Below is a dictionary of terms used with regard to the voice, vocal coaching & the practice of voice. If you would like further details of anything in the dictionary please contact us.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
Adduction: (əˈdʌkʃən)
n
To draw or pull a muscle towards the centre of the body. Full vocal fold adduction creates clear, non-breathy tone. See Bernoulli Effect.
Alimentary Canal:
The digestive tract.
Anatomy: (əˈnætəmɪ)
n
1. The science concerned with the physical structure of animals & plants.
2. The physical structure of an animal or plant or any of its parts.
3. Informal. The human body.
Articulate: (är-ˈtik-yə-lāt)
vb.
To speak or enunciate (words, syllables etc.) clearly & distinctly.
Articulation: (ɑːˌtɪkjʊˈleɪʃən)
n
1. the act or process of speaking or expressing in works.
2a. the process of articulating a speech sound.
2b. the sound so produced, esp. a consonant.
Articulator: (ɑːˈtɪkjʊˌleɪtə)
n
1. a person or thing that articulates.
2. Phonetics. any vocal organ that takes part in the production of a speech sound. Such organs are of two types: those that can move, such as the tongue, lips etc. (active articulators), & those that remain fixed, such as the teeth, the hard palate, etc. (passive articulators).
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B
Bernoulli Effect/Principle/Law: (bɛrnuji)
n
1. Physics. The principle that in a liquid flowing through a pipe, the pressure difference that accelerates the flow when the bore changes is equal to the product of half the density times the change of the square of the speed, provided friction is negligible.
2. The effect of a change in air pressure depending on the state & position of the vocal folds.
3. The Bernoulli Effect also comes in to play in sailing & aeronautics due the differences in air pressure infront/behind the sail or under/over the wing.
Buccal: (bʌk ə l)
adj
Of or relating to the cheek
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C
Cartilage: (ˈkɑːtɪlɪdʒ)
n
Nontechnical name: gristle. A tough elastic tissue composing most of the embryonic skeleton of vertebrates. In the adults of higher vertebrates it is mostly converted into bone, remaining only on the articulating ends of bones, in the thorax, trachea, nose, & ears.
Cartilaginous: (kär'tl-āj'ə-nəs)
adj
Composed of, relating to, or resembling Cartilage.
Clarity: (ˈklærɪtɪ)
n
Clearness of expression, tone & timbre.
Consonant: (ˈkɒnsənənt)
n
A speech sound or letter of the alphabet other than a vowel; a stop, fricative, or continuant.
Continuant: (kənˈtɪnjʊənt)
n
A speech sound, such as /l/, /r/, /f/, or /s/, in which the closure of the vocal tract is incomplete, allowing the continuous passage of the breath.
Cricoid Cartilage:
The lower of the two main cartilages that form the larynx. The Cricoid Cartilage is used when shouting & belting.
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D
Dental: (ˈdɛnt ə l)
adj
Of or relating to the teeth. We most frequently use the term dental when discussing phonemes created by using the teeth & another articulators.
Diaphragm: (ˈdaɪəˌfræm)
n
Anatomy. Any separating membrane, esp. the dome shaped muscular partition that separates the abdominal & thoracic cavities in mammals.
Diaphragmatic adj, Diaphragmatically adv
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E
Enunciate: (ɪˈnʌnsɪˌeɪt)
vb.
To articulate or pronounce (words), esp. clearly & distinctly.
Enunciation n.
Epiglottis: (ˌɛpɪˈɡlɒtɪs)
n
A thin cartilaginous flap that covers the entrance to the larynx during swallowing, preventing food from entering the trachea.
Estill Model:
Named after Jo Estill, who pioneered research into the function of the larynx & their constituent parts.
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F
Falsetto: (fɔːlˈsɛtəʊ)
n
1. a form of vocal production used by male singers to extend their range upwards.
2. Estill Model. A vocal setting used by both men and women. Commonly referred to as 'head-voice' in female singers.
False Vocal Folds:
n
There are the folds above the true vocal folds found within the larynx. They are not used for vocal production, but inhibit sound production if engaged.
Fricative: (ˈfrɪkətɪv)
n
A continuant consonant produced by partial occlusion of the air stream, such as /f/ or /z/.
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G
Glossophobia: (glô'sə'fəʊbɪə)
n
Fear of Public Speaking; also known as Stagefright (click here to read more)
Glottal: (ˈɡlɒt ə l)
adj
1. Of or relating to the glottis
2. Phonetics. Articulated or pronounced at or with the glottis. See Onset & Offset
Glottis: (ˈɡlɒtɪs)
n
Part of the vocal apparatus of the larynx, consisting of the two true vocal folds & the opening between them.
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H
Hyoid Bone:
n
The bone from which the larynx are suspended. The root of the tongue is connected to the Hyoid bone above & the larynx below.
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I
Inflection: (ɪnˈflɛkʃən)
n
Modulation/Change (through variation of pitch) of the voice.
Intercostal Muscles:
adj
Anatomy. The muscles between the ribs that help the ribcage to expand to allow breath.
Intonation: (ˌɪntəʊˈneɪʃən)
n
1. The sound pattern of phrases & sentences produced by pitch variation in the voice.
2. The act or manner of intoning
Intonation Pattern:
n (Linguistics)
A characteristic series of musical pitch levels that serves to distinguish between questions, statements, & other type of utterances.
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J
Jaw: (dʒɔː)
n
Also known as the mandible. The part of the skull of a vertebrate that frames the mouth and holds the teeth. In higher vertebrates it consists of the upper jaw (maxilla) fused to the cranium & the lower jaw (mandible).
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K
Kinaesthesia/Kinaesthetic Awareness: (ˌkɪnɪsˈθiːzɪə)
n
The sensation bu which bodily position, weight, muscle tension & movement are perceived & monitored. Also called Muscle Memory.
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L
Laryngeal: (ˌlærɪnˈdʒiːəl)
adj
Of or relating to the larynx (see below).
Laryngitis: (ˌlærɪnˈdʒaɪtɪs)
n
Inflammation of the larynx.
Larynx: (ˈlærɪŋks)
n
A cartilaginous & muscular hollow organ [found in the neck] forming part of the air passage to the lungs: it contains the vocal folds. The larynx is commonly known as the 'voicebox'.
Linguistics: (ˌlærɪnˈdʒaɪtɪs)
n
The scientific study of language.
Lung/Lungs: (ˈləŋ)
n
Either of the two saclike organs of respiration that occupy the pulmonary cavity of the thorax and in which aeration of the blood takes place. It is common for the right lung, which is divided into three lobes, to be slightly larger than the left, which has two lobes.
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M
Mandible: (ˈmændɪb ə l)
n
Also known as the jaw.
Maxilla: (mækˈsɪlə)
n
The upper jawbone.
Muscle Memory:
n
See Kinaesthesia.
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N
Nasal: (ˈneɪz ə l)
adj
1. Of or relating to the nose.
2. Phonetics. pronounced with the soft palate lowered allowing air to escape via the nasal cavity instead of or as well as through the mouth.
3. A nasal speech sound.
Nasality n.
Nasal Passages:
See Sinuses.
Nasopharynx: (ˌneɪzəʊˈfærɪŋks)
n
The part of the pharynx behind & above the soft palate, directly continuous with the nasal passages.
Nodule/Node: (ˈnɒdjuːl / nəʊd)
n
A bulge, protuberance or swelling. Vocal fold nodules are caused due to prolonged trauma. See the Vocal Health section for more information.
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O
Occlusion:
n
Phonetics: The complete closure of the vocal tract at some point, as in the closure prior to the articulation of a plosive.
Oesophagus: (iːˈsɒfəɡəs)
n
The part of the alimentary canal between the pharynx & the stomach. Also known as the gullet.
Offset: (ôf'sět')
n
1.The ending of something.
2. Phonetics. The end of a set of vocal fold vibrations.
3. Phonetics. Glottal Offset - The end of a cycle of vocal fold vibrations caused by closing the vocal folds & stopping both sound & the flow of air from the lungs.
Onset: (ˈɒnˌsɛt)
n
1. The beginning of something.
2. Phonetics. The beginning of a cycle of vocal fold vibrations.
3. Phonetics. Glottal Onset - The beginning of a cycle of vocal fold vibrations caused by holding the vocal folds together prior to making sound & the releasing the closure into immediate sound.
Oral: (ˈɔːrəl)
adj
Of or relating to the mouth or oral cavity.
Oral Stereognosis:
The ability to change the natural pronunciation of both vowels & consonants to affect a change in accent. Often known by actors as 'a good ear for accents'.
Oropharynx: (ôr'ō-fār'ĭngks)
n.
The pharynx between the soft palate & the epiglottis.
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P
Pharynx: (ˈfærɪŋks)
n
The part of the alimentary canal between the mouth & the oesophagus.
Pharyngeal: (ˌfærɪnˈdʒiːəl)
adj
Of or relating to the pharynx.
Phonate: (fəʊˈneɪt)
vb.
To articulate speech sounds, esp. to cause the vocal folds to vibrate in the execution of a voiced speech sound. In other words, to create spoken sound.
Phoneme: (ˈfəʊniːm)
n
Linguistics. One of the set of speech sounds in any given language that serve to distinguish one word from another. A phoneme may consist of several phonetically distinct articulations, which are regarded as identical by native speakers, since one articulation may be substituted without any change of meaning. Thus /p/ & /b/ are separate phonemes in English because they distinguish such words as pet & bet, whereas the light & dark /l/ sounds in little are not separate phonemes since they may be transposed without changing meaning.
Phonetics: (fəˈnɛtɪks)
n
The science concerned with the study of speech processes, including the production, perception & analysis of speech sounds from both an acoustic & a physiological point of view. Click here for a key to British RP Phonetic Symbols.
Pitch: (pɪtʃ)
vb (Music)
1. The auditory property of a note that is conditioned by its frequency relative to other notes: high pitch; low pitch.
2. An absolute frequency assigned to a specific note, fixing the relative frequencies of all other notes. The fundamental frequencies of the note A-G, in accordance with the frequency A = 440 hertz, were internationally standardised & accepted in 1939.
Plosive: (ˈpləʊsɪv)
n
Phonetics: a consonant sound characterized by the momentary blocking (occlusion) of some part of the oral cavity.
Projection: (prəˈdʒɛkʃən)
n
The act of producing a focused & relatively loud vocal sound.
Pulmonary: (ˈpʌlmənərɪ)
adj
1. Of or relating to the lungs.
2. Having lungs or lunglike organs.
Pulmonary Cavity:
n
Of or relating to the area in the thorax that houses the lungs.
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Q
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R
Received Pronunciation (RP): (rɪˈsiːvd prəˌnʌnsɪˈeɪʃən)
n
the pronunciation of British English considered to have the widest geographical distribution & the fewest regional peculiarities, originally the pronunciation of educated speakers in southern England & traditionally that used in the public schools & at Oxford & Cambridge universities, adopted by many speakers elsewhere in England & widely used in broadcasting.
Respiration: (ˌrɛspəˈreɪʃən)
n
1. the process in living organisms of taking in oxygen from the surroundings & giving out carbon dioxide (external respiration). In terrestrial animals this is effected by breathing air.
2. the chemical breakdown of complex organic substances, such as carbohydrates and fats, that takes place in the cells and tissues of animals & plants, during which energy is released & carbon dioxide produced (internal respiration).
Rhetoric: (ˈrɛtərɪk)
n
1. The study of the technique of using language effectively.
2. The art of using speech to persuade, influence, or please; oratory.
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S
Sing: (sɪŋ)
vb
1. To produce or articulate (sounds, words, a song, etc) with definite & usually specific musical intonation.
2. To perform (a song) to accompaniment
3. To tell a story or tale in song
Singing adj, n.
Soft Palate:
n
See Velum.
Speech: (spiːtʃ)
n
1. The act or faculty of speaking, esp. as possessed by persons.
2. That which is spoken; utterance.
3. A talk or address delivered to an audience.
4. A person's characteristic manner of speaking.
5. A national or regional language or dialect.
Stagefright:
See Glossophobia or click here.
Syllable: (ˈsɪləb ə l)
n
A combination or set of one or more units of sound in a language that must consist of a sonorous element (a consonant or vowel) & may or may not contain less sonorous elements (consonants or semivowels) flanking it on either or both sides: for example "paper" has two syllables.
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T
TemperVox: n
Temper (ˈtɛmpə) Verb
- To make more temperate, acceptable or suitable by adding something else; moderate: he tempered his criticism with kindly sympathy
- To strengthen or toughen
- Music
- To adjust the frequency differences between the notes of a scale in order to allow modulation into other keys.
- To make such an adjustment into the pitches of notes.
- A rare word for adapt.
- An archaic word for mix.
Vox (vɒks) Noun
- Voice
- Found in Act V, Scene I of Twelfth Night. Feste says to Olivia. “You must allow vox”
Temporal Bone:
n
Either of two compound bones forming part of the sides & base of the skull: they surround the organs of hearing & are also the point at which the jaw is joined to the skull by the temporal mandible joint (TMJ)
Thorax: (ˈθɔːræks)
n
The part of the human body enclosed by the ribs.
Thyroid Cartilage:
n
A major component of the larynx. The front of which protrudes from the front of the neck & the protrusion is often referred to as the 'Adam's Apple' in adult males.
Timbre: (ˈtɪmbə, ˈtæmbə, French tɛ̃brə)
n
1. Phonetics - the distinctive tone quality differentiating one vowel or sonant from another.
2. Music - tone colour or quality of sound, especially a specific type of tone colour.
TMJ - Temporal Mandible Joint:
n
The joint that connects your lower jaw to your skull. The TMJ can be found by placing your fingers just in front of the ears & opening & closing the mouth.
Tone: (təʊn)
n
1. Sound with reference to quality, pitch or volume.
2. Linguistics - any of the pitch levels or pitch contours at which a syllable may be pronounced, such as high tone, falling tone etc.
3. The quality or character of a sounds: a nervous tone of voice
Also see Timbre
Trachea: (trəˈkiːə)
n
Anatomy. Also known as the windpipe. The membranous tube with cartilaginous rings that conveys inhaled air from the larynx to the bronchi.
Tracheal Pull:
n
The effect (researched by Johan Sundberg) of taking a very deep & 'low pitch' breath on lowering of the position of the larynx. Causing a 'pull' on the larynx & making sound production less efficient.
True Vocal Folds:
n
Found within the larynx. Used for vocal production. The folds vibrate together when air is passed between them to create voice/voiced sound.
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U
Uvula: (ˈjuːvjʊlə)
n , pl -las , -lae
A small fleshy finger-like flap of tissue that hangs in the back of the throat & is an extension of the soft palate.
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V
Velum: (ˈviːləm)
n
The posterior fleshy portion of the roof of the mouth. It forms a movable muscular flap that seals off the nasopharynx during swallowing & speech.
Vocal: (ˈvəʊk ə l)
adj.
1. Of, relating to, or designed for the voice.
2. Produced or delivered by the voice.
3. Connected with an attribute or the production of the voice.
Vocal Cords:
See Vocal Folds.
Vocal Folds:
n
Either of two pairs of mucomembranous folds in the larynx. The upper pair (False Vocal Folds) are not concerned with vocal production; the lower pair (True Vocal Folds) can be made to vibrate & produce sound when they are engaged whilst air from the lungs is passed between them (Glottis).
Voice: (vɔɪs)
n.
1. The sound made by the vibration of the vocal folds, esp. when modified by the resonant effect of the pharyngeal (Pharynx), oral and/or nasal tracts & the articulators.
2. The natural and distinctive tone of the speech sounds characteristic of a particluar person.
3. The ability to speak, sing etc.
4. Phonetics. The sound characterising the articulation of several speech sounds, including all vowels or consonants, that is produced when the vocal folds make loose contact with each other & are set in vibration by the breath as it passes between them, through the glottis.
5. To articulate (a speech sound) with voice.
6. A means of expressing your innermost thoughts & feelings.
Voicebox:
n
See Larynx.
Vowel: (ˈvaʊəl)
n
Phonetics: a voiced speech sound whose articulation is characterized by the absence of friction-causing obstruction in the vocal tract, allowing the breath stream free passage. The timbre of a vowel is chiefly determined by the position of the tongue & the lips.
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W
Windpipe:
See Trachea.
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X
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Y
Yawn: (jɔːn)
n
The act of opening the mouth widely, whilst taking a deep inhalation of breath, often as an involuntary reaction to tiredness, sleepiness or boredom. It has frequently been used as an exercise in singing & is associated with 'opening the throat' for in order to aquire more pharyngeal space (however it can also induce tracheal pull which is counter to effective vocal production).
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Z
Zzz:
vb
Sleep & rest is essential to healthy & effective vocal production.
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© TemperVox Ltd - April 2011
