Dugotrajni prosječni spektar glasa profesionalnog pjevača: analiza folklornog pjevanja Istre - tarankanja
Long-term average spectra in professional singers’ voices: the analysis of tarankanje - folk singing in Istria

Summary/Abstract: The aim of the present explorative study was to acoustically examine tarankanje - a special manner of singing typical for the folk music of Istrian-Littoral region. The tarankanje performances of twelve professional male folk singers were digitally recorded and analysed using long-term average spectrum (LTAS) in the PRAAT program. In order to reveal some perceptual features as well as vocal model the singers aim to achieve when performing tarankanje, subjective (self-perceptual) analysis was carried out as well. The results of the acoustic analysis gave no evidence of existence of the resonance phenomenon known as the singer’s formant. The LTAS curve showed two broad pronounced peaks in 2-4 kHz region. The more pronounced energy in this region suggested the existence of the speaker’s or actor’s formant. For this reason, a control sample of subject speakers (N=8) was included in the investigation afterwards. The LTAS and alpha-ratio (a measure roughly representing the vocal tract tension) were calculated for both subject samples. In order to quantify the spectral energy at higher frequencies, a parameter VF as a ratio of 2-4 kHz band to that of 0-5 kHz was calculated. The results showed that the spectral slope was flatter for tarankanje in comparison to speaking, thus alpha and VF values greater suggesting higher degree of vocal pressedness. Spectral energy balance in lower frequency band (0-2 kHz) and in higher frequency band (2-4 kHz) as well as between the two bands, i.e. “whitish" sound, is the result of interaction of voice source and supralaryngeal setting, that is, pressedness and nasality. Such a spectrum shape (voice quality) is produced by imitation of the folk instrument - sopile - that are known for its piercing and nasal tone. The results of the subjective self-perceptual assessment have shown that all attributes (overall vocal effort, beauty, pleasantness, loudness, melodiousness, genderness, throat openess and tension, voice pitch) were estimated as neutral. The exception is the darkness of the voice: tarankanje was evaluated as somewhat brighter. This may be related to the results of spectral analysis, that is, to pronounced energy at higher frequencies (higher formants). The overall vocal effort employed in tarankanje has been evaluated as somewhat higher.

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