Interdependency between intensity and pitch in the normal speaking voice

Intensity and pitch of the normal speaking voice are to some degree connected to each other. From a physiological point of view this interdependency can be explained by the fact that, to a certain extent, the same laryngeal and respiratory forces are involved in the regulation of both parameters. Measurements in 250 normal speakers show, on the average, a spontaneous pitch rise of about 9 semitones when the vocal intensity increases with 30 dB. The rise is non-linear and most pronounced on the highest intensities. A too high pitch, e.g., really more than 9 semitones for a vocal intensity increase of 30 dB, could represent a voice misuse.