A Descriptive Study of Vocal Maturation Among â Male Adolescent Vocalists and Instrumentalists

This descriptive study was designed to examine middle school adolescent boys' singing voices (N = 104) comprising volunteers enrolled in band (n = 72) or choir (n = 32). The authors sought to confirm possible earlier voice change, to compare vocal characteristics among frequent (choir) and infr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of research in music education 2010-04, Vol.58 (1), p.5-19
Main Authors: Killian, Janice N., Wayman, John B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescents
Baritone
Choirs
Developmental Stages
Early Adolescents
Falsetto
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 8
Grade 9
Instrumental music
Intermediate Grades
Likert Scales
Males
Middle School Students
Middle Schools
Music Education
Musical Instruments
Musical performances
Musicians
Musicians & conductors
Physical Development
Puberty
R&D
Research & development
Singers
Singing
Sound pitch
Speech
Student Attitudes
Students
Studies
Teachers
United States (Southwest)
Voice data
Volunteers
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Summary:This descriptive study was designed to examine middle school adolescent boys' singing voices (N = 104) comprising volunteers enrolled in band (n = 72) or choir (n = 32). The authors sought to confirm possible earlier voice change, to compare vocal characteristics among frequent (choir) and infrequent (band) singers, and to determine use of falsetto during each voice stage.To assess falsetto, the authors had participants view and then imitate a segment of Shrek, in which characters speak in falsetto and bass. Students then spoke a line at high, medium, and low pitches. They then self-selected their highest and lowest singing pitches, sustaining them as long as possible. Following Cooksey procedures, the authors identified the boys' speaking pitch and guided them to their highest and lowest pitches. Data consisted of demographic information; changing voice stages; high, medium, and low speaking contrasts; highest and lowest sung pitches (both self-selected and instructor-guided); number of seconds pitches were held; presence/absence of falsetto singing; and Likert-type responses to "Like singing?" and "Sing well?" Results confirmed that boys' voices continue to change at an early age and can be divided reliably into predictable developmental stages and that speaking voices were 3 to 4 semitones above lowest sung pitches. Predictable identification of falsetto appeared elusive.
ISSN:0022-4294
1945-0095
DOI:10.1177/0022429409359941