Elements of Singing Resonance

Elements of Voice Resonance and its Relevance in Singing

Since time immemorial there has been a constant debate as to whether the vocal chords of human beings is a stringed instrument, a reed instrument or a whistle. And without fail the discussions have ended in a draw since everyone seem to agree that the human vocal chords are all these and more besides. It is an unique instrument and far superior and incomparable to any man made instrument. Our vocal chords are far more complex, more capable than any instrument, can imitate nearly every instrument. In comparison, it sounded is more beautiful. No instrument can bring as much emotion and feel in a song than a human voice.

Elements of Vocal Chords in Singing Resonance:
The vocal chords in singing resonance has three elements in common to all musical instruments. A motor, a vibrator and a resonator. Additionally the human vocal chords have one more element which no instrument has and that is an Articulator.

Motor: Lungs and the respiratory muscles.
Vibrator: Vocal chords.
Resonator: Throat, mouth, nasal and head cavities.
Articulator: Tongue, lips, teeth and palate.

Of course these elements are unique to each individual and, its size and capacity to perform also varies from person to person. But without doubt each individual’s capacity has a unique beauty of its own. Since each person has a unique set of elements, it falls on him to develop its capabilities to the fullest extent and make use of its potential. With the strengthening, developing and modulating of these variables a human being can express feelings such as pleasure, pain, anger, grief, doubt , courage, fear etc with his voice and tonal quality. No instrument on earth can produce such a variety of emotions.

The quality and power of resonance can be explained with the example of a tuning fork. When you vibrate a tuning fork, you can see the vibration but you cannot hear anything if it is held in air. But if you rest it on a table, or a plate, glass or on the bridge of a violin then the tones of the tuning fork will be distinctly heard to a long distance.

Similarly the vocal chords by itself cannot be heard without the aid of the other elements. When the vocal chords vibrate and combines with vibration of the air in the nasal and head cavities which forms the resonance chambers, the sound is formed and heard to the distance it is thrown and in the tonal quality and color it is formed depending on each individual.

Tone is the result of rapid periodic vibration. The pitch of tone depends upon number of vibrations in a given period; loudness of tone depends upon amplitude of the vibrations; quality of tone depends upon form of vibrations; and form of vibrations depends upon the resonator.

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