Biomechanical sound production in high-pitched classical singing – the „Queen of the Night“ does not whistle

Abstract

Abstract Voice production of humans and most mammals is governed by the MyoElastic-AeroDynamic (MEAD) principle, where an air stream is modulated by self-sustaining vocal fold oscillation to generate audible air pressure fluctuations. An alternative mechanism is found in ultrasonic vocalizations of rodents, which are established by an aeroacoustic (AA) phenomenon without vibration of laryngeal tissue. Previously, some authors argued that high-pitched human vocalization is also produced by the AA principle. Here, we investigate the so-called "whistle register" voice production in nine professional female operatic sopranos. Super-high-speed videoendoscopy revealed vocal fold collision in all participants, with closed quotients from 30–73%. Computational modeling suggests a vocal fold strain of about 50%, facilitated by high subglottal pressures and increased contraction of the cricothyroid muscle. Our data suggest that high-pitched operatic soprano singing uses the MEAD mechanism. Consequently, the commonly used term “whistle register” is inappropriate for this singing style.