Regulating glottal airflow in singing: Application of the maximum power theorem
Ingo R. Titze · The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America · 2001
Two competing views of regulating glottal airflow for maximum vocal output are investigated. The maximum power transfer theorem is used as a guide. A wide epilarynx tube (laryngeal vestibule) matches well with low glottal resistance (the yawn-sigh approach), whereas a narrow epilarynx tube matches well with a higher glottal resistance (the twang-belt approach). A simulation model is used to calculate mean flows, peak flows, and oral radiated pressure ratio between the vocal tract (the load) and the glottis (the source). Results show that when the ratio approaches 1.0, maximum power is transferred and radiated from the mouth. [Work supported by NIH.]