Everyone’s Voice has a special combination of air pressure and vibrations that create a unique sound. To understand why this is, one must know how the voice within our bodies creates sound. One must also understand the role that culture has on singing and voice, and how vocal training can bring out these cultural nuances. The psychology and muscle memory of the voice also play a big role on how well someone can sing. So while individuals may possess innate variations in vocal characteristics, suggesting that people are born with inherent differences that contribute to good singing, the development of exceptional singing abilities is mainly influenced by environmental factors, cultural exposure, and dedicated training.
The human voice is a complicated combination of air pressure, vibrations, and articulations. All these steps come together to create all types of unique sounds. “Voice is generated by airflow from the lungs. When the air from the lungs blows through the vocal folds at a high speed, the vocal folds vibrate. The vibrations lead to sounds we call voice. These sounds are shaped to form speech.”(NIH) Logically speaking, if someone had more powerful lungs, they would be able to produce a stronger sound than someone with less powerful lungs, as the lungs are the foundation for human sound. In an article written by Jessie Shiewe, she discusses the effect that weight has on the sound of one’s voice. “When you’re out of shape, catching your breath can be difficult, and having excess fat on the body can place weight on your diaphragm and chest cavity, which can affect how you sound and how often you need to pause to inhale when you speak. If you have a fleshy face, the fat surrounding your nose and your neck can also create differences in the way you sound.” The second source about how fat can change the way the voice sounds is supported by the explanation of how the voice physically works in the first source. The process of vocalizing takes place inside our bodies, so the shape of the vessel surely has an effect on the outcome, right? Think about the sound from a smartphone compared to a speaker. The body can be compared to sound in a similar way. From personal experience, I’ve noted that heavier people tend to have bigger voices. I’ve also seen small voices have small wielders. Because of the way that air is pushed from the lungs to make sound, lung size, and pressure are very relevant factors in one’s vocal sound.
In exploring the varied landscapes of vocal skill, it becomes evident that cultural influences play a pivotal role in shaping individuals into better singers. The nuances of singing extend beyond the technicalities of vocal exercises and they are deeply embedded in the fabric of cultural expression and emotional resonance. Annie Lennon delves into the cultural diversity that molds singing styles. She suggests that the tonal qualities of a singer can be inherently linked to the cultural characteristics of their environment. For instance, “[c]almer, more introverted cultures such as those in Scandinavia, may generally have a softer tone, whereas those in more extroverted environments such as in Latin America, may access emotions such as excitement, nervousness and fright more frequently, and thus have a different tone, or voice.” American cultures may result in singers accessing a unique spectrum of emotions, thereby influencing the distinctiveness of their vocal timbre (sound or tone). This cultural imprint on singing styles highlights the interconnectedness between the external environment and the vocal expression of individuals.
Zoran Milosevic offers a contrasting perspective, emphasizing the universality of foundational principles in singing. Regardless of cultural backgrounds, the fundamentals of good breathing, strong vocal support, clarity, lightness in the voice, a relaxed throat, and a healthy tone onset are presented as foundational elements. This suggests a common ground in the technical aspects of singing that transcends cultural boundaries. However, it is essential to recognize that while these technical principles provide a universal foundation, the application and interpretation of these principles may be subject to cultural nuances. Culture acts as both a mold and a canvas for singers. The foundational principles serve as the clay from which every singer begins to shape their craft, but the cultural environment acts as the “voice melting pot”, adding unique textures and hues to the final masterpiece. Singers from different cultures may share a common understanding of the technicalities, yet their interpretation, emotional depth, and tonal nuances are inherently shaped by the cultural environment in which they immerse themselves. The journey to becoming a better singer involves navigating the intricate interplay between universal technicalities and the cultural influences that shape the soul of vocal expression. A connected, wide approach to singing acknowledges the importance of foundational principles while celebrating the diversity that culture brings to the symphony of voices around the world. This approach gives a singer the “upper-hand” when it comes to different forms of vocal expression.
In the process of growing up, individuals acquire an innate tendency to constrain and constrict their vocal expression, often without conscious intent. This learned behavior serves multiple purposes, primarily revolving around the desire to connect with others and assimilate into the various roles taken on in daily life, encompassing identities such as a mother, daughter, brother, friend, or lover, as highlighted by Luana Maso. Consequently, Luana Maso emphasizes the significance of voice training as a deliberate and transformative endeavor. “Training the voice means learning to strengthen and coordinate the muscles of the larynx to achieve an even tone quality and get rid of constrictions.”(Luana Maso) In essence, this process represents a conscious effort to reclaim and refine the natural expressiveness that may have been unintentionally lost over time. Luana Maso’s insight shows how vocal expression develops and intentionally improves vocal skills, and how it is crucial for achieving naturally genuine use of voice.
Societies with access to technologies have an upper hand when it comes to learning how to efficiently use the voice. One easy demonstration of this claim is YouTube. If anyone wants to learn how to sing, and they can’t afford a voice coach, they can take a look at a generalized approach to singing from youtube videos, that teach a little bit of everything. After the pandemic, several vocal coaches started coaching on zoom. This creates another gap between those with technology, and those without. I have personal experience taking virtual voice lessons on zoom with a coach. This experience was the foundation for a lot of the vocal technique I know today. From a coach’s perspective, virtual vocal instruction “…makes you accessible to students who desire your skills, even overseas and broadens your business reach.” (Michelle Francis Cook).
Singing is a social activity. Singers often communicate a message to others with their voices. Whenever communication is actively occurring, psychology has a role in the way which the communication occurs. Psychology plays a big role in singing, especially when it comes to stage-fright. “Anxiety in the singer often causes muscle tension around the larynx.”(Kaitlyn Osborn, Dr. Roma Prindle, Mentor). It’s like when you’re scared, and your body gets a bit stiff – the same happens to singers. Singers use their voices to share messages and emotions. Just like when you tell a friend about your day, singers use their songs to express happiness, sadness, excitement, and a bunch of other feelings. It’s their way of talking without words, and we, the audience, understand them through the tunes and tones. Singing can be connected to the psychological environment that the singer was raised in. “Individuals who develop insecure attachment styles may have had traumatic experiences in childhood that may influence vocal characteristics especially in people who identify strongly with their voices like singers do.” An insecure attachment style may bring forth anxiety, which in turn can negatively affect one’s singing voice. Psychological factors like this play a key role in one’s vocal confidence, which in turn, affects vocal ability.
So, we’ve taken quite a journey exploring the world of singing, and it turns out, it’s not just about having a good voice from birth. Sure, we all have our unique sounds, but becoming an exceptional singer involves much more. Voices are like a symphony of air, vibrations, and articulations. It’s a bit like how a smartphone and a speaker make different sounds. Our bodies, especially our lungs, are the foundation for the melodies we create. Even the shape of our vessels, like the body itself, plays a part in the beautiful tunes we produce. Singing isn’t just about hitting the right notes; it’s about expressing emotions. And guess what? Culture adds unique colors to this expression. Whether it’s the calm tones of Scandinavia or the vibrant emotions of Latin America, where we come from influences how we sing. But, even though we share some singing basics globally, each culture adds its own special touch to the musical masterpiece. As we grow up, we learn to shape our voices, often without even realizing it. We take on different roles in life, and sometimes, we unintentionally hold back our natural expressiveness.
That’s where voice training comes in, as a deliberate effort to reclaim and refine our authentic voice. Luana Maso proved that this intentional training helps us connect with our true selves. Technology, like YouTube and virtual coaching on platforms like Zoom, has become a game-changer. It bridges the gap, allowing anyone with access to technology to learn the art of singing. Virtual lessons have become a global stage, connecting coaches and students from different corners of the world. It’s like having a vocal coach right in your living room, breaking down the barriers to learning. Singers communicate messages and emotions through their songs, much like friends sharing stories. The psychological side of singing is real, from stage fright to the impact of our childhood experiences on our voices. It’s like a mix of nerves, emotions, and confidence, all playing a role in the beautiful song we create.
Singing ability is shaped by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, but the specific impact of each has long been scientifically unclear. Tan and colleagues addressed this gap by conducting a study with Australian twins, utilizing an online singing tool to objectively measure performance across various tasks. The researchers established a reproducible phenotypic index based on pitch and interval accuracy, revealing a moderate heritability of singing ability (h2 = 40.7%) and an equally substantial contribution from shared environmental factors (c2 = 37.1%). Childhood singing in the family home and early exposure to music emerged as significant predictors of the phenotypic index. In essence, this research demonstrates that one’s singing prowess is influenced to a significant degree by a combination of both genetic predispositions and environmental experiences (Tan et al., 2020).
Singing is a social adventure, a journey where our voices, cultures, and training techniques all blend into a unique symphony. Each of us, with our distinct backgrounds and experiences, contributes to the rich tapestry of singing. It’s not just about the melody; it’s about the story, the emotion, and the journey of discovering and expressing our true voice in this beautiful world of music.
Works Cited
“Are Voices Genetic? | Genetics and Genomics.”
Labroots, Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
Childhood Trauma…Did It Affect My Singing Voice? – a Tempo Voice Center – Fort Worth, TX. www.atempovoicecenter.com/. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
“How Does the Human Body Produce Voice and Speech?: Text Version | NIDCD.” Www.nidcd.nih.gov, 13 Mar. 2023.
Kaitlyn Osborn. “The psychology of singing: the effects of emotions on the voice. ”
Mas, Kimberly. “Why No One Sounds Exactly like You.” Vox, 28 Mar. 2023, www.vox.com/. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
Vocal Training – What It Means to Train the Voice. 3 Mar. 2020, www.luanamaso.com/vocal-training/. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
“What Are the Most Effective Ways for Vocal Coaches to Adapt to New Technology and Teaching Methods?” Www.linkedin.com, Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
“What Is “Good Singing”?” Walton Voices, www.waltonvoices.co.uk/members-blog/what-is-good-singing. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
https://www.okwhatever.org/topics/selfie/fat-people-voice (website closed)
Yeom, Daniel, et al. “Genetic Factors and Shared Environment Contribute Equally to Objective Singing Ability.” www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004222006319,
