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If you are a beginner singer, you may have already heard of chest voice and head voice. These two terms are often used to describe the different ways of singing and the sounds you can make using different parts of your voice. In this article, we will introduce you to the differences between these two voice types so that you can better understand how to use them in your singing.
Chest voice, also known as chest mechanism or mechanism 1, is a mode of sound emission used by singers and speakers to produce low notes.
The chest voice is vocal register the lowest and most powerful of your voice. This is the voice you naturally use when you speak. To identify your chest voice, sing a low, loud note, such as a bass note or a low tone. You will notice that your voice is deeper and louder in your chest and abdomen.
In this mechanism, the length of the vocal folds remains constant while the pitch of the sound emitted is modulated by the tension of the thyroarytenoid muscles located in each vocal fold.
When using this mechanism, the vocal folds are thick, with a contact area of several millimeters. When air is expelled from the lungs, it rises between the conjoined vocal folds, creating " puffs of air ". The frequency of air passage determines the pitch of the note produced.
The larynx also plays an important role in the production of chest voice. The larynx is a small organ located in the throat, made up of cartilage, muscle and tissue. When the thyroarytenoid muscles tense to produce the chest voice, the larynx descends slightly toward the bottom of the throat. This low position of the larynx helps give the voice a deeper sound.
It should be noted that the position of the larynx can vary depending on the range and vocal style of a singer or speaker. For example, to produce higher notes, the larynx can move up the throat.
Chest voice is the voice you use when you speak normally. It occurs when your vocal cords are thick and relaxed, producing a rich, deep sound that resonates in your chest. To sing in chest voice, you must keep good posture and work on opening your throat to allow better air circulation.
The chest mechanism is widely used by singers and speakers to produce low notes. Men often favor this mechanism, while women also use it, but not exclusively. Female viola singers are known to use it while singing.
Head voice, also known as head mechanism or mechanism 2, is a mode of sound delivery that is characterized by an increase in the length of vocal folds with pitch. This increase is made possible thanks to a forward tilt of the thyroid cartilage, commonly called Adam's apple, which is present in women but less visible.
To understand the mechanism of head voice, it is possible to observe the white “filament” starting from the arytenoid, a tricorn-shaped structure located in the throat, and which attaches to the anterior part of the apple of the head. 'Adam. When it tilts forward, the filament lengthens.
As a result, the vocal folds are longer and thinner, changing their abutment area to look more like a fine line rather than a contact surface. When the vocal cords open slightly, “puffs” of air are emitted, which allows higher notes to be emitted.
In Europe, the head voice is mainly used by women, whether in speaking or singing. In Baroque music, we can also note the existence of a repertoire written for countertenor, a male voice using the head mechanism to reach very high notes. The famous French countertenor Philippe Jaroussky is an example of this vocal technique.
The larynx also plays an important role in head voice production. Unlike chest voice, in which the thyroarytenoid muscles tense to produce low notes, in head voice the cricothyroid muscles, located in the larynx, tense to produce higher notes.
When the cricothyroid muscles tense, the larynx rises slightly in the throat, allowing the vocal cords to lengthen and tighten, creating a higher, lighter voice. This action is known as laryngeal tilting.
The larynx tilt is an important technique for singers and speakers who need to produce high notes with a clear, easy sound. However, overuse of this technique can lead to vocal fatigue and muscle tension.
This 2/head mechanism makes it possible to emit higher pitched notes than mechanism 1. In Europe, it is used mainly by women, both in speech and in singing.
Head voice is the highest and lightest vocal register of your voice. This is the voice you use to reach high notes in your vocal range. To identify your head voice, sing a high note, such as a soprano note or a high tone. You will notice that your voice is lighter and higher in your head and throat.
Head voice, on the other hand, occurs when your vocal cords are lighter and tighter, producing a higher, brighter sound. This register is so called because the vibration of the sound seems to come from the upper part of your head. To sing in head voice, you need to focus on elevating your larynx to allow for better resonance and projection of sound.
In general, the chest voice is used to sing lower, lower notes, while the head voice is used to sing higher, higher notes. For example, if you're singing a song that has a lower melody, you'll probably want to use your chest voice. If the song has a higher melody, you'll want to use your head voice.
However, it is important to note that you should not use just one voice throughout the song. The best singers know how to alternate between the two voices to produce a variety of sounds and vocal colors. Sometimes you'll even have to use a combination of both voices to hit a particular note.
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