Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026
11:15
fMRI Mapping of Brain Activity Associated with the Vocal Production of Consonant and Dissonant Intervals
Published on: May 23, 2017
A Preliminary Study Investigating the Self-Reported Effects of Amplification on Singers
Melissa Treinkman1, Jeannette LoVetri2, Vanessa Ramos3
1School of Dramatic Arts, University of Southern California.
Summary
Professional singers frequently experience hearing difficulties and vocal strain due to electronic amplification. This can lead to compensatory vocal behaviors and negative post-performance effects, impacting vocal health.
Area of Science:
- Vocal Pedagogy
- Music Performance Science
- Audiology
Background:
- Electronic amplification is common in contemporary singing.
- Its impact on singers' vocal experiences and function is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate professional singers' self-reported experiences with electronic amplification.
- To identify challenges in auditory monitoring, vocal adjustments, and post-performance outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional, survey-based study.
- Online questionnaire administered to 701 professional singers using amplification.
- Descriptive statistics analyzed demographic, performance, and outcome data.
Main Results:
- 87.6% reported difficulty hearing; 58.0% experienced sound distortion.
- 81.7% reported increased vocal effort or pushing.
- 72.9% experienced vocal fatigue; 69.0% reported performance dissatisfaction.
Conclusions:
- Amplification presents significant challenges for professional singers.
- These challenges correlate with increased vocal effort, compensatory behaviors, and negative outcomes.
- Further research is needed on amplification's impact on vocal health and performance.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Design Example: Vintage Mixing Console
A sound engineer at a music company recently encountered a problem. The output from their newly acquired studio's vintage mixing console was too low for the requirements of modern recording equipment. To rectify this situation, the engineer decided to design an audio pre-amplifier using an operational amplifier (op-amp) to boost the signal level.
The specifications for the pre-amplifier were clear. It needed to amplify the audio signal by a factor of 10, have an input impedance above 10...
The specifications for the pre-amplifier were clear. It needed to amplify the audio signal by a factor of 10, have an input impedance above 10...
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
01:24Strategies of Self-Presentation III: Self-Monitoring
Self-monitoring is a central construct in understanding individual differences in self-presentation strategies across social contexts. It refers to how individuals observe, regulate, and control their expressive behavior and self-presentation following situational cues. Self-monitoring reflects a person's sensitivity to social appropriateness and willingness to adapt behavior to fit varying interpersonal demands.High vs. Low Self-Monitoring IndividualsIndividuals high in self-monitoring are...