Vocalist.org archive


From:  "Lloyd W. Hanson" <lloyd.hanson@n...>
"Lloyd W. Hanson" <lloyd.hanson@n...>
Date:  Mon Oct 9, 2000  4:54 pm
Subject:  Re: The rest of the voice,beneath the singer's formant


Dear Mike and Vocalisters:

The biggest difference that is appearant in spectographs of pops singers
verses classical singers is in the amount of non-harmonic overtones which
are present in pops singers. Consequently their spectographs appear very
dense and smeared or blurry. These non-harmonic overtones are also of the
kind that we hear in basic speech. Speech specialistis refer to these
non-harmonic tones as "noise".

The same differences can be seen in the spectographs of classic acoustic
guitar verses amplified rock guitar. Rock guitar tone is repleat with
non-harmonic overtones which gives that "noise" quality to the rock quitar.

You have stated very well your preference for singers that sound more like
speakers. You are reflecting a modern preference for noise in your music.
And the music he hear every day in every manner and form is filled with
non-harmonic noise. In fact, it is not uncommon that sound systems
intended to reproduce pops music often have "noise" elements added to, or
not eliminated from, their design.

But "noise" in any form has never been a goal of classic music. Classic
music has always sought a purity of tone and throughout its history has
struggled for improvement of instruments and voices that would help meet
this artistic goal.

Again, none of the above is meant to be a value judgement, only a definition
of differences in artistic goals. It is a mistake to not know and
understand the differences which is why we all seek answers for ourselves
and our preferences.


Regards
--
Lloyd W. Hanson, DMA
Professor of Voice, Vocal Pedagogy
School of Performing Arts
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ 86011


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