The Nasal Musculature as a Control Panel for Singing-Why Classical Singers Use a Special Facial Expression?

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The Nasal Musculature as a Control Panel for Singing-Why Classical Singers Use a Special Facial Expression?

J Voice. 2018 Apr 06;:

Authors: Aura M, Geneid A, Bjørkøy K, Rantanen M, Laukkanen AM

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explain the possible reason why classical singers seem to spread their nostrils and raise their cheeks before starting to sing.
STUDY DESIGN: This is an experimental study.
METHODS: Five subjects (three classical singers, two nonsingers) were investigated with nasofiberoscopy holding their breath after inhalation. The subjects were instructed to have a neutral expression first and then to take the singers' expression characterized by nostril flaring. In case of nonsingers, the special expression was rehearsed beforehand, guided by a classical singer. The following measurements were made: (1) height of soft palate, (2) area of the hypopharynx, (3) area of the epilaryngeal tube inlet (Aditus laryngis), and (4) dimensions of the (visible) glottis (length, width, and length-to-width ratio).
RESULTS: All subjects raised the palate and widened the pharyngeal inlet, epilaryngeal inlet, and the glottis during "singer's expression."
CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that classical singers may take advantage of breathing- and smelling-related connections between nasal and facial muscles and the larynx to avoid a hard glottal attack and pressed phonation and possibly also to assist the production of mixed register (head voice), characterized by a relatively low adduction between the vocal folds.

PMID: 29631937 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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