Introduction to Vocal Acoustics for Spoken and Sung Voice
Friday 10th October 2025, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (London Time)
Monday 13th October 2025, 3:00 PM - 5:00 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.
Attend this course for as little as £22 as part of the Voice Professional Training CPD Award Scheme.
Learn MoreSorry, 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.
Tuesday 16th December 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(London Time)
Inspired Sound: Unlocking the Science of Choral Acoustics
Professor Helena Daffern
In this session, Professor Helena Daffern will explore the fascinating science behind choral sound, offering choir singers and directors valuable insights into achieving a cohesive and expressive ensemble, no matter what their standard. The concept of choral blend will be examined —what it is, how it can be cultivated, and the roles of intonation and vibrato will be analysed. The decisions that have to be made around intonation when tuning thirds or dealing with modulations over the course of an a cappella piece will be explained in the context of existing research and different singing styles such as barbershop singing and solo voice ensembles.
Tuesday 16th December 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Unclenching the Jaw: Options from the Physio Lens
Walt Fritz
“Jaw tension” is one of many potential problems facing the singer, and can cause a direct negative impact on the performance in both direct and indirect ways. The underlying cause of jaw issues is attributed to numerous factors (technique, posture, strength, range of motion, etc.), making it often difficult to identify common denominators. Join Walt Fritz as he examines the evidence supporting stretching, strengthening, and manual therapy interventions to address jaw-related concerns in vocal performers, taking into account their unique needs.
Thursday 18th December 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(London Time)
Improving Lyric Italian Diction for Classical Singers
Professor Conroy Cupido
Join Professor Conroy Cupido as he offers an in-depth exploration of the most frequent pronunciation errors made by classical singers in Italian lyric diction. Designed for both emerging and advanced singers, the course provides a structured and practical approach to mastering Italian pronunciation as used in opera, oratorio, and art song.