PURPOSE: To characterize, by phonetography, the vocal dynamics of choristers with different vocal classifications. METHODS: Forty-four professional choir singers with ages between 19 and 75 years (average: 51.9 years old) participated in the study. The group included eight sopranos, 20 mezzo-sopranos, four tenors, seven baritones and five basses. The phonetography was carried out in an acoustically treated room. RESULTS: The averages of minimum and maximum frequency rates were obtained, respectively: soprano 36st (130 Hz) and 72st (1084 Hz), mezzo-soprano 35st (124 Hz) and 68st (878 Hz); tenor 28st (85 Hz) and 65st (709 Hz), baritone 26st (74 Hz) and 59st (524 Hz) and bass 26st (75 Hz) and 59st (513 Hz). Regarding the averages of minimum and maximum intensity rates, the following values were obtained, respectively: soprano 64 dB and 131 dB, mezzo-soprano 75 dB and 123 dB, tenor 82 dB and 126 dB, baritone 75 dB and 121 dB and bass 75 dB e 120 dB. Statistical analysis (Student's t-test) showed significant differences between female and male voice rates: soprano voices presented larger frequency maximum than mezzo-soprano. CONCLUSION: Data showed that phonetography allows the register of relevant vocal characteristics, helping the appropriate vocal classification of choristers.
Voice; Speech acoustics; Evaluation; Voice quality; Speech production measurement
