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Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Hemi-laryngeal Setup for Studying Vocal Fold Vibration in Three Dimensions
Published on: November 25, 2017
Investigation of four distinct glottal configurations in classical singing--a pilot study
Christian T Herbst1, Sten Ternström, Jan G Svec
1Department of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Science, Laboratory of Biophysics, Palacky University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic. herbst@ccrma.stanford.edu
Abstract:
This study investigates four qualities of singing voice in a classically trained baritone: "naive falsetto," "countertenor falsetto," "lyrical chest" and "full chest." Laryngeal configuration and vocal fold behavior in these qualities were studied using laryngeal videostroboscopy, videokymography, electroglottography, and sound spectrography. The data suggest that the four voice qualities were produced by independently manipulating mainly two laryngeal parameters: (1) the adduction of the arytenoid cartilages and (2) the thickening of the vocal folds. An independent control of the posterior adductory muscles versus the vocalis muscle is considered to be the physiological basis for achieving these singing voice qualities.
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