Phonational Range in the Modal and Falsetto Registers

Abstract

The phonational range of the modal and falsetto registers was determined for 35 nonsingers and eight singers. Each subject phonated the vowel /a/ at different frequencies by matching the pitch of sinusoids presented at tone and semitone levels of the equal-tempered musical scale. When the upper and lower frequency limits of each register were reached, they were recorded on tape and analyzed to determine the actual frequency. The results showed that the nonsingers produced an average phonational range of 18 semitones FL in both the modal and falsetto registers, the singers, a 23-semitone range in the modal register and a 21-semitone range in falsetto. Estimates of the phonational range in each register obtained on three separate occasions for five subjects from each group demonstrated that the ranges were stable and consistent. Singers did produce a greater number of identical frequencies within the overlap between the modal and falsetto registers than did individuals who had not received vocal training.