Vocal Tract

Below are groupings of different parts of the vocal tract, and how they work together to produce the voice. Training helps to shape those parts into sound unique to the physical characteristics of the singer. Knowing how they interact and getting there are two different things.  The process is to make those parts work together in harmony and that can only be done through a skilled teacher who can hear the intraworkings of the parts as they engage to create sound. Vocal tract in action

NAMES

FUNCTION

PARTS OF BODY
RESONATORS Enhances, enlarges and sharpens the voice.  Helps the voice “travel” without the need to push.
  • Nasal Cavity
  • Oral Cavity (mouth; sometimes referred to as the “singing chamber.”
  • Hard palate (hard bony area in the front portion of the roof of the mouth)
  • Teeth
MODIFIERS Soften the vocal sound.
  • Pharynx (opening from the end of the trachea through the back of the throat and into the nasal area).
  • Throat (opening in the back of the mouth
  • Soft palate (soft mushy tissue behind the hard palate in the roof of the mouth)
VIBRATORY SYSTEM Sound is created by air passing through the larynx producing                            vibrations
  • Larynx (voice box)
  • Vocal folds (folds of tissue stretched across the airway to the lungs.  They vibrate against each other to produce sound during speech.
  • Glottis (the opening between the vocal cords)
ARTICULATORS Clarify the sound into words. Diction is more distinct
  • Lips (shape consonants)
  • Tongue (shapes vowels)
  • Teeth ­(work in conjunction with tongue)
AIR PRESSURE SYSTEM To create sound air must pass from the lungs through the trachea and larynx, creating friction against the cords
  • Abdominal muscles: controls the flow of air
  • Diaphragm: functions as a respiratory pump.  Lowers during inhalation and raises during exhalation
  • Lungs: Stores air

On the “Diagram of Vocal Tract” page is a picture showing each of the parts listed above and their location inside the body.