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Singing

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Singing is the art of producing musical sounds through the human voice.

Hals, Frans - Singing Girl - 1626-30
Hals, Frans - Singing Girl - 1626-30

It is often considered the oldest form of musical expression. Some people even view the human voice as the very first musical instrument. A person who sings as a profession or a hobby is called a singer or a vocalist. Singers perform various musical works, such as arias or songs. They may sing alone as soloists or as part of an ensemble, like a choir.

Windsbacher d
Windsbacher d

Singing can be formal or informal, and it can be arranged or improvised. People sing for many reasons, including religious devotion, ritual, or simple pleasure.

The physical process of singing requires several body systems to work in coordination. The lungs act as a bellows to provide a steady air supply. The larynx, or voice box, functions like a reed or vibrator to create sound. The chest, head cavities, and the skeleton act as an amplifier, much like the tube of a wind instrument.

Illu01 head neck
Illu01 head neck

To shape these sounds into specific vowels and consonants, the singer uses the tongue, palate, teeth, and lips. This process is called articulation. During breathing, the diaphragm helps with inhalation. Muscles like the abdominals or the intercostals help assist with exhalation. When a person sings with their lips closed, the act is called humming.

Every human voice is entirely unique due to individual anatomy. The shape and size of a person's vocal cords, or vocal folds, play a major role. These folds can loosen, tighten, or change thickness as breath passes over them. The shape of the neck and chest also influences the sound. Even bone structure and the position of the tongue affect the final result. These factors change the pitch, volume, timbre, or tone of the voice.

Gray1204
Gray1204

Additionally, a more powerful voice may be achieved if the vocal fold mucosa is fatter and more fluid-like. This allows for a more efficient transfer of energy from airflow to the folds.

Singers also use vocal resonation to improve their sound. Resonation is the process where the basic sound is enhanced by air-filled cavities. These cavities act to improve the timbre or intensity of the voice. There are seven main areas used for resonation. These include the chest, the tracheal tree, the larynx, the pharynx, the oral cavity, the nasal cavity, and the sinuses. Singers can learn to project sound so it resonates better within the vocal tract. One method involves using the singer's formant, which matches the most sensitive frequency range of the human ear.

In European classical music, voices are categorized through a process called voice classification. This helps composers and opera houses match specific roles to the right singers. Classification considers vocal range, weight, timbre, and transition points like breaks. There are different systems, such as the German Fach system. Most classical systems recognize seven major adult voice categories. Women are typically divided into soprano, mezzo-soprano, and contralto. Men are divided into countertenor, tenor, baritone, and bass.

GClef
GClef

Children with high voices are often called trebles.

In choral music, the system is much simpler. Voices are divided based solely on vocal range. Most choirs use the SATB system, which stands for soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. Because many people have medium voices, they are often assigned to parts that are not a perfect fit. For example, a mezzo-soprano might sing alto, or a baritone might sing tenor. In contemporary music, classification is based on style rather than technical range. This includes genres like jazz, pop, rock, or soul. Because contemporary singers use microphones, classical terms like "soprano" may not always be accurate for them.

Vocal registration refers to the different patterns of tones a voice can produce. These registers originate from the laryngeal function. They occur because the vocal folds can produce different vibratory patterns. A register can refer to a part of the range, such as the upper or lower register. It can also refer to a resonance area, like chest voice or head voice. In men, the head voice is often called the falsetto. Some artists use vocal mixing to create smooth transitions between these different areas.

Lorenzo Costa - Un concerto (National Gallery, London)
Lorenzo Costa - Un concerto (National Gallery, London)

Singing is distinct from rapping. While rap uses rhythm and speech, it does not require the same pitch accuracy or tonality as singing.

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Lorenzo Costa - Un concerto (National...
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CH-NB Poster Collection SNL FETE 161.jpg
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Divine trio 2016.jpg
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Hals, Frans - Singing Girl - 1626-30.png
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Windsbacher d.jpg
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