VOCAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FOLK SINGERS IN THE CITY OF JOÃO PESSOA

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the vocal characteristics of singers from the city of João Pessoa. Materials and Methods: A vocal assessment of 20 vocal singers was carried out - professionals and amateurs, of both sexes, aged between 16 and 53 years old. The assessment consisted in the measurement of the maximum phonation time of the singer through the emission of the vowel /ε/ in modal tone, followed by the fricative phonemes /s/ and /z/ until the end of expiration. In addition, we conducted an analysis of the subjects singing a known song, in which they could acknowledge some difficulty regarding the vocal weaving. Results: The means of the maximum time of emission were 26.6 seconds for the phoneme /s/, 23 seconds for /z/ and 15 seconds for the vowel /ε/. 70% of the singers showed upper respiration pattern, 75% pneumophonoarticulatory incoordination, 50% adequate intensity, 50% laryngeal resonance, 85% imprecise articulation, 70% modal registration of chest, 50% abrupt vocal attack, and 50% mild vocal attack. Conclusions: The singers showed various vocal characteristics, some favorable to the exercise of their professional activity, and others that can compromise their health and vocal performance. DESCRIPTORS: Voice. Voice Quality. Music. Larynx. Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences.