Resonance in Singing and Speaking | Page 4

is
only another name for individuality as exhibited in each person. The
same general elements enter into the composition of all voices, from
the basso profundo to the high soprano.
That the reader may better understand the proportion and relations of
the different parts of the vocal apparatus, a sectional drawing of the
head is here produced, showing the natural position of the vocal organs
at rest. As the drawing represents but a vertical section of the head the
reader should note that the sinuses, like the eyes and nostrils, lie in
pairs to the right and left of the centre of the face. The location of the
maxillary sinuses within the maxillary or cheek bones cannot be shown
in this drawing.

The dark shading represents the cavities of the throat, nose, and head.
The relations of the parts are shown more accurately than is possible in
any diagram. It will be noticed that the vibrations from the larynx
would pass directly behind the soft palate into the nasal chamber, and
very directly into the mouth. The nasal roof is formed by two bones
situated between the eyes; the sphenoid or wedge-bone, which is
connected with all other bones of the head, and the ethmoid or
sieve-like bone. The structure of these two bones, especially of the
ethmoid, consists of very thin plates or laminæ, forming a mass of air
cavities which communicate by small openings with the nasal cavity
below. Thus, the vibrations in the nose are transmitted to the air spaces
above, and the effective qualities of the head vibrations are added to the
tone.
THE LARYNX
The larynx or voice-box contains the vocal cords. Just above the vocal
cords on each side is a large, deep cavity, called the ventricle. These
cavities reinforce the primary vibrations set up by the cords and serve
to increase their intensity as they are projected from the larynx. The
larynx is the vibrating organ of the voice. It is situated at the base of the
tongue and is so closely connected with it by attachment to the hyoid
bone, to which the tongue is also attached, that it is capable of only
slight movement independent of that organ; consequently it must move
with the tongue in articulation. The interior muscles of the larynx vary
the position of its walls, thus regulating the proximity and tension of
the vocal cords. The male larynx is the larger and shows the Adam's
apple. In both sexes the larynx of the low voice, alto or bass, is larger
than that of the high voice, soprano or tenor. The larynx and tongue
should not rise with the pitch of the voice, but drop naturally with the
lower jaw as the mouth opens in ascending the scale. The proper
position of the tongue will insure a proper position for the larynx. The
less attention the larynx receives the better.
THE VOCAL CORDS
The vocal cords are neither cords nor bands, but instead are thick
portions of membrane extending across the inner surface of the larynx.

On account of familiarity the name vocal cords will still be used. They
are fairly well represented by the lips of the cornet player when placed
on the mouthpiece of the instrument. The pitch of the tone is fixed by
the tension of the vocal cords and the width and length of the opening
between them. Their tension and proximity are self-adjusted to produce
the proper pitch without any conscious volition of the singer. They can
have no special training, needing only to be left alone. The work of the
vocal cords, though essentially important, is, when naturally performed,
light and consequently not exhausting. If the larynx and all of its
supporting muscles are relaxed as they are in free and easy breathing,
then when the air passes out through the larynx, the vocal cords will
automatically assume a tension sufficient to vocalize the breath and
give the note the proper pitch. The normal action of the cords will
never cause hoarseness or discomfort. The sound should seem to be
formed, not in the throat,--thus involving the vocal cords,--but in the
resonance chambers.
THE EPIGLOTTIS
The epiglottis is the valve which closes over the upper opening of the
larynx. It not only closes the mouth of the larynx when food is
swallowed, but aids materially in converting into tone the vibrations set
up by the vocal cords.
THE PHARYNX
The pharynx extends from the larynx to the nasal cavity. The size of the
opening into the nasal chamber is controlled by the soft palate and is
frequently entirely closed. The size of the pharynx is varied by the
contraction and relaxation of the circular muscles in its tissue; when
swallowing its walls are in contact. The pharynx acts as does the
expanding tube of