VoSci Lexicon
Singing comes with its own language—and we’re here to help you speak it.
The VoSci Lexicon is a growing glossary of terms related to singing and the voice. Whether you’re a singer, teacher, or just someone who loves learning how the voice works, this resource is designed to make complex concepts easier to understand and apply.
Use it to clarify unfamiliar terms, deepen your understanding, or revisit the foundations with fresh insight.
How to Sing with Dynamics: Mastering Loud and Soft Singing
Season 1 | Episode 8 Intro Vocal power isn’t just about turning up the dial—it’s about control, balance, and science. Let’s break it down. Welcome to The Voice Science Podcast, where we dive into the science behind all things singing and teaching. Here, you’ll learn...
Falsetto
Falsetto is a rather poorly defined singing style often associated only with male singers. Depending on who is using it, falsetto can refer to a breathy production of sound caused by incomplete closure of the vocal folds or to a thinner vocal production caused by a...
False Ribs
The false ribs are the ribs that are not directly attached to the sternum by their own costal cartilage. Instead, they are connected to the cartilage of the rib just above them, indirectly joining the sternum. There are typically five pairs of false ribs (ribs...
False Folds
The False Folds, or vestibular folds, sit above the true vocal folds. Despite many similarities, they are minimally used in normal phonation. Singers may employ them to add a level of growl or roughness to the sound. Some teachers believe that a narrowing or...
Formant 2
Formant 2 (F2) is the second formant frequency. Like Formant 1 it is created by the shape of the tongue; however, its frequency directly related to the height of the Dorsum of the Tongue. That is to say the higher the Dorsum of the Tongue the higher the frequency of...
Formant 1
Formant 1 (F1) is a frequency of increased acoustic resonance caused by the position of the Blade of the Tongue. Formant 1, in conjunction with Formant 2, is responsible for creating vowels. Despite this, formants are excited by acoustic sources and are not the source...
Fundamental Frequency
The Fundamental Frequency or F0, is more commonly referred to as pitch. The difference between the fundamental frequency and a pitch is that a pitch created by a singer or most instruments contains multiple frequencies including the fundamental frequency and...
External Intercostal Muscles
The External Intercostal Muscles aid in inhalation; when contracted, they pull the ribs up and out. They originate from the inferior of one rib and insert into the superior of the rib immediately below. The anterior rami of spinal nerves from T1-T11 innervate the...
Expiratory Reserve Volume
Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV) is the amount of air a person can forcibly exhale beyond the normal tidal volume. Expiratory Reserve Volume is used during any passage using greater volumes of air than tidal breathing and can be essential for maintaining consistent...
Singing in Tune: How Pitch Accuracy Actually Works
Season 1 | Episode 7 Intro Have you ever sat there and said, “Oh boy! I’d really love to sing this song completely out of tune today?” No? Me neither. Welcome to The Voice Science Podcast, where we dive into the science behind all things singing and teaching....
Eustachian Tube
The Eustachian tube is a narrow canal connecting the middle ear to the nasopharynx. Its function is the equalization of air pressure on both sides of the eardrum and the draining of mucus or fluids from the middle ear. This structure plays a crucial role in...
Epiglottis
The epiglottis is a flap-like cartilage structure located at the base of the tongue, near the entrance to the trachea. During swallowing, the epiglottis folds downward to cover the trachea, preventing food and liquids from entering the airway and lungs. When breathing...
Electroglottograph (EEG)
The Electroglottograph (EGG) is a device used in voice research to measure and analyze the contact and vibration patterns of the vocal folds during phonation. It consists of electrodes that are placed on the throat to detect changes in electrical conductivity as the...
Echo
An echo refers to the reflection of sound waves off surfaces back to the listener's ears. It occurs when sound waves encounter a hard, reflective surface and bounce back. The time delay between the original sound and its echo depends on the distance to the reflecting...
The Role of Breathing in Singing: Mastering the Breath
Season 1 | Episode 6 Intro There is only one way to breathe while singing – what a load of crap! Welcome to The Voice Science Podcast, where we dive into the science behind all things singing and teaching. Here, you’ll learn how the voice works and discover...
Dynamic Microphone
A dynamic microphone is a type of microphone commonly used in singing and live sound applications. It operates based on electromagnetic induction. When sound waves hit the microphone's diaphragm, it causes a coil of wire to move within a magnetic field, generating an...
Dorsum (Tongue)
The Dorsum of the Tongue is what many perceive as the middle and back of the tongue; it is the back part of the tongue that is visible in the mouth and sits above the root of the tongue. The Dorsum of the Tongue is important in the creation of vowel and consonants as...
Diaphragmatic Breathing
Diaphragmatic Breathing or Abdominal Breathing is often referred to as the “correct way to breathing” while singing and does have many benefits for certain styles of singing, like western classical. During an inhalation the abdominal muscles are allowed to relax...
Diaphragm
The Diaphragm is a thin sheet of domed muscle extending across the bottom of the thoracic cavity. It is the primary muscle for inhalation as its contraction pulls it down, creating a vacuum in the thoracic cavity which causes the lungs to expand and fill with air. The...
Decibel (dB)
Decibel (dB) measures sound intensity or the sound power per unit area on a logarithmic scale. Because of this logarithmic relationship, the overall sound pressure doubles every six decibels. Decibels were named after Alexander Graham Bell.Want to keep exploring? Head...
Cyst
Vocal Fold Cysts are fluid-filled or semisolid growths that typically form on only one vocal fold and unlike nodules can form at any point along the vocal fold. They form in the superficial lamina propria of the vocal fold, underneath the epithelium. Cysts are not...
Costal Cartilage
Costal cartilage refers to the hyaline cartilage that connects the ribs to the sternum in the human ribcage. It is essential for maintaining the structure and flexibility of the chest wall. Costal cartilage allows the ribs to move during respiration, which is crucial...
Condenser Microphone
A condenser microphone is a type of microphone that converts sound waves into electrical signals using an electrically charged diaphragm and a backplate. Condenser microphones require an external power source, typically provided through batteries or phantom power....
Cochlea
The cochlea is a spiral-shaped, fluid-filled structure located in the inner ear that is responsible for translating sound vibrations into electrical signals that the brain can interpret as sound. Sound enters the cochlea through the vibrations of the middle ear bones,...