Function of Laryngeal Muscles in Regulating Fundamental Frequency and Intensity of Phonation

Abstract

Electromyographic recordings of the activity of selected intrinsic laryngeal muscles of a professional singer and several untrained subjects were made during both singing and speech. The mechanism regulating fundamental frequency and intensity differed for different registers and fundamental frequencies. For low-pitched phonation in chest register, laryngeal muscles contributed pronouncedly to changes in fundamental frequency and intensity; whereas for high-pitched phonation in falsetto register, their contribution was less. Therefore, one can presume that for high falsetto the air-flow rate was the dominant factor regulating fundamental frequency and intensity. There was no essential difference of the muscular activity patterns between speech and singing in chest register as far as regulation of fundamental frequency and intensity of voice is concerned. [This research was partially supported by the National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, and the Office of Naval Research.]