1. Singer’s Formant in Hindustani classical singers
Namita A Joshi, Manna A R, Vikram Oak
Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University
School Of Audiology & Speech Langauge pathology,
Pune , Maharashtra, India
14/11/2013
Acoustics , New Delhi

2. Introduction Awareness about voice culture is increasing among singers
Speech Language Pathologist and Otolaryngologist play a crucial role
There is a curiosity among researchers to find out whether singers are really special in their voice use than non singers.
Singers are special when compared to non singers due to an exciting “ringing” voice quality
(Sundberg 1987,1990)
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Acoustics , New Delhi

3. Fs
Singer’s Formant
‘brightness in voice’ as “singer’s formant”
Singers with widened pharynx were observed to have effective clustering of higher formants and thereby higher singers’ formant. (Sundberg, 1974)
various authors studied following LTAS parameters: amplitude at lower harmonics (0-2 kHz), amplitude at higher harmonics (2-4 kHz), centre frequency of singer’s formant and singing power ratio etc.
(Barrichelo, Heuer, Dean, & Sataloff (2001); Ghosh, (2007); Lundy, Roy, Casiano, Xue, Evans (2000).
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Acoustics , New Delhi

4. Need of the present study
The centre frequency (frequency at which the highest peak amplitude between 2-4 kHz is obtained) of singer’s formant lies between 2.4 – 3.6 kHz in almost all of the singers. Sundberg,(2001).
In Indian classical singers, it was found that maximum energy concentration observed to be around 2500 – 2950 Hz in trained Carnatic singers and around Hz in untrained singers. Sujatha (1989).
Fs was located in 2-4 kHz region in Hindustani classical singers and its centre frequency increased with rise in pitch, which was parallel to sung vowels in Western music. Sengupta, (1990).
Contrary to the above mentioned studies, singer’s formant was not found in South Indian classical singers. Boominathan, P. (2004)
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Acoustics , New Delhi

5. Need of the present study
Underlying physiological adjustments made by singers and its relation with acoustical features needs to be studied.
The review of literature suggests that there have been very limited number of studies done to explore the physiological differences in singers and non singers during singing.
There have also been limited researches on effect of years of experience on the acoustical and perceptual parameters.
Hence the present study was planned to explore the differences between singers (with varied experience) and non singers.
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Acoustics , New Delhi

6. Aims
To explore presence of singer’s formant in Hindustani Classical singers.
To investigate physiological adjustments made by the singers.
Level of impact of number of years of experience of singing on singer’s formant.
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Acoustics , New Delhi

7. Method
Participants
The mean age ranges of singers were yrs and that of non singers were 22.5 yrs.
Singers were divided in three groups depending on their experience of formal training.
Non singers were those participants who had not undergone any kind of formal vocal training.
Groups
Sub Groups
No: of Participants
S (Singers)
S1 (0-5yrs)
S2(6-10yrs)
S3 (>10yrs) 7 6
NS(Non Singers)
--- 10
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Acoustics , New Delhi

8. Method
Case history was collected regarding their vocal habits, practice hours/day, and knowledge of voice care.
All the participants were included only when they did not show any signs of any speech, language, vocal, sensory motor problems at the time of recording.
Prior to the recording, all the participants were explained regarding the purpose of the study and the future implications. Written consent was taken from all the participants.
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Acoustics , New Delhi

9. Method Procedure Acoustical Analysis Perceptual Analysis
Sustained phonation & Song as sample of 20s duration
Portable digital recorder
Long Term Average Spectrum (LTAS) of CSL 4500 MDVP software
Perceptual Analysis
A 70 degree rigid nasoendoscope (HAWK model) with a diameter of 4mm was used for the analysis
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Acoustics , New Delhi

10. Method Acoustical Analysis Parameters Perceptual Analysis
Amplitude of highest peak at 0-2 kHz and 2-4 kHz
Mean Centre frequency of singer’s formant (Fs)
SPR
Mean F0
Perceptual
Analysis
Pharyngeal widening
Pharyngeal closure Pattern
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Acoustics , New Delhi

11. Method 1 narrow coronal LWM Sagittal 2 Medium PWM circular 3 wider
Velopharyngeal Closure Pattern
PWM
Pharyngeal opening
LWM
1 narrow
2 Medium
3 wider
Lateral or Pharyngeal wall Movement
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Acoustics , New Delhi

12. Results & Discussion LTAS Parameters
The difference though not statistically significant , it shows that there is a tendency for the increment in amplitude level at 2-4 kHz as the years of music experience increases.
Thus the amount of training and hours of practice per day can be expected to be a supplementary factor for the achievement of significant energy concentration at higher harmonics.
LTAS Parameters
NS = Non singers. S1= Singers with 0-5 yrs of experience.
S2 = Singers with 6-10 yrs of experience.
S3 = Singers with > 10 yrs of experience.
S= Singers as a group.
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Acoustics , New Delhi

13. Results & Discussion LTAS Parameters
In the present study, the maximum energy concentration in singers was observed from 2.1 to 3.4 kHz with the mean centre frequency of 2.4 kHz, 2.9 kHz and 2.7 kHz for S1, S2 and S3 respectively.
Though the differences between mean center frequencies for the groups were obtained, it was not statistically significant.
LTAS Parameters
Mean Centre frequency of Fs
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Acoustics , New Delhi

14. Results & Discussion LTAS Parameters
In the present study, a tendency of an augmentation in the SPR values was observed as the music training increases. Although, the differences were seen for the groups, these differences were not statistically significant.
The results of the present study were similar to that of studies done in past (Omori, Kacker, Carrol, Riley, & Blaugrund, (1996).
Higher SPR values in S3 group shows that they had higher energy concentration at 2-4 kHz than 0-2 kHz, which confirms the possibility of formant clustering at higher harmonics.
LTAS Parameters
14/11/2013
Acoustics , New Delhi

15. Results & Discussion
The gender wise comparison was done for the parameter of mean f0 between singers and non singers.
Independent sample t test was carried out which revealed that there is no significant difference in mean f0 between males and females within the group and across the group.
The results of the present study shows that singers were not special than non singers in terms of their mean f0.
14/11/2013
Acoustics , New Delhi

16. Lateral (LPW) / Posterior Pharyngeal wall (PPW) movement
Results & Discussion
Perceptual Evaluation
Velopharyngeal closure pattern & lateral / posterior pharyngeal wall movement
The most common velopharyngeal closure pattern was coronal with lateral wall movement across the groups.
Hence the results of the present study conclude that singers were not special in the velopharyngeal closure pattern than non singers.
Studies are limited regarding the exploration of velopharyngeal closure pattern as well as lateral or posterior pharyngeal wall movement in singers and non singers.
Pattern
Non Singers S1
(0-5yrs) S2
(6-10yrs)
S3 (>10yrs)
Coronal
60%
57.14%
66.66%
Sagittal 0%
28.57%
14.28%
16.66%
Circular
40%
Parameter
Non singers S1 S2 S3 S
Lateral (LPW) / Posterior Pharyngeal wall (PPW) movement
LPW
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Acoustics , New Delhi

17. Inter rater reliability
Results & Discussion
It can be opined that well trained singers use more efficient supralaryngeal adjustments which enables them to produce a bright vocal quality. (Similar to study done by Monson (2007).
The results of perceptual evaluation of pharyngeal widening are in support of acoustical findings of higher SPR values in group S3.
Present study postulates the fact that more the number of years of experience, better are the supralaryngeal adjustments and thereby higher energy concentration in the Fs region.
Thus pharyngeal widening should be the part of training for professional singers who needs to increase the projection of their voice.
Perceptual Evaluation
Pharyngeal Widening
Parameter NS S1 S2 S3
Pharyngeal
Opening 2 3
Inter rater reliability R1 R2 R3 R4
R 1 --
.525*
.375*
.381*
R 2
---
.588*
.511*
R 3
----
.512*
R 4
-----
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Acoustics , New Delhi

18. Summary & Conclusion
The results of the present study indicate the existence of singer’s formant in Hindustani classical singers.
The S3 group had highest amplitude at 2-4 kHz, had highest SPR values than compared to S1, S2 and implies the formant clustering in higher harmonics.
According to perceptual evaluation, S3 group had widest pharyngeal opening which is in correlation with the results of acoustical analysis.
It also confirms the effect of yrs of experience on supralaryngeal adjustments made by the singers.
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Acoustics , New Delhi

19. Directions for Future research
The study highlights the possibility of developing training material for singers to improve their pharyngeal widening.
The study points out the need and development of an objective parameter (SPR) for differentiating style of singing in future. It throws light into the future utility of Fs in pathological conditions among Hindustani Classical singers.
Study can also be repeated to compare SPR values & nasoendoscopic evaluation between different styles of singing such as Carnatic Vs Hindustani classical, Hindustani styles like Thumri, Dadra, Khayal, gazal etc
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Acoustics , New Delhi

20. Acknowledgements
Organizing committee & scientific committee of Acoustics 2013
Principal & HOD, of Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University’s School of Audiology & Speech Language Pathology
Participants
Contributors to perceptual analysis
Nursing & Technical staff
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Acoustics , New Delhi

21. References 14/11/2013 Acoustics , New Delhi
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Acoustics , New Delhi

22. Thank you
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Acoustics , New Delhi