• Michelle Ostrove

The Sound Transmission of Your Voice

Updated: Nov 10, 2020

Voices are as distinct as our faces, everyone is uniquely different; no voice is exactly alike. The vocal acoustics can be described as the attributes and qualities of a voice and how the sound is transmitted from it. The vocal qualities are affected by harmonic structure, frequency vibration of the vocal folds (cords), timbre, power and flexibility. The word acoustics, in general, is the science of production, control, and transmitting the effects of sound. Vocal acoustics is the sound transmission of your voice.

Resonant strategies relate specifically to how the vocal tract resonates the harmonics that are produced by the vocal folds (the sound transmission). They include the process of making specific acoustic choices in order to harness energy boosts in the vocal sound. Resonant strategies are essential for determining how to create stability, modify vowels, and to sing in different styles.

Here is an example of vocal acoustics, call out the word “Woohoo”. Notice how your voice sounds. Where do you feel the “Woo” and then the “hoo” sounds? Many people say that they feel the "Woo" sensation in the back of their head, and the “hoo” further up in their face, near the sinus area. These sensations can be subtle; the “woo” sound that you created feels that way because it’s your first boost of conjoined with your first harmonic (original sound wave). For this reason, the vocal folds create a harmonic spectrum with less energy in the upper harmonics. People often use this strategy to create more energy in the lower harmonics or when they want to sing higher and avoid strain on the vocal fold muscles.

Listen to Lily Toreja singing “Lose” with beautiful acoustic vocals!


How does one trumpet player greet another? "Hi. I'm better than you."

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