The effects of articulation on the perceived loudness of the projected voice

Abstract

Arthur Lessac developed a voice training approach that concentrated on three energies: structural action, tonal action, and consonant action. In Lessac-Madsen Resonant Voice Therapy (LMRVT), speech-language pathologists help patients achieve a resonant voice through structural posturing and awareness of tonal changes. However, LMRVT many not necessarily include the third component of Lessac's approach: consonant action.This study examines the effect that increased effort on consonant production has on the speaking voice-particularly regarding vocal loudness and projection.

Methods: Audio samples were collected from eight actor participants who read a monologue using three distinct styles: normal articulation, poor articulation (elicited using a bite block), and overarticulation (elicited using a Lessac-based training intervention). Twenty graduate students of speech-language pathology listened to speech samples from the different conditions and made comparative judgments regarding articulation, loudness, and projection.

Results: Group results showed a strong correlation between the articulatory condition and the level of perceived loudness and projection. That is, as precision of articulation increased, the ratings of perceived loudness and projection increased, as well.

Conclusions: These findings indicate that articulation treatment may have a positive influence on the perception of vocal loudness and projection. This has implications for future directions in expanding voice therapy modalities.

Keywords: Actors; Articulation; Loudness; Perceptual analysis; Projection; Resonance.