The modal voice register is the vocal register used most frequently in speech and singing. A vocal register in the human voice is a particular series of tones produced in the same vibratory pattern of the Vocal folds and possessing the same quality The whistle register (also called the flageolet register or whistle tone) is the highest register of the Human voice lying above the Modal The term falsetto (Italian diminutive of falso, false refers to the Vocal register occupying the frequency range just above the Modal voice register and See also Voice (phonetics, Vocal register Modal voice is the Vocal register used most frequently in speech and singing in most languages Creaky voiceThe vocal fry register (also known as pulse register, laryngealisation, pulse phonation, creak, glottal fry, glottal A vocal register in the human voice is a particular series of tones produced in the same vibratory pattern of the Vocal folds and possessing the same quality In this usage, the term modal refers to the natural disposition or manner of action of the vocal cords. The vocal folds, also known commonly as vocal cords, are composed of twin infoldings of Mucous membrane stretched horizontally across the Larynx. The modal register lies above the vocal fry register and overlaps the lower part of the falsetto register. Creaky voiceThe vocal fry register (also known as pulse register, laryngealisation, pulse phonation, creak, glottal fry, glottal The term falsetto (Italian diminutive of falso, false refers to the Vocal register occupying the frequency range just above the Modal voice register and The modal register may also overlap part of the whistle register in some singers. The whistle register (also called the flageolet register or whistle tone) is the highest register of the Human voice lying above the Modal A well trained singer or speaker can phonate two octaves or more within the modal register with consistent production, beauty of tone, dynamic variation, and vocal freedom. Phonation has slightly different meanings depending on the subfield of Phonetics. ^[1] The modal register begins and ends in different places within the human voice. The placement of the modal register within the individual human voice is one of the key determining factors in identifying vocal type. A voice type is a particular kind of human Singing voice perceived as having certain identifying qualities or characteristics ^[2]

Physiological process of the modal register

In the modal register the length, tension, and mass of the vocal folds are in a state of flux which causes the frequency of vibration of the vocal folds to vary. The vocal folds, also known commonly as vocal cords, are composed of twin infoldings of Mucous membrane stretched horizontally across the Larynx. ^[3] As pitch rises, the vocal folds increase in length and in tension and their edges become thinner. If a speaker or singer holds any of these three factors constant and interferes with their progressive state of change the laryngeal function of the voice becomes static and eventually breaks occur resulting in obvious changes in vocal quality. While some vocal pedagogists identify these breaks as register boundaries or transition areas between registers, other vocal pedagogists maintain that these breaks are a result of vocal problems caused by a static laryngeal adjustment that does not permit the necessary changes to take place within the modal register. ^[1]

Vocal cord, scheme

Glottal cycle, modal voice

On the lower pitches in the modal register the vocal cords are thick and wedge-shaped. The vocal folds, also known commonly as vocal cords, are composed of twin infoldings of Mucous membrane stretched horizontally across the Larynx. Because of this thickness, large portions of the opposing surfaces of the vocal cords are brought into contact, and the glottis remains closed for a considerable time in each cycle. The glottis is defined as the combination of the Vocal folds and the space in between the folds (the Rima glottidis) The glottis opens from the bottom first before it opens at the top; this imparts a fluid, wavelike motion to the cords. The modal voice has a broad harmonic spectrum, rich in overtones, because of this rolling motion of the cords. An overtone is a natural resonance or vibration frequency of a system It is comparatively loud to the other vocal registers because of the vibratory energy present, but is capable of dynamic variation. ^[4]

For the lowest tones, only the thyroarytenoid muscles are active, but as the pitch rises, the cricothyroids enter the action, thus beginning to lengthen the folds. The arytenoid Cartilages are a pair of small three-sided Pyramids which form part of the Larynx, to which the Vocal cords are attached The arytenoid Cartilages are a pair of small three-sided Pyramids which form part of the Larynx, to which the Vocal cords are attached As longitudinal tension increases, the glottis tends to develop a gap in the middle. To counteract this tendency, the lateral cricoarytenoids are brought into action, pulling forward on the muscular process of the arytenoids. The arytenoid Cartilages are a pair of small three-sided Pyramids which form part of the Larynx, to which the Vocal cords are attached This process is sometimes referred to as medial compression. ^[5]

In addition to the stretching of the vocal folds and the increasing tension on them as the pitch rises, the opposing surfaces of the folds which may be brought into contact becomes smaller and smaller as the edges of the folds become thinner. The basic vibratory or phonatory pattern remains the same, with the whole vocal fold still involved in the action, but the vertical excursions are not as large and the rolling motion is not as apparent as it was on the lower pitches of the modal register. Phonation has slightly different meanings depending on the subfield of Phonetics. ^[6] The physical limits of muscular strength of the internal thyroarytenoids or vocalis muscle are being approached. The Thyroarytenoid is a broad thin muscle which lies parallel with and lateral to the Vocal fold, and supports the wall of the ventricle and its appendix In order to sing or speak above this pitch level the voice must adopt a new phonatory pattern-to change registers. ^[7]

See also

• Vocal registration

References

Further reading