Sassi, Stacey L.. Effects of vocal registration training on the vocal range and perceived comfort of the adolescent male singer. Retrieved from https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T38052R5
DescriptionThe purpose of this study was to investigate adolescent male vocal registers and repertoire selection for middle school choirs. Subjects included seventh and eighth grade boys (N = 48) enrolled in elective mixed choirs at a single middle school in Northern New Jersey. The study was designed to determine (a) the vocal range of subjects before and after vocal registration training, (b) the perceived comfort level of subjects before and after vocal registration training, and (c) the preferences of subjects toward 3-part and SATB arrangements.
Data were collected on the dependent variables of (a) lowest pitch sung, (b) highest pitch sung, and (c) total range sung. Subjects sang 3-part (Treatment 1) and SATB (Treatment 2) choral literature and rated the comfort of each. A concluding attitudinal survey was used to investigate attitudes regarding 3-part mixed and SATB repertoire.
Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a significant increase in total range (p < .001). A significant difference in the lowest pitch was observed (p < .05) in addition to a significant difference in highest pitch (p < .001). No significant differences were found between the two treatment periods on a measure of vocal comfort. Survey responses revealed a significant preference toward SATB music (p < .001).
Results replicated Emge (1996), suggesting that seventh and eighth grade boys are capable of singing a wider range than commonly thought possible. Subjects sang both 3 and 4-part arrangements with a general sense of vocal comfort.