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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