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| author | Ian W Nadler |
| title | A Technical Analysis of Polyphonic Vocal Styles |
| abstract |
Polyphonic singing is a lesser-known vocal technique that allows singers to produce two or more pitches simultaneously; in essence, singers can harmonize with
themselves. A handful of cultures globally have independently developed polyphonic singing techniques; however, few of these techniques have been studied
scientifically. Establishing a scientific understanding of the production and perception of the polyphonic voice is the goal of this thesis. To achieve
this, the polyphonic voice will be explored using three scientific disciplines. The first will be physics, in order to evaluate the complex facets of sound,
such as the harmonic series, that make polyphonic singing possible. An anatomical and physiological study of the vocal apparatus follows, to identify not
only what structures are involved, but how the lungs, throat, and mouth all work in concert to produce these unique polyphonic voices. Third, a
neurophysiologic focus on auditory processing will examine auditory perception of the sounding polyphonic voice. Finally, with the scientific foundation
established, the explored concepts will be applied to a focal culture, in this case Tuva in central Asia, as a means to contextualize the practice of
polyphonic singing in a society. Tuvan throat singing is not only one of the most iconic polyphonic vocal styles worldwide, but in practice maintains
one of the most diversified and unique stylistic approaches to its throat-singing voices. By developing the scientific foundation, and applying these
fundamentals to a technically diverse cultural example, the hope is that one will then possesses the tools to approach the study of any polyphonic vocal
style globally.
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| school | The College of Liberal Arts, Drew University |
| degree | B.A. (2018) |
| advisor | Leslie Sprout |
| committee | Jason Bishop
Christina McKittrick |
| full text | IWNadler.pdf |
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