Emerging and Developing Voice: Singing and Speech

During this short course we will consider the voice as we sing and as we speak. The acquisition of language is a very interesting journey from birth through old age. We will broach the topics of “lexical” which refers to learning words, and “semantic” which is how we use words in the context of language.

The development and changes in the oral and pharyngeal regions of the vocal tract is interesting. Magnetic resonance imaging measurements of the vocal tract for children at different ages shows when VT areas grow during childhood and youth year. It also shows sexual dimorphism between those assigned male at birth and those assigned female. 

There is an order to the acquisition of various sounds, vowels, consonants, pacing, inflection, voiced and voiceless consonants throughout youngsters.  We will look at this based on the English language. Throughout life we “remap” how we articulate different sounds due to variability of vibration, respiration, resonance, and the tongue’s pressure and flexibility. Dentition is an important factor in saying words and is more variable than we might think.  It is understandable that sometimes, in the midst of growth and development, people may need help to formulate distinct sounds for vowels and consonants. 

How does the singing voice influence the speaking voice? How does the speaking voice influence the singing voice? When is there a disparate relationship between the two? Can they help each other?  Can one harm the other?  How can we use them positively in the voice studio.

As each student comes into my studio, I instinctively first notice their voice as we greet one another. I notice the speed and volume they are talking, the range of their speaking, the suppleness or the lack thereof, and the energy they bring to these first moments.