Formant refers to a concentration of acoustic energy in the frequency spectrum of a sound. In the context of speech and singing, formants are resonant frequencies produced by the vocal tract when producing vowels and some consonants. Each vowel has its characteristic formant pattern, which distinguishes it from other vowels. By adjusting the shape and size of the vocal tract, speakers and singers can modify the formants and produce different vowels.
Want to keep exploring? Head back to the Lexicon homepage to browse all terms.
