TR-A-0099 :1991.1.23

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.