The spectrogram of the human voice reveals its rich harmonic content.

The human voice consists of sound made by a human being using the vocal folds for talking, singing, laughing, crying, screaming, etc. Its frequency ranges from about 60 to 7000 Hz. The human voice is specifically that part of human sound production in which the vocal folds (vocal cords) are the primary sound source. Generally speaking, the mechanism for generating the human voice can be subdivided into three parts; the lungs, the vocal folds within the larynx, and the articulators. The lung (the pump) must produce adequate airflow and air pressure to vibrate vocal folds (this air pressure is the fuel of the voice). The vocal folds (vocal cords) are a vibrating valve that chops up the airflow from the lungs into audible pulses that form the laryngeal sound source. The muscles of the larynx adjust the length and tension of the vocal folds to ‘fine tune’ pitch and tone. The articulators (the parts of the vocal tract above the larynx consisting of tongue, palate, cheek, lips, etc.) articulate and filter the sound emanating from the larynx and to some degree can interact with the laryngeal airflow to strengthen it or weaken it as a sound source.

The vocal folds, in combination with the articulators, are capable of producing highly intricate arrays of sound.^[1][2][3] The tone of voice may be modulated to suggest emotions such as anger, surprise, or happiness.^[4][5] Singers use the human voice as an instrument for creating music.^[6]

Voice types and the folds (cords) themselves[link]

A labeled anatomical diagram of the vocal folds or cords.

Adult men and women have different sizes of vocal fold; reflecting the male-female differences in larynx size. Adult male voices are usually lower-pitched and have larger folds. The male vocal folds (which would be measured vertically in the opposite diagram), are between 17 mm and 25 mm in length.^[7] The female vocal folds are between 12.5 mm and 17.5 mm in length.

As seen in the illustration, the folds are located just above the vertebrate trachea (the windpipe, which travels from the lungs). Food and drink do not pass through the cords but instead pass through the esophagus, an unlinked tube. Both tubes are separated by the epiglottis, a "flap" that covers the opening of the trachea while swallowing.

The folds in both sexes are within the larynx. They are attached at the back (side nearest the spinal cord) to the arytenoids cartilages, and at the front (side under the chin) to the thyroid cartilage. They have no outer edge as they blend into the side of the breathing tube (the illustration is out of date and does not show this well) while their inner edges or "margins" are free to vibrate (the hole). They have a three layer construction of an epithelium, vocal ligament, then muscle (vocalis muscle), which can shorten and bulge the folds. They are flat triangular bands and are pearly white in color. Above both sides of the vocal cord is the vestibular fold or false vocal cord, which has a small sac between its two folds (not illustrated).

The difference in vocal folds size between men and women means that they have differently pitched voices. Additionally, genetics also causes variances amongst the same sex, with men and women's singing voices being categorized into types. For example, among men, there are bass, baritone, tenor and countertenor (ranging from E2 to even F6), and among women, contralto, mezzo-soprano and soprano (ranging from F3 to C6). There are additional categories for operatic voices, see voice type. This is not the only source of difference between male and female voice. Men, generally speaking, have a larger vocal tract, which essentially gives the resultant voice a lower-sounding timbre. This is mostly independent of the vocal folds themselves.

Voice modulation in spoken language[link]

Human spoken language makes use of the ability of almost all persons in a given society to dynamically modulate certain parameters of the laryngeal voice source in a consistent manner. The most important communicative, or phonetic, parameters are the voice pitch (determined by the vibratory frequency of the vocal folds) and the degree of separation of the vocal folds, referred to as vocal fold adduction (coming together) or abduction (separating).^[8]

The ability to vary the ab/adduction of the vocal folds quickly has a strong genetic component, since vocal fold adduction has a life-preserving function in keeping food from passing into the lungs, in addition to the covering action of the epiglottis. Consequently, the muscles that control this action are among the fastest in the body.^[8] Children can learn to use this action consistently during speech at an early age, as they learn to speak the difference between utterances such as "apa" (having an abductory-adductory gesture for the p) as "aba" (having no abductory-adductory gesture).^[8] Surprisingly enough, they can learn to do this well before the age of two by listening only to the voices of adults around them who have voices much different from their own, and even though the laryngeal movements causing these phonetic differentiations are deep in the throat and not visible to them.

If an abductory movement or adductory movement is strong enough, the vibrations of the vocal folds will stop (or not start). If the gesture is abductory and is part of a speech sound, the sound will be called Voiceless. However, voiceless speech sounds are sometimes better identified as containing an abductory gesture, even if the gesture was not strong enough to stop the vocal folds from vibrating. This anomalous feature of voiceless speech sounds is better understood if it is realized that it is the change in the spectral qualities of the voice as abduction proceeds that is the primary acoustic attribute that the listener attends to when identifying a voiceless speech sound, and not simply the presence or absence of voice (periodic energy).^[9]

An adductory gesture is also identified by the change in voice spectral energy it produces. Thus, a speech sound having an adductory gesture may be referred to as a "glottal stop" even if the vocal fold vibrations do not entirely stop.^[9] for an example illustrating this, obtained by using the inverse filtering of oral airflow.]

Other aspects of the voice, such as variations in the regularity of vibration, are also used for communication, and are important for the trained voice user to master, but are more rarely used in the formal phonetic code of a spoken language.

Physiology and vocal timbre[link]

The sound of each individual's voice is entirely unique not only because of the actual shape and size of an individual's vocal cords but also due to the size and shape of the rest of that person's body, especially the vocal tract, and the manner in which the speech sounds are habitually formed and articulated. (It is this latter aspect of the sound of the voice that can be mimicked by skilled performers.) Humans have vocal folds that can loosen, tighten, or change their thickness, and over which breath can be transferred at varying pressures. The shape of chest and neck, the position of the tongue, and the tightness of otherwise unrelated muscles can be altered. Any one of these actions results in a change in pitch, volume, timbre, or tone of the sound produced. Sound also resonates within different parts of the body, and an individual's size and bone structure can affect somewhat the sound produced by an individual.

Singers can also learn to project sound in certain ways so that it resonates better within their vocal tract. This is known as vocal resonation. Another major influence on vocal sound and production is the function of the larynx, which people can manipulate in different ways to produce different sounds. These different kinds of laryngeal function are described as different kinds of vocal registers.^[10] The primary method for singers to accomplish this is through the use of the Singer's Formant, which has been shown to be a resonance added to the normal resonances of the vocal tract above the frequency range of most instruments and so enables the singer's voice to carry better over musical accompaniment.^[11][12]

Vocal registration[link]

Vocal registration refers to the system of vocal registers within the human voice. A register in the human voice is a particular series of tones, produced in the same vibratory pattern of the vocal folds, and possessing the same quality. Registers originate in laryngeal functioning. They occur because the vocal folds are capable of producing several different vibratory patterns. Each of these vibratory patterns appears within a particular Vocal range range of pitches and produces certain characteristic sounds.^[13] the term register can be somewhat confusing as it encompasses several aspects of the human voice. The term register can be used to refer to any of the following:^[14]

• A particular part of the vocal range such as the upper, middle, or lower registers.
• A resonance area such as chest voice or head voice.
• A phonatory process.
• A certain vocal timbre.
• A region of the voice that is defined or delimited by vocal breaks.
• A subset of a language used for a particular purpose or in a particular social setting.

In linguistics, a register language is a language that combines tone and vowel phonation into a single phonological system.

Within speech pathology the term vocal register has three constituent elements: a certain vibratory pattern of the vocal folds, a certain series of pitches, and a certain type of sound. Speech pathologists identify four vocal registers based on the physiology of laryngeal function: the vocal fry register, the modal register, and the falsetto register, and the whistle register. This view is also adopted by many vocal pedagogists.^[14]

Vocal resonation[link]

Vocal resonation is the process by which the basic product of phonation is enhanced in timbre and/or intensity by the air-filled cavities through which it passes on its way to the outside air. Various terms related to the resonation process include amplification, enrichment, enlargement, improvement, intensification, and prolongation; although in strictly scientific usage acoustic authorities would question most of them. The main point to be drawn from these terms by a singer or speaker is that the end result of resonation is, or should be, to make a better sound.^[14] There are seven areas that may be listed as possible vocal resonators. In sequence from the lowest within the body to the highest, these areas are the chest, the tracheal tree, the larynx itself, the pharynx, the oral cavity, the nasal cavity, and the sinuses.^[15]

Influences of the human voice[link]

The twelve-tone musical scale, upon which some of the music in the world is based, may have its roots in the sound of the human voice during the course of evolution, according to a study published by the New Scientist. Analysis of recorded speech samples found peaks in acoustic energy that mirrored the distances between notes in the twelve-tone scale.^[16]

Voice disorders[link]

There are many disorders that affect the human voice; these include speech impediments, and growths and lesions on the vocal folds. Talking improperly for long periods of time causes vocal loading, which is stress inflicted on the speech organs. When vocal injury is done, often an ENT specialist may be able to help, but the best treatment is the prevention of injuries through good vocal production.^[17] Voice therapy is generally delivered by a speech-language pathologist.

Vocal Cord Nodules and Polyps[link]

Vocal nodules are caused over time by repeated abuse of the vocal cords which results in soft, swollen spots on each vocal cord. These spots develop into harder, callous-like growths called nodules. The longer the abuse occurs the larger and stiffer the nodules will become. Most polyps are larger than nodules and may be called by other names, such as polypoid degeneration or Reinke's edema. Polyps are caused by a single occurrence and may require surgical removal. Irritation after the removal may then lead to nodules if additional irritation persists. Speech-language therapy teaches the patient how to eliminate the irritations permanently through habit changes and vocal hygiene. Hoarseness or breathiness that lasts for more than two weeks is a common symptom of an underlying voice disorder such as nodes or polyps and should be investigated medically.^[18]

See also[link]

References[link]

Further reading[link]

• Howard, D.M., and Murphy, D.T.M. (2009). [1] Voice science acoustics and recording, San Diego: Plural Press.
• Titze, I. R. (2008). The human instrument. Sci.Am. 298 (1):94–101. [2]
• Thurman, Leon & Welch, ed., Graham (2000), Bodymind & voice: Foundations of voice education (revised ed.), Collegeville, Minnesota: The VoiceCare Network et al., ISBN 0-87414-123-0

External links[link]

Look up voice or vocal in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Voice

Wikibooks has a book on the topic of singing

• Free Voice analyzer and Biometrics displaying software from University College London
• The Head Voice and Other Problems, 1917, by D. A. Clippinger, from Project Gutenberg
• The Voice Foundation's official website
• The Anatomy of Singing
• David Harper, vocal coach: A passion for the voice that never wanes – Opera~Opera article
• Irish Voice festival official website
• How the voice works-- The Voice Works Like a Car
• Voice acoustics: an introduction from the University of New South Wales

Jessica Hammond is a singer songwriter. Jessica is the winner of the 2010 Northern Ireland Belfast CityBeat competition Young Star Search developed by Stuart Robinson (now Cool FM) . Before winning Young Star Search, Jessica Hammond has been a finalist^[1] on the Disney Channel UK talent search My Camp Rock in April 2009.^[2] She is from Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.^[3][4][5]

Jessica Hammond fought off competition from thousands of hopefuls to secure her place in the contest, along with 7 other acts. The show aims to find a young music star aged 8 to 16. She sang Here I Am from the Camp Rock soundtrack at the Camp Jam, Gary Lloyd, Zoe Tyler and R&B star Craig David sat on the judging panel responsible for whittling the finalists down from eight to four, along with the head of Walt Disney Records in Europe, who released the winning track. The Final Jam aired on April 24, 2009.^[6] Jessica Hammond has written songs, Try Again, No Doubt, My Boyfriend , Star and Cheater which is just about to received Radio play on Citybeat Radio. YouTube.^[6]

She is currently studying at Ashfield Girls' School.^[6]

By age six she was singing, by age 10 Jessica had completed vocalist grades 1,2 and 3 with the British School of Music and by twelve she was playing the guitar. She began playing the saxophone and drums about a year ago "just for fun".^[6] She described her music style as rock-pop.^[6]

In 2012, Jessica auditioned for the first UK series of The Voice, and progressed to the Battle Rounds as part of Jessie J's team, but was eliminated in the Battle Rounds after losing to Vince Kidd.

References[link]

External Links[link]

Official Website

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Cassadee Pope
Background information
Birth name	Cassadee Blake Pope
Born	(1989-08-28) August 28, 1989 (age 22) West Palm Beach, Florida, United States
Genres	Pop punk,[1] pop rock, power pop
Occupations	Singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, violin, drums
Years active	2008–present
Associated acts	Hey Monday, Stephen Jerzak
Website	Official Website
Notable instruments
Fender Electric and Acoustic Guitar

Cassadee Blake Pope (born August 28, 1989) is an American singer-songwriter and musician and the lead vocalist of the pop punk band Hey Monday. With the band she has released a studio album, Hold on Tight and three extended plays. She went solo after Hey Monday's hiatus which was announced in December 2011, but reassured fans that the band was not "broken up." In early 2012 she played her first acoustic solo tour.

Biography[link]

In 2004, Pope started singing in local bands. She began as a singer in the award-winning St. Ann School Jazz Band while in middle school in West Palm Beach. While in high school in Wellington, Florida, Pope formed the band Blake (titled after her middle name) with good friend Mike Gentile. The project disbanded before being signed. In 2008, she and Gentile then, with Alex Lipshaw, Michael "Jersey" Moriarty, and Elliot James, founded the pop punk band Hey Monday. At the end of 2009, Pope confirmed via her Twitter that Elliot James had departed the band. She appeared in Fall Out Boy's video for "America's Suitehearts", from their 2008 album Folie à Deux. In the video, Pope plays a girl wearing large glasses talking by the telephone who is then kidnapped. She also provided guest vocals for The Cab's remix version of their song "Take My Hand" that appeared on Fall Out Boy's mixtape, Welcome to the New Administration, and appeared in the music video for it the following summer of 2009. On October 7, 2008, Hey Monday released their first studio album, Hold on Tight. Pope wrote two songs and co-wrote the other nine songs. She had a guest appearance as herself in the Degrassi: The Next Generation TV Movie, Degrassi Goes Hollywood, along with Pete Wentz. With Hey Monday being sponsored by clothing company Glamour Kills, Pope has subsequently modelled for their online store. On March 15, 2010, Pope announced via her Twitter that she had finished recording vocals for Hey Monday's EP Beneath It All, and that it was to be released on August 17, 2010. She also makes a brief appearance in All Time Low's CD/DVD, Straight to DVD, released in May 2010. Cassadee along with her bandmates as well as band members of Stereo Skyline appeared on an episode of MTV's Silent Library. She has performed guest vocals live for We the Kings's song We'll Be a Dream replacing Demi Lovato (original vocals on the song) as well as live vocals for The Academy Is..., All Time Low, Attack Attack!, The Cab, Cobra Starship, Fall Out Boy, This Providence, and I See Stars. The Christmas EP was released on December 6, 2011. It was followed later that month by an announcement that Hey Monday have taken an indefinite hiatus on good terms, while the band members pursue individual side projects, with Pope going solo. In early 2012, she will be embarking on a solo acoustic tour on the west and east coasts of the United States.^[2][3] Pope has been dating Rian Dawson, the drummer of All Time Low since December, 2009.

She's currently writing and recording new songs for an Ep. The following songs have been confirmed and performed on her solo acoustic tour: "My Best Friend Hates You", "I Told You So", "Lunatic", "I Guess We're Cool", "Secondhand Love", and "Proved You Wrong". Cassadee's self-titled Ep will be released on May 22nd 2012. ^[4]

She released her debut self titled EP on May 22nd, 2012.

Tattoos[link]

She has a smiley face on her hand because “The smiley face was from when we showcased for Columbia and it was on my great grandpa’s birthday. And I used to call him ‘pappy’, but when I was really young I couldn’t say ‘pappy’ I called him ‘happy.’ And we ended up getting signed, so I know he’s looking after us.”

She also has sheet music coming out of a birds mouth, because she loves music and birds. She then got another bird & ribbon tattoo on the other side of her arm. This tattoo, however, has the letters BND on it, because Hey Monday opened for Fall Out Boy on the “Believers Never Die Tour Part Deux” tour. She then got a branch connecting the 2 birds and recently got clouds and a background for her birds.^[5]

Tours[link]

Tour name	Participating bands	Continent	Participating from - to
Solo Acoustic Tour	Cassadee Pope, Stephen Jerzak, Justin Young, Darling Parade, It Boys	North America	January 27 - February 24, 2012

Discography[link]

Hey Monday[link]

Solo[link]

Guest Appearances[link]

Albums[link]

Live[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Hey Monday

• Official Website
• MTV Profile
• Hey Monday on Myspace
• Youtube Channel
• Tumblr.com
• Interview with Hey Monday on Shockhound.com
• Interview with Bombshellzine.com
• ChangeTheRecord.net interview with Cassadee Pope
• [1]

Discography[link]

Melanie Martinez (born 1972) is a television and stage actress. She is most famous for playing Melanie, host of the Good Night Show, on PBS KIDS Sprout from 2005 to 2006.

In 1994, she graduated from the Tisch School of the Arts.

Past theater work includes roles in Caesar and Cleopatra^[1] at Cocteau Repertory and in a verse play, The Death of Don Flagrante Delicto,^[2] written by Kirk Wood Bromley.

"Technical Virgin" video controversy[link]

In the summer of 2000, Martinez was cast to play the role of a student in two 30-second videos, I Have a Future (filmed in July 2000) and Boys Can Wait (filmed in February 2001). Both short films spoofed abstinence-only public service announcements. The former espoused the virtues of anal sex, while the latter promoted vibrators. The political spoofs were directed by David Mack and produced by John Ordover, and were hosted on the website TechnicalVirgin.com. In July 2006, PBS KIDS Sprout terminated Martinez as host of the Good Night Show when it learned of these videos, which it deemed "inappropriate for her role as a preschool host."

In his columns on July 26 and August 3 on the PBS website, PBS ombudsman Michael Getler criticized the decision, writing that "it would have been a greater bow to freedom of expression and against guilt by association for the program and PBS to stick by her", and “It struck me as ironic that at the very time PBS is fighting against new Federal Communications Commission rulings about indecency that the network argues will inhibit documentary filmmakers and freedom of speech, it delivers a subjective punishment to a popular performer for something done seven years ago that was clearly a spoof”.^[3][4] PBS President Paula Kerger—who has upheld the right of World War II veterans to use foul language when recounting their stories for PBS regardless of the FCC's stance on indecency ^[5] -- defended the decision at the semi-annual press tour in Pasadena saying that "What we are looking for in the host of Sprout is someone that is really representative of PBS and Sesame and kids' entertainment. She's not an actress--she really is supposed to embody the service itself."^[6]

In an August 5, 2006 article on the front page of the Arts Section of The New York Times, Martinez says: "I've done lots of roles and worn many costumes. I did not think a spoof P.S.A. would come up like this again." ^[7]

In an October 7, 2006 interview for feministing.com, Martinez says "Nothing has changed the way I feel about the videos. I think they are hilarious and still a relevant parody on what the kids are taught in school today. The decision to be in the videos was made by a socially aware adult married actress, albeit a comedic one! Not as a “mistake” or a “poor decision made in college which should now be forgiven.” Definitely not a “skeleton in my closet”! It’s always been listed on my resume. I wanted to act in them because it was a funny smart parody of the abstinence-only teaching in schools that I am against. Not abstinence per se, but the popular federally funded abstinence-only curriculum. Children deserve to be taught a responsible comprehensive sex education curriculum. The spoofs were a way to get people to realize how absurd the notion is, particularly back when the video was made, the Not Me Not Now group. They base their teachings on scare tactics. And what about alternative lifestyles? To them, they don’t exist!"^[8]

In late 2006 it was announced that Michele Lepe was hired to be the new host of the show. Lepe has appeared in a number of movies and TV series including a short film in which she plays an undercover policewoman who poses as a prostitute. ^[9]

Books that featured Martinez's controversy are NY Times Bestseller The End of America: Letter of Warning to a Young Patriot by Naomi Wolf, Why We're Liberals A Political Handbook for Post-Bush America by Eric Alterman, Real World Media Ethics: Inside The Broadcast and Entertainment Industries by Philippe Perebinossoff.

References[link]

1. ^ Review of Caesar and Cleopatra
2. ^ Francine Russo, Sightlines: "A Final Act", The Village Voice, 8 November 2000.
3. ^ Gettler August 3, 2006
4. ^ Gettler July 26, 2006
5. ^ article on PBS
6. ^ Kerger statement
7. ^ Martinez statement
8. ^ Martinez Comment
9. ^ [1] Gettler November 10, 2006

External links[link]

• Official Site for Melanie Martinez
• IMDB Entry for Melanie Martinez (III)
• SFGate writer Mark Morford's column critical of the incident.
• Chicago Tribune article by Nara Schoenberg
• 08/03/2006 article from PBS ombudsman Michael Getler
• 08/05/2006 Philadelphia Inquirer Article
• 08/14/2006 The New York Observer article by Rebecca Dana
• I Have a Future
• Boys Can Wait

Carson Daly
Daly at Fort Irwin Military Reservation in May 2009
Born	Carson Jones Daly (1973-06-22) June 22, 1973 (age 39) Santa Monica, California
Occupation	talk show host, radio personality, television personality
Years active	1998–present
Children	Jackson James
Website
Daly at nbc.com

Carson Jones Daly (born June 22, 1973)^[1] is an American television host, radio personality, and television personality. He is the host of NBC's Last Call with Carson Daly, a late-night talk show that began airing on January 7, 2002. Before his role as host of that program, Daly was a VJ on MTV's TRL, and a DJ for the Southern California based radio station KROQ-FM. He has also hosted several notable specials including "Macy's 4th of July Spectacular" on NBC and "NBC's New Years Eve with Carson Daly". He also co-founded an independent record label named 456 Entertainment.^[2] As of 2012, he is a DJ/talk show host on KAMP-FM radio in Southern California.^[3] He is the host of the American version of The Voice, on NBC. The Voice has gone on to become one of the highest rated shows on the entire NBC network and in 2012 received the coveted timeslot premiering after the Superbowl.

Early life[link]

Daly was born in Santa Monica, California,^[1] the son of Coachella Valley TV personality Pattie Daly Caruso, and actor J. D. Daly.^[4][5] Daly attended Santa Monica High School and was a member of the school's golf team before graduating in 1991. He attended Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. He is of Irish descent^[6] and has worked with Guinness on local "Proposition 3-17" to make Saint Patrick's Day an official holiday.^[6] Carson Daly hosted MTV'S TRL from 1998-2002.

[edit] Last Call with Carson Daly

In 2002, Last Call with Carson Daly went on the air. The show was shot on the same set as Saturday Night Live.^[7] It has since taken on a rogue documentary style^{[clarification needed]} format taping shows on the road.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] The Voice

In 2011, Daly began hosting the NBC singing competition The Voice in which contestants will sing for the four coaches for a shot at a record deal. He hosted the Blind Auditions, Battles, and the live shows every Monday night.

Acting[link]

Carson Daly plays a small but pivotal role in the first episode of My Name Is Earl. While in the hospital after being hit by a car, Earl learns about karma from watching an episode of Last Call with Carson Daly where Daly claims that his success is a direct result of doing good things for other people. Earl is thus inspired by Carson Daly to turn his own life around, and sets out to make up for his many past wrongs.^[8] Carson Daly also had a small role on The Dave Chappelle Show.

456 Entertainment[link]

Carson is a founding partner with Jonathan Rifkind, Jonathan B. Davis and Bam Margera of 456 Enterprise & Entertainment which released the "Viva La Bands" compilations.^{[citation needed]}

Production[link]

Daly also has a production company, which produced his New Year's Eve special on NBC.^[7]

Personal life[link]

Daly's mother is a breast cancer survivor who was honored at Lifetime's 2004 Breast Cancer Heroes Luncheon. Daly has joined his mother in becoming a breast cancer activist.^[9]

In March 2009, Daly and his girlfriend Siri Pinter had a son named Jackson James Daly.^[10][11] Daly and Pinter are expecting their second child in September 2012.^[12]

Filmography[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Carson Daly

• Last Call with Carson Daly Official Site
• Carson Daly at the Internet Movie Database