A
A CAPPELLA. Singing without instrumental accompaniment. ALTO.
The lowest pitched female singing voice; CONTRALTO. APHONIA.
No voice; loss of voice. ARIA.
Song, especially an operatic solo. ARPEGGIO.
Notes of a chord sung (or played) in succession. ART
SONG. Song, usually composed to erudite poetry, generally intended for formal
performance. ARTICULATION.
Pronunciation of vowels and consonants. ASPIRATE.
Breathy. ATROPHY.
Withering or wasting away of a tissue or organ, as may occur in paralysis or aging.
ATTACK. Beginning
of the vocal tone; ONSET. Go
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B
BALLAD. 1. A folk song. 2. A popular romantic song. BARBERSHOP.
Four-part a cappella harmonic singing consisting of (from highest to lowest parts),
Tenor (usually in falsetto), Lead (usually the melody), Baritone and Bass. BARITONE.
A male voice having a lighter tonal quality than a bass and extending a few notes
higher. BASS.
The lowest pitched male voice. BEL
CANTO. A style of singing prevalent in the 17th-18th centuries, characterized
by beautiful tone, lyricism, and brilliant, florid vocal technique. BELTING.
Style of singing that uses an adjustment producing heavy tones throughout the
vocal range. BILATERAL.
Pertaining to two (or both) sides. BLEND.
1. The combination of voices in group singing so that individual performers are
indistinguishable. 2. Smooth transitions between the registers of the singing
voice.
BRAVURA. Brilliant style or technique in performance. BOGART-BACALL
SYNDROME. A syndrome of vocal misuse, occurring most commonly in professional
voice users and characterized by pitching the speaking voice too low. BOTOX.
A popular acronym for Botulinum toxin. BOTULINUM
TOXIN. A neuromuscular toxin that frequently is used to treat dystonias, specifically
spasmodic dysphonia, by being injected into the affected muscles. BREAK.
A sudden shift in vocal registration; "crack" in the voice. BREATH
SUPPORT. Efficient and appropriate use of the breath stream for phonation. BREATH
STREAM. Column of exhaled air released from the lungs and used to activate the
vocal cords to produce phonation. BREATH
SUPPORT. Efficient and appropriate use of the breath stream for singing. BRIGHT.
Tone abundant in high harmonic partials. Go
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C
CANTATA. An extensive composition for solo voice and/or chorus. CANTOR.
The official soloist or chief singer of the liturgy in a church or synagogue.
CARCINOMA. A
generic term for some forms of cancer arising from the lining membranes of the
body.
See also squamous cell carcinoma. CASTRATO.
Male singer castrated in boyhood in order to retain his alto or soprano voice
(18th century or earlier). CHEST
REGISTER/TONE/VOICE. Adjustment that produces heavy tones suitable for loud singing
and the lower range of the voice. CLAVICULAR
BREATHING. Inhaling by means of the muscles which normally move the shoulders;
does not provide adequate control over exhalation. COLORATURA.
1. Ornate embellishment in vocal music. 2. A singer specializing in coloratura,
i.e., "coloratura soprano." CONVERSION
REACTION. Transformation of an emotion into a physical manifestation, as in conversion
hysteria (e.g., conversion aphonia). COUNTER-TENOR.
A male singer who sings at the same pitch as an alto, either by extending his
tenor voice or by singing falsetto. COVERING.
The technique of "darkening" the tone (increasing pharyngeal space),
especially at register
transition points. CROONING.
Style of singing popular during the "Big Band Era," characterized by
a "smooth" tone that is light in intensity and depends upon a microphone
for projection. Go
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D
DARK.
Tone lacking high harmonic partials.
DEPRESSED
LARYNX. Adjustment produced by dropping the jaw and pressing it against the larynx,
used to artificially deepen the voice.
DIAPHRAGMATIC BREATHING. Technique
of breath support in which the muscles of the lower back and abdomen are consciously
engaged, in conjunction with the lowering of the diaphragm. DIPLOPHONIA.
A double-tone, usually associated with differential tension of the vocal folds,
as in unilateral vocal cord paralysis. DRAMATIC.
A term used to designate a large operatic voice, especially suited to the performance
of Verdi or Wagner; i.e., "dramatic soprano." DYNAMICS.
Variations in amplitude, or loudness/softness in musical performance. DYSPHAGIA.
Difficulty swallowing. DYSPHONIA.
Abnormal voice; a disorder of phonation; hoarseness. DYSRESONANCE.
A disorder of phonation characterized by reduced or abnormal resonance. DYSTONIA.
A disorder of muscle tonicity; spasmodic dysphonia is a focal laryngeal dystonia.
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E
ELECTROMYOGRAPHY.
A laboratory test in which the electrical activity of a muscle or of muscle groups
is measured. Useful in determining the prognosis of vocal cord paralysis.
F
FALSETTO.
The highest register of the voice. FALSETTO.
The lightest register; adjustment especially conducive to the production of the
highest notes of the male voice. FIORITURE.
Embellishment to ornament the music. FLORID.
Ornamented, embellished, virtuosic. FOCUSED.
A singing tone that is acoustically efficient. FORCED
RESIDUAL CAPACITY (FRC). The amount of air that remains in the lung after the
tidal volume (that used for quiet breathing and speaking) is expelled. FORCED.
Singing produced without excess muscular tension, "released." FREE.
Singing produced without excess muscular tension, "released." FREQUENCY
RANGE. 1. Distance between one's highest and lowest frequency; usually determined
by instructing the individual to sing the highest note possible and then the lowest
note possible. 2. A synonym for pitch range. FREQUENCY.
In acoustics, the number of repetitions of compressions and rarefactions of a
sound wave that occur at the same rate over a period of time, usually expressed
in Hertz (Hz) or cycles per second. FRY,
GLOTTAL/VOCAL. Toneless "rattle" produced by the vocal cords. FULL
VOICE. Highly resonant singing at maximum volume and capacity.
FUNCTIONAL
VOICE DISORDER. A voice disorder that is caused by misuse or abuse of the anatomically
and neurologically intact vocal apparatus. Go
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G
GASTROESOPHAGEAL
REFLUX (GER). Condition in which stomach contents flow in a retrograde fashion
into the esophagus or upper aerodigestive tract. See also laryngopharyngeal reflux.
GLISSANDO. A
"slide" through a series of consecutive pitches. GLOBUS
HYSTERICUS. The sensation of a lump in the throat supposedly due to hysteria.
GLOBUS (GLOBUS
PHARYNGEUS). The sensation of a lump in the throat. GLOTTAL
ATTACK. Onset of phonation produced by excessive tension in the closure of the
vocal cords; hyperadduction. GLOTTIS
(adj: GLOTTIC). The larynx or vocal apparatus, particularly the vocal cords themselves.
GRANULOMA. A
benign growth resulting from infection and/or chronic irritation, most commonly
due to gastroesophageal reflux. GRANULOMATOUS
DISEASE(S). Uncommon infectious and non-infectious inflammatory causes of laryngeal
dysfunction, including fungal infections and tuberculosis. Go
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H
HARMONIC PARTIALS.
Frequencies (vibrations) that result from subdivisions of a fundamental pitch,
and that occur simultaneously with the fundamental vibration, resulting in a complex
or resonant tone, (see OVERTONE). HEAD
REGISTER/TONE/VOICE. Adjustment producing light, flute-like tones, conducive to
soft and high singing. HELDENTENOR.
Tenor whose voice is powerful enough for Wagnerian operatic roles. HEMATOMA.
A localized collection of blood, usually clotted, in an organ, space, or tissue,
due to a break in the wall of a blood vessel. HEMORRHAGE.
The escape of blood from the vessels; bleeding. HOARSENESS.
Dysphonia. HOOK-UP.
Proper coordination of the muscles of breathing and muscles of phonation. HUM.
Vocal sound made with closed lips. HYPOTHYROIDISM.
A condition caused by the underproduction of thyroid hormone, and one of the causes
of Reinke's edema (see below). Go
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I
IDIOPATHIC. Of
unknown cause. INFECTION.
Invasion and multiplication of microorganisms in body tissues. INFLAMMATION.
The protective response of a tissue or organ to injury, destruction, or infection.
L
LARYNGEAL WEB.
A localized band of scar tissue between the vocal cords. LARYNGITIS.
Inflammation of the larynx. LARYNGOLOGIST.
An otolaryngologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of problems
of the larynx and voice. LARYNGOLOGY.
The study of the larynx. LARYNGOPHARYNGEAL
REFLUX. Gastroesophageal reflux into the larynx and pharynx. LARYNGOPLASTIC
PHONOSURGERY. Plastic surgery of the laryngeal framework to alter (usually improve)
the voice, such as for vocal cord paralysis. LARYNGOPLASTY.
A generic term for surgery of the laryngeal framework. LARYNX.
The voice box, the glottis, the vocal apparatus. LEAD.
In barbershop quartet singing, the second part from the top; the most prominent
voice, generally the one carrying the melody. LEGATO.
The quality of being smooth and connected. LIEDER.
German art songs. LINE.
An essential of musical artistry, implying legato and consistency of timbre. LYRIC.
Poem especially suited to music. Go
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M
MADRIGAL.
A form of composition for unaccompanied voices, which was developed during the
early Renaissance. MARKING.
An aphonic rehearsal technique used by singers to preserve the voice. MARKING.
Rehearsing without using full voice. MEDIALIZATION
LARYNGOPLASTY. A laryngoplastic procedure performed to restore the voice after
unilateral vocal cord paralysis. MELODIE.
French art song. MESSA
DI VOCE. A prolonged crescendo and decrescendo (increasing and decreasing amplitude)
on a sustained tone. MEZZA
VOCE. Singing with only "half voice." MEZZO
SOPRANO. A voice slightly lower than a soprano, with a "darker" tone
quality. MIXED
REGISTRATION/TONE/VOICE. Vocal adjustment having qualities of both light and heavy
register. MUSCLE
TENSION DYSPHONIA. 1. A voice disorder characterized by abnormal or excessive
laryngeal muscle tension. 2. A functional voice disorder associated with the vocal
abuse and misuse syndromes. Go
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N
NASAL. Tone produced
by lowering the soft palate (velum) and using the nose as a resonator. NEUROMUSCULAR.
Pertaining to nerves and muscles. NODULE.
A small knot. See also vocal nodule. Go
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O
ODYNOPHAGIA.
Painful swallowing. ODYNOPHONIA.
Painful phonation or speaking. OPEN
THROAT. Condition considered desirable for resonance; large pharynx. OPERA.
Large musical work in which drama and music are combined, and performers sing
and act. OPTIMAL
FUNDAMENTAL FREQUENCY (OFF). The frequency at which the vocal folds vibrate with
the least amount of external force. ORATORIO.
Large musical composition for voices, narrating a story (usually sacred), without
dramatic action. ORGANIC
VOICE DISORDER. A voice disorder that is not functional; that is, one that is
caused by an abnormality of the organ, be it congenital, inflammatory, traumatic,
or neoplastic. OTOLARYNGOLOGIST.
A physician specializing in problems of the ears, nose and throat. Also termed
an otorhinolaryngologist. OVERTONE.
Harmonic partial higher than the fundamental frequency, which contributes to the
resonant quality, or timbre of sound. Go
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P
PAPILLOMA. A
benign wart-like growth occurring in the larynx as a result of infection with
a herpes- like virus. PARALYSIS.
Loss or impairment of motor function due to lesion of the neural or muscular mechanism.
PARESIS. Slight
or incomplete paralysis. PARKINSONISM.
A group of neurological diseases characterized by weakness, tremor, and muscular
rigidity. Believed to be due to a deficiency of dopamine in the basal ganglia
of the brain. PASSAGGIO.
Transition ("passageway") from one vocal register to another. PASSAGIO.
That part of the pitch range of a singer's voice ("the passage") that
is transitional between registers, especially the transition to the "head
voice." PATTER
SONG. Song with many rapid words. PHONATION.
1. Physiological process whereby the energy of moving air in the vocal tract is
transformed into acoustic energy within the larynx. 2. Production of voiced sound
by means of
vocal fold vibration. PITCH
RANGE. 1. Distance between one's highest and lowest pitches; usually determined
by instructing the individual to sing the highest note possible and then the lowest
note possible. 2. A synonym for frequency range. PITCH.
The subjective quality of frequency. PITCH-LOCKED.
Inability to produce significant variations in the pitch of the voice. PLACEMENT.
Technique of singing guided by sensations of vibrations in the face, behind the
teeth, in the nose, etc.; i.e., "forward placement." POLYP.
A protruding growth from a mucous membrane. POLYPOID
DEGENERATION. Markedly swollen vocal cords due to the accumulation of gelatinous
material in the subepithelial (Reinke's) space. Reinke's edema is a synonym. PORTAMENTO.
"Carrying" the voice through all the pitches between the first and last
sounded. PRESBYLARYNX.
Old age larynx; often associated with bowing and/or atrophy of the vocal cords.
PRIMA DONNA.
Soprano soloist, especially the lead in an opera; "first lady." PROJECTION.
The ability of a voice to be heard without amplification. PSYCHOGENIC.
Produced or caused by psychic or mental factors rather than organic factors. PURE
TONE. Tone having no overtones; "simple tone." Go
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R
RANGE.
Frequency compass of the voice which is most efficient and aesthetically pleasing.
REFLUX LARYNGITIS.
Inflammatory condition of the larynx resulting from gastroesophageal reflux, specifically
from laryngopharyngeal reflux. REFLUX.
A condition in which stomach contents flow in a retrograde fashion into the esophagus
or upper aerodigestive tract. See also gastroesophageal reflux and laryngopharyngeal
reflux. REGISTER.
A series of tones that are produced by similar mechanical gestures of vocal fold
vibration, glottal and pharyngeal shape, and related air pressure, with resulting
similar tone quality. REINKE'S
EDEMA. Markedly swollen vocal cords due to the accumulation of gelatinous material
in the subepithelial (Reinke's) space. Polypoid degeneration is a synonym. RESONANCE.
Intensification of sound by sympathetic vibration, resulting in harmonic partials,
or overtones. RICH.
Tone containing many harmonic partials. RING.
Acoustic resonance at 2,500-3,000 Hz that enables a singer's voice to project
over a full orchestra, in a large hall; "EDGE." Go
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S
SCAT.
Improvisational technique used in jazz ("bop") singing, consisting of
wordless variations of sounds, often in imitation of instrumental jazz passages.
SCOOP. Undesirable
singing habit of beginning a note beneath, then sliding up to the desired pitch.
SOPRANO. The
highest pitched female singing voice. SOTTO
VOCE. In a soft voice. SPASMODIC
DYSPHONIA. A focal laryngeal dystonia. Spastic dysphonia and focal laryngeal dystonia
are synonyms. SPASTIC
DYSPHONIA. A focal laryngeal dystonia. As above. SPEAKING
FUNDAMENTAL FREQUENCY (SFF). 1. The fundamental frequency most often used in spontaneous
speech. 2. the central tendency of the pitches used by an individual. 3. the measurement
or estimation of the habitual pitch. SPEECH
PATHOLOGY (PATHOLOGIST). 1. The study of abnormalities of speech and voice. 2.
A specialist in speech, language and voice disorders. SPREAD.
Tone containing inharmonic partials; unfocused tone. SQUAMOUS
CELL CARCINOMA. A malignant neoplasm (new growth) made of epithelial cells tending
to infiltrate the surrounding tissues and give rise to metastasis (distant spread).
(the most common type of cancer of the larynx and lung). STACCATO.
Each note separate, detached by a brief silence. STENOSIS.
Narrowing or stricture of a hollow organ, usually due to scar-tissue formation.
STROBOSCOPY.
Use of an instrument by which the successive phases of vocal cord vibrations may
be studied; motion may appear to come to rest. SUBGLOTTIC
STENOSIS. Narrowing or stricture of the larynx in the area just below the vocal
cords. SUBGLOTTIS
(adj: SUBGLOTTIC). An anatomic term for that part of the larynx below the vocal
cords, but above the trachea. SUPRAGLOTTIC
CONTRACTION. A term used to describe the finding commonly observed in muscle tension
dysphonia and vocal cord paralysis in which the supraglottic structures appear
to come together, often obscuring the vocal cords. SUPRAGLOTTIS
(adj: SUPRAGLOTTIC). An anatomic term for that part of the larynx above the vocal
cords, including the ventricles, false vocal cords, aryepiglottic folds, and epiglottis.
SWIPE. In barbershop
singing, a simultaneous glissando of four voices from one chord or harmony to
a new one. Go
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T
TEFLON
INJECTION. A technique used to augment the vocal cord for vocal cord paralysis.
TENOR. Highest
pitched of the male voices, except for the counter-tenor. TESSITURA.
1. The general range of a melody or voice part. 2. The part of the register in
which most of the tones of the melody or voice part lie. TESSITURA.
1. That portion of a singer's range in which production is easiest and most beautiful.
2. Pitch compass of a composition in which most of the notes lie; if this is high,
the piece is said to have a "high tessitura." THROATY.
Characterized by too much pharyngeal resonance and/or excessive pharyngeal tension;
"swallowed", "dark" or "tight" tone. TIDAL
VOLUME. The amount of air that is inspired and expired during one respiratory
cycle at rest or during quiet phonation. TIMBRE.
A subjective aspect of the harmonic structure of musical tone; resonant quality,
tone-color. TRANSNASAL
FIBEROPTIC LARYNGOSCOPY (TFL). A technique for examining the larynx in which a
small fiberoptic instrument is placed above the larynx, through the nose. The
technique allows examination across the dynamic range of the voice and during
connected speech. TRAUMA.
A wound or injury. TREMOLO.
Any vocal vibrato that is undesirable; i.e., too fast or too slow. TREMOR.
An involuntary trembling or quivering. TRILL.
A form of vocal ornamentation in which there is a rapid alternation between two
notes, usually a step or half-step apart. Go
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U
UNILATERAL.
Affecting one side only. UPPER
RESPIRATORY INFECTION (URI). A viral or bacterial infection involving the nose
and/or throat.
V
VENTRICLE.
The anatomic recess between the true and false vocal cords. VENTRICULAR
CYST. An abnormal benign dilation of the laryngeal ventricle, usually caused by
obstruction of the opening of the laryngeal saccule. VIBRATO.
A pulsating characteristic of tone due to regular, barely perceptible, rapid fluctuations
in pitch, timbre, and/or intensity. VIBRATO.
Rhythmical fluctuations in amplitude and pitch of the voice, used most by classical
singers. VIDEOSTROBOSCOPY.
A technique for evaluating laryngeal biomechanics in which a stroboscope and videotaping
are used. VOCAL
POLYP. A unilateral pedunculated or sessile (broad based) polyp (not Reinke's
edema).
VOCAL FATIGUE. Deterioration of the vocal quality due to prolonged
use; may be the result of vocal misuse or abuse, or may be indicative of a pathological
condition. VOCAL
CORD CYST. A cyst occurring in the subepithelial (Reinke's) space of the vocal
cord, usually requiring surgical removal. VOCAL
CORD. The vocal fold. VOCAL
FOLD. The vocal cord. VOCAL
MISUSE. Incorrect use of pitch, volume, breath support, or rate which may occur
singly or in combination. VOCAL
ABUSE. Mistreatment, usually by overuse, of the vocal cords, without regard for
theconsequences of improper treatment. VOCAL
NODULES. Bilaterally occurring thickenings at the junction of the anterior and
middle thirds of the vocal folds, resulting from vocal misuse or abuse. VOCAL
CONSERVATION. Technique(s) used to preserve or improve vocal function. VOCALISE.
1. (v.) To exercise the voice. 2. (n.) A passage practiced to maintain or develop
technical skill in singing. VOICE
REST. Abstinence from phonation. VOICE
BREAKS. 1. Sudden abnormal shift of pitch during phonation. 2. A pitch-specific
dysphonia. VOICE.
The external phonatory output of the vocal tract. VOWEL
MODIFICATION. Adjustments in the usual pronunciation of vowels for more favorable
resonance throughout the singing range. Go
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W
WHISPER. Completely
breathy sound. WHISTLE
REGISTER. The highest female register. WOBBLE.
Excessive vibrato. Go
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Y
YODELING.
Singing characterized by obvious shifts in registration. | 
