Noriko KOBAYASHI, Yoh'ichi TOHKURA, Seiichi TENPAKU and Seiji NIIMI
Acoustic and Physiological Characteristics
of Traditional Singing in Japan
Abstract:The purpose of this study was twofold: to understand the vocal
differences in the many styles of singing found in Japanese culture and to
expand our knowledge of human voice production beyond that found in
Western classical singing. Four professional singers of traditional Japanese
singing modes (Sohkyoku, Yohkyoku, and Min-yoh) were the subjects in
our study. Recordings of the audio signal and video-fiberoptic images of the
singers' larynges were made during singing. Prominently high energy
concentration near 4-5 kHz were found in the singing voice, which could be
considered as a "Japanese singing formant". Various acoustic patterns in
terms of the phase relationships between F0 and power were found in the
production of tone ornaments. Dynamic and continuous movements of the
larynx were notable in Japanese singing when compared with Western
classical singing, in which the vocal tract looks to be kept relatively stable.