Commonsense Training for Changing Male Voices. Music Educators Journal, 87(6), 39‐ White, Christopher D, White Dona K. Commonsense Training for Changing Male Voices. Music Educators Journal, 87(6), 39‐43+53.