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Nonlinear phenomena in contemporary vocal music
Jürgen Neubauer1, Michael Edgerton, Hanspeter Herzel
1Institute for Theoretical Biology, Invalidenstrasse 43, D-10115 Berlin, Germany. j.neubauer@biologie.hu-berlin.de
Summary
Vocal improvisors extensively use nonlinear dynamics, including period doubling and biphonation, in complex voice signals. These nonlinear phenomena are reproducible techniques for contemporary musical tasks.
Area of Science:
- Acoustics
- Musicology
- Nonlinear Dynamics
Background:
- Contemporary music often features complex vocalizations.
- Understanding the acoustic properties of multiphonic voice signals is crucial.
- Nonlinear dynamics offers a framework for analyzing complex sound production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze complex and multiphonic voice signals of vocal improvisors using nonlinear dynamics.
- To identify and visualize nonlinear phenomena in contemporary vocal music.
- To discuss potential production mechanisms for observed nonlinear vocal effects.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of complex voice signals within the framework of nonlinear dynamics.
- Use of narrow-band spectrograms to visualize nonlinear phenomena like spectral bifurcation diagrams.
- Examination of vocal sonorities for period doubling, biphonation, and irregular phonation.
Main Results:
- Nonlinear phenomena, including period doubling and biphonation, are extensively used by contemporary vocal improvisors.
- Glottal whistle production, biphonation, and triphonation were observed.
- Harmonics-formant matching associated with transitions to subharmonics and biphonation were identified.
Conclusions:
- Vocal improvisors reproducibly employ nonlinear phenomena for musical tasks.
- Mechanisms such as source-tract coupling and vocal fold desynchronization are likely involved.
- The study confirms the recurrent use of nonlinear dynamics in contemporary vocal performance.