Mari Leppävuori - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Mari Leppävuori

Research paper thumbnail of Three Professional Singers’ Vocal Tract Dimensions in Operatic Singing, Kulning, and Edge—A Multiple Case Study Examining Loud Singing

Journal of Voice, Mar 1, 2022

A comprehensive understanding of how vocal tract dimensions vary among different types of loud vo... more A comprehensive understanding of how vocal tract dimensions vary among different types of loud voice productions has not yet been fully formed. This study aims to expand the existing knowledge on the topic. Methods. Three trained professional singers together practiced the vocal techniques underlying Opera and Kulning singing styles for one hour and, afterwards, phonated using these techniques on vowel [iː] at pitch C5 (523 Hz), while their vocal tracts were scanned via MRI. One of the participants also produced the samples in the Edge vocal mode using [ɛː]. Several dimensional vocal tract measurements were calculated from the MRIs. Spectral analysis was conducted on the filtered audio recorded during the MRI. Results. The Operatic technique demonstrated a lower larynx, a larger tongue−palate distance, and larger epilaryngeal and pharyngeal tube diameters compared to Kulning. Edge showed the highest laryngeal position, narrowest pharynx and epilarynx tubes, and the least forward-tilted larynx out of the styles studied. The spectra of Opera and Kulning showed a dominant first harmonic, while in Edge, the second harmonic was the strongest. Conclusions. The results shed light on the magnitude of vocal tract changes necessary for genre-typical vocal projection. This information can be pedagogically helpful.

Research paper thumbnail of Characterizing vocal-fold dynamics in singing vocal modes from Complete Vocal Technique using high-speed laryngeal imaging and electroglottographic analysis

Complete Vocal Technique (CVT) is a method used in voice pedagogy. In CVT, all voiced sounds (wit... more Complete Vocal Technique (CVT) is a method used in voice pedagogy. In CVT, all voiced sounds (with vowels) are divided into four vocal modes – Neutral, Curbing, Overdrive and Edge. The vocal modes are identified and defined according to auditory attributes - metal, density, vowel and loudness – setting practical rules for the use of vocal modes. Recent laryngostroboscopic imaging studies have demonstrated visibly different laryngeal gestures between Curbing, Overdrive and Edge (McGlashan et al., 2016; Thuesen et al., 2017; Aaen et al., 2018). There are no study on vocal-fold dynamics of the vocal modes using high-speed imaging. The aim was to examine vocal-fold dynamics in CVT four vocal modes by means of laryngeal imaging techniques and electroglottography (EGG) analyses. Furthermore, the purpose was to test the feasibility of the selected methods to assess CVT vocal modes. Five non-classical singers (3 F mean age 38 yo; 2 M mean age 41 yo) trained in CVT were imaged with highspeed...

Research paper thumbnail of Characterizing Vocal Tract Dimensions in the Vocal Modes Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Journal of Voice, 2020

The aim was to study vocal tract dimensions in four vocal modes − Neutral, Curbing, Overdrive and... more The aim was to study vocal tract dimensions in four vocal modes − Neutral, Curbing, Overdrive and Edge − from Complete Vocal Technique (CVT) by means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Furthermore, the purpose was to test the feasibility of MRI to assess CVT vocal modes. Methods. Four nonclassical singers (two females, two males) trained in CVT were imaged with an MRI scanner while singing sustained vowels at same pitch (Bb4 for females, F4 for males) in all vocal modes. Audio signals were simultaneously recorded through a pipe for quality assurance purposes. Auditory evaluation was performed by three CVT teachers in the scanner control room via headphones, and by one CVT teacher inside the MRI room. Previously developed measurement models modified by the authors were used to measure vocal tract dimensions from sagittal MRI projections. Repeatability test was performed for all measurements. Results. In all subjects, vocal tract dimensions displayed differences between the vocal modes. Edge stood out from other vocal modes by showing most laryngeal narrowing accompanied by shortest vocal tract and highest vertical laryngeal position. For Neutral, least mouth opening and shortest distance between tongue and palate were found. Curbing differed consistently from Edge and somewhat from Overdrive showing higher measured values for vocal fold length. Differences regarding vocal fold length were also detected between Neutral and Edge. As expected, differences in vocal tract dimensions were found between samples sung with different vowels. Conclusions. Vocal tract adjustments play a key role in the production of the vocal modes. The model used to measure vocal tract dimensions succeeded in finding significant differences between the vocal modes, also detecting differences between different vowel productions. The method used to characterize vocal tract dimensions seem promising and would be worthwhile to apply to a larger material.

Research paper thumbnail of Three Professional Singers’ Vocal Tract Dimensions in Operatic Singing, Kulning, and Edge—A Multiple Case Study Examining Loud Singing

Journal of Voice, Mar 1, 2022

A comprehensive understanding of how vocal tract dimensions vary among different types of loud vo... more A comprehensive understanding of how vocal tract dimensions vary among different types of loud voice productions has not yet been fully formed. This study aims to expand the existing knowledge on the topic. Methods. Three trained professional singers together practiced the vocal techniques underlying Opera and Kulning singing styles for one hour and, afterwards, phonated using these techniques on vowel [iː] at pitch C5 (523 Hz), while their vocal tracts were scanned via MRI. One of the participants also produced the samples in the Edge vocal mode using [ɛː]. Several dimensional vocal tract measurements were calculated from the MRIs. Spectral analysis was conducted on the filtered audio recorded during the MRI. Results. The Operatic technique demonstrated a lower larynx, a larger tongue−palate distance, and larger epilaryngeal and pharyngeal tube diameters compared to Kulning. Edge showed the highest laryngeal position, narrowest pharynx and epilarynx tubes, and the least forward-tilted larynx out of the styles studied. The spectra of Opera and Kulning showed a dominant first harmonic, while in Edge, the second harmonic was the strongest. Conclusions. The results shed light on the magnitude of vocal tract changes necessary for genre-typical vocal projection. This information can be pedagogically helpful.

Research paper thumbnail of Characterizing vocal-fold dynamics in singing vocal modes from Complete Vocal Technique using high-speed laryngeal imaging and electroglottographic analysis

Complete Vocal Technique (CVT) is a method used in voice pedagogy. In CVT, all voiced sounds (wit... more Complete Vocal Technique (CVT) is a method used in voice pedagogy. In CVT, all voiced sounds (with vowels) are divided into four vocal modes – Neutral, Curbing, Overdrive and Edge. The vocal modes are identified and defined according to auditory attributes - metal, density, vowel and loudness – setting practical rules for the use of vocal modes. Recent laryngostroboscopic imaging studies have demonstrated visibly different laryngeal gestures between Curbing, Overdrive and Edge (McGlashan et al., 2016; Thuesen et al., 2017; Aaen et al., 2018). There are no study on vocal-fold dynamics of the vocal modes using high-speed imaging. The aim was to examine vocal-fold dynamics in CVT four vocal modes by means of laryngeal imaging techniques and electroglottography (EGG) analyses. Furthermore, the purpose was to test the feasibility of the selected methods to assess CVT vocal modes. Five non-classical singers (3 F mean age 38 yo; 2 M mean age 41 yo) trained in CVT were imaged with highspeed...

Research paper thumbnail of Characterizing Vocal Tract Dimensions in the Vocal Modes Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Journal of Voice, 2020

The aim was to study vocal tract dimensions in four vocal modes − Neutral, Curbing, Overdrive and... more The aim was to study vocal tract dimensions in four vocal modes − Neutral, Curbing, Overdrive and Edge − from Complete Vocal Technique (CVT) by means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Furthermore, the purpose was to test the feasibility of MRI to assess CVT vocal modes. Methods. Four nonclassical singers (two females, two males) trained in CVT were imaged with an MRI scanner while singing sustained vowels at same pitch (Bb4 for females, F4 for males) in all vocal modes. Audio signals were simultaneously recorded through a pipe for quality assurance purposes. Auditory evaluation was performed by three CVT teachers in the scanner control room via headphones, and by one CVT teacher inside the MRI room. Previously developed measurement models modified by the authors were used to measure vocal tract dimensions from sagittal MRI projections. Repeatability test was performed for all measurements. Results. In all subjects, vocal tract dimensions displayed differences between the vocal modes. Edge stood out from other vocal modes by showing most laryngeal narrowing accompanied by shortest vocal tract and highest vertical laryngeal position. For Neutral, least mouth opening and shortest distance between tongue and palate were found. Curbing differed consistently from Edge and somewhat from Overdrive showing higher measured values for vocal fold length. Differences regarding vocal fold length were also detected between Neutral and Edge. As expected, differences in vocal tract dimensions were found between samples sung with different vowels. Conclusions. Vocal tract adjustments play a key role in the production of the vocal modes. The model used to measure vocal tract dimensions succeeded in finding significant differences between the vocal modes, also detecting differences between different vowel productions. The method used to characterize vocal tract dimensions seem promising and would be worthwhile to apply to a larger material.