Short Courses & Events / Archive

Introduction to Vocal Acoustics for Spoken and Sung Voice

Thursday 30th April 2026, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)

Friday 1st May 2026, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)

For many voice teachers and practitioners, acoustics is an intriguing yet elusive concept. We encounter it in books, articles, and discussions, often sparking curiosity, but the technical terms and complex explanations can feel overwhelming. As a result, many of us set acoustics books aside for "later" and skim through research without fully grasping it.

This course is designed to break down the fundamentals of acoustics for both spoken and sung voice in a beginner-friendly, accessible way — so you can easily understand and apply these concepts to your teaching or research.

A brief overview of what you will learn:

  • How acoustics can enhance the work of singers and voice professionals
  • Key acoustic concepts, including sound waves, pitch, frequency, amplitude, wavelength, resonance, and harmonics
  • How we perceive sound through human hearing and how it influences our voice use and teaching
  • The behaviour of sound in different environments, from large concert halls to the small, unique space of the vocal tract
  • The role of vowels and consonants in both speech and singing, shaping sound in the desired direction
  • How to interpret data from acoustic software using spectrograms for easy visual analysis
  • Real-world applications with numerous audio examples, including spoken voice, popular singing styles, vocal effects, and rough vocals (like those used in rock and metal!)

Throughout this course, we will simplify technical jargon, demonstrate concepts with visual examples, and show you how to use this knowledge in real-life teaching and performance.

You will also have the chance to ask questions and explore how to apply these insights to your own practice or research.

By the end, you will not only have a solid understanding of acoustics but also a practical toolkit for applying these concepts to enhance your students' vocal development and refine your own practice.

🏷️ Price £50 (UK VAT inclusive)
🎥 Recording automatically sent to all who book (even if you cannot attend live)
▶️ Rewatch as many times as you like
📜 Certificate of attendance available

Gökçe Kutsal

Gökçe Kutsal is an experienced interior architect, acoustics designer and musician; her blended background has provided Gökçe with high proficiency as an acoustician.

CPD Course Logo

Attend this course for as little as £22 as part of the Voice Professional Training CPD Award Scheme.

Learn More

Sorry, this is an archived short course...

We have plenty of upcoming short courses coming soon. See details of some of them below or look at the full list of short courses.

Music Theory Fundamentals for Voice Pedagogues
Tuesday 5th May 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 12th May 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 19th May 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 26th May 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 2nd June 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 9th June 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(London Time)

Music Theory Fundamentals for Voice Pedagogues

Dr David Cane

Voice pedagogy has advanced significantly in the last decades in relation to knowledge of the vocal apparatus (anatomy and mechanics), acoustics, and performance psychology (to name just a few subfields) – this is a wonderful thing! Nonetheless, musicianship and the foundations of music theory are still relevant to the teaching and coaching of singers and this course aims to empower voice teachers and coaches with skills to support the fundamental musicianship development of their students.

Exploring Group-Voice for all Ages and Stages!
Tuesday 26th May 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)

Exploring Group-Voice for all Ages and Stages!

Cynthia Vaughn

Teaching group-voice classes is an exciting and fun way to teach singing. It affords the singer and teacher opportunities to experience many different aspects of singing in ways that are not possible when working one-one. Join Cynthia Vaughn as she explores the many benefits gained from working in a group, such as opportunities for each student to participate and hear others, chances to experiment with different techniques, styles, and sounds, guided learning from peers, increased awareness of vocal efficiency and effectiveness, and more confidence (and less self-consciousness) in sharing and performing.

Flexible Pedagogy: Teaching Singers with Dynamic Conditions
Thursday 4th June 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)

Flexible Pedagogy: Teaching Singers with Dynamic Conditions

Joanne Bozeman
Marita Stryker

Is your "flexible" student actually at risk? In recent years, the singing community has seen a vital shift in awareness toward "invisible" conditions like Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD), hEDS, and POTS. While hypermobility can sometimes feel like a "superpower" for range and flexibility, it often comes with a hidden cost: a higher frequency of voice disorders, respiratory challenges, and autonomic fatigue. Join Joanne Bozeman and Marita Stryker as they unpick the the special challenges and management strategies needed...