Instrument and its repertoire

Instrument: The voice

How the voice works

Singing involves producing musical sounds with the voice along with tonality and rhythm. Speaking and singing involve a voice mechanism that is composed of three subsystems.

1.       Air pressure system - lungs, diaphragm, chest wall and muscles, trachea or windpipe and Abdominal muscles

2.       Vibratory system – vocal folds and larynx (voice box)

3.       Resonating system – tongue, lips, oral cavity, soft palate, pharynx (throat) and nasal cavity

There are three steps in the process of the voice to create singing

1.       Breath is taken – Before any note is produced singers must be supported with breath. This comes from the air pressure system which produces a column of air with force. The force produced depends on the capacity of air stored in the lungs and the strength of the muscles that exhale the air.

2.       The breath is taken through the vibratory system and changed – The vocal chords are brought together, as the column of air generated in the vibratory system rush through the windpipe, the vocal chords and larynx change the air pressure to sound waves which then produce a tone. Different tones can be produced by varying the tension on the vocal chords.

3.       The articulators in the resonance chamber shape the sound into recognisable units – The resonating system changes the tone that is produced in the vibratory system to a recognisable voice. Modifications of the configurations of these areas alter the voice, such as when the singer smiles the cheekbones raise, which allow the sound to enter and resonate inside the area called the mask.

Techniques used

The mask is made up of the nasal cavity, lips and upper pharynx (throat), this is where the head voice sits. The head voice refers to the vocal range or type of vocal register or a vocal resonance area. Head voice is usually more nasally and does not project as well.

The chest voice however uses the oral cavity, soft palate and middle pharynx (throat), and resonates in the upper chest cavity and lower pharynx. The chest voice is usually more powerful, lower and projects.

This video shows an example of the contrast between head and chest voice, this is highlighted throughout.

These processes and techniques merge into one coordinated function to create the singing voice. Along with the singers ability to obtain perfect pitch and exact notes a singer must have good hearing to link these. There is said to be positive health benefits to singing. These are an increased lung capacity, improved mood, stress reduction and perceived social and spiritual benefits.

Different musical genres

There are many different singing styles as the human voice can be modified in so many ways. These can be seen through the different sounds that are possible in different forms of vocal music.

Opera:

Opera is part of the Western classical music tradition originating in the 16^th century, Operatic voices traditionally have enough volume to compete with the sound of the orchestra. Opera singers have a specific technique to the way they sing as they enunciate and emphasize their notes. This can be seen in the example:

Country Music:

Country music is a popular American musical style that originated in the 1920s through folk and cowboy music. Country singers hold a certain “twang” tone in their voice, when seen in music this shows a scoop between notes ranging from half or a whole step up. The genre can also be defined through its use of banjoes, electric and acoustic guitars, fiddles such as violins, and harmonicas. Through the years country music has grown with sub genres such a country pop, country rock and honky tonk. You are able to hear in the first example of traditional country music from the 1920s in this example of Vernon Dalhart’s Wreck of the old 97, and how it has transformed to create sub genres with the second an example of a country pop song from the 21^st century Love Story by Taylor Swift.

Rhythm and Blues:

Rhythm and blues is often abbreviated to R&B, originating in the 1940s it is a genre of popular African American music. In R&B singers are able to perform runs which are chains of three or more 1/16^th notes that go up and down a scale emphasizing every third note, known as melismas. R&B has developed and the sub genre contemporary R&B has been formed with influence from pop music. This can be seen in this example of Mariah Carey’s Hero.

Vocal Exercises and Warm ups

Vocalists are able to develop their voices to suit different styles and create a well balanced voice. This can be created through practise of songs and vocal exercises; this not only develops the voice but also protects the voice from any harm or injury that may be caused due to not warming up. Some examples of a warm up routine that could be created begin with:

Physical stretches that warm up the body, such as stretching the abdomen, back, neck and shoulders.

 “Sshing” for as long as you can in one breath then relaxing, focusing on not moving the shoulders up and down

Lip trills or tongue trills, using sirens or octaves continuously from high to low as possible

Classic vocal warm ups :

Bella Senora:

M&M’s:

These warm ups are essential before any vocal performance is made to prepare the vocalist.

Aural Analysis – Potential HSC repertoire

Listening time (0:00-1:00)

Crazy – Gnarles Barkley

Duration:

The tempo is moderately fast, the time signature is 4/4, which is simple, and this remains the same during the excerpt. The rhythm in the melody in fast, the words are sung at a rapid rate and with no breaks or stops such as when he sings “I remember, I remember when I lost my mind, there was something so pleasant about that place”. The accompaniment holds a repeated bass line:

- - -  - -  -  - -  - -  _  _ _   _ _  _  _ _   _ _

which repeats through the excerpt. In verse 2 the values of the notes are changed and they are extended and held.

Pitch:

The pitch is major, the melody moves mainly in steps with some leaps in the chorus, the accompaniment uses mainly steps. The range of the melody is wide, the male vocals are using their upper register in the chorus whilst returning to their lower register in the verses. There is melodic repetition in the chorus when the lyrics “Does that make me crazy” where the melody is being repeated, melodic repetition also occurs in the verse.

Tone Colour:

In the piece there are the instruments:

·         Male vocals

·         Backing Vocals

·         Bass guitar

·         Violin

·         Synth

·         Guitar

The male vocals are using their upper register in the chorus which at times makes them unclear, however they have a strong almost spoken/yelled tone. This contrasts with the smooth Backing vocals in the accompaniment.

Chasing cars – Snow Patrol

Tone Colour:

The instruments in the piece are:

·         Electric guitar

·         Synth

·         Male vocals

·         Backing vocals

·         Drum kit

·         Bass guitar

The electric guitar is played through an effects peddle and has a repetitive rhythm. The male voice has a pure tone and the words are clear and pronounced, his vocal quality is light and does not project.

Duration:

The tempo is moderately fast, with a simple 4/4 time signature. This remains the same for the duration of the listening. There is rhythmic repetition in the melody with repeated lines with just different lyrics, these are in a straight rhythm. There is a rhythmic ostinato in the accompaniment that continues throughout the song, which is played by the guitar.

Pitch:

The pitch of the guitar in the intro is moderately high, when the voice is introduced it is quite light and a high pitched tone for a male. The chorus and melody move in steps with very little movement or large leaps. The vocal range is very narrow and uses repetition of the same notes. There is repetition in the accompaniment with a narrow range also. The guitar pitch is repetitive and does not change throughout where it plays:  _ - _ - _ - _ - _ - _ -

You are the sunshine of my life – Stevie Wonder

Duration:

The tempo is moderately slow, the notes are held with long pauses in between where the accompaniment plays, however in the verse the pace fastens with less pauses and faster note values. The time signature is 4/4. The accompaniment has a steady pace with continuous notes at moderately short lengths. There is a repeated ostinato on the piano _ _  - -  _ _  - -

Tone Colour:

The instruments in this piece are:

·         Male vocals

·         Backing vocals

·         Piano/keyboard

·         Drum kit

·         Guitar

·         Bass Guitar

The male vocals have the melody, they have a clear quality with each word pronounced, and the female voice takes the melody for one verse at the beginning this provides contrast as her voice is a higher pitch, but still holds a husky quality. The piano/keyboard in the accompaniment holds a synthesised produced tone colour.  The hi hat has a predominant role in the accompaniment and uses repetition.

Texture:

The texture is homophonic. The intro is only the keyboard and closed hi hat and bass, this gives a sparse feel as there is a build up of instruments throughout the piece. These remain in the first verse with vocals and drums added. In the 2^nd verse the female vocals are added and the male vocals are removed. The backing vocals are also added which creates a richer texture. This texture remains throughout the chorus when the male vocals are added back in.

This masquerade – The carpenters

Tone colour:

The female that has the lead holds a mature, smooth tone to her voice, it is prodimenant as it is the lead and has a strong tone against the accompaniment. The accompaniment consists of:

·         Drum kit

·         Percussion

·         Strings

·         Piano

·         Backing vocals

·         Guitar

·         Flute

·         Brass

These instruments blend well together to create a jazz like feel in the accompaniment.

Duration:

The tempo is moderately slow and has a jazz like feel to it. The time signature remains the same throughout the piece. There is rhythmic repetition when the vocalist sings “Are we really happy...”

The structure of the piece is

A
B
C
B
C
D
C

Texture:

The texture is homophonic. It begins with a dense texture and does not thin out throughout the piece. In the intro the Drum kit, percussion, flute, piano and brass play. The voice is then introduced and the texture becomes thinner as the piano, drum kit, percussion and guitar only remain in the accompaniment.

Somebody to love – Queen

Texture:

The texture is homophonic. The intro begins with a choir and full sound. This becomes sparse when the choir stops and there is just a solo piano playing. The verse then begins with he texture becoming dense again with male vocals, drum kit, backing vocals, guitar and bass guitar introduced. This continues throughout the excerpt.

Dynamics and Expressive Techniques:

In the intro the dynamics begin Mezzo Piano, these begin to crescendo then stop when piano is introduced. When the piano is introduced it is Mezzo Piano, this then builds in the verse as more layers are added and instruments are now playing forte and they crescendo through the held notes. The vocalists use expressive techniques such as melismas, slurs and slides to emphasize each part.

Pitch:

The pitch is major. It moves mainly in steps in the main melody and piano accompaniment. The choir and backing vocals in the accompaniment use mainly steps but also have large leaps such as in the opening:  “Anybody find me somebody to love”. The range of the melody is wide with the contrast of extreme highs and lows used in the melody and accompaniment. Melodic repetition is also used in the call and response between the main vocalist and the backing vocals and choir.

Bibliography

How the singing voice works. (2011). Retrieved November 23, 2011, from eHow: http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4567180_singing-voice-work.html

How Your Voice Works . (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2011, from NYU Voice Center: http://www.med.nyu.edu/voicecenter/patient/speech/howvoice.html

The voice foundation. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2011, from Anatomy and Physiology of the voice: http://www.voicefoundation.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=85%3Aanatomy-and-physiology-of-voice-production-highlights-&catid=47%3Avoice-problems&Itemid=49

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Vocal warm up. Retrieved November 20, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocal_warm_up

Youtube. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2011, from www.youtube.com