Vocal tract shapes in different singing functions used in musical theater singing-a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE

Singing styles in Musical Theater singing might differ in many ways from Western Classical singing. However, vocal tract adjustments are not understood in detail.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Vocal tract shapes of a single professional Music Theater female subject were analyzed concerning different aspects of singing styles using dynamic real-time magnetic resonance imaging technology with a frame rate of 8 fps. The different tasks include register differences, belting, and vibrato strategies.

RESULTS

Articulatory differences were found between head register, modal register, and belting. Also, some vibrato strategies ("jazzy" vibrato) do involve vocal tract adjustments, whereas others (classical vibrato) do not.

CONCLUSIONS

Vocal tract shaping might contribute to the establishment of different singing functions in Musical Theater singing.