A BIOFEEDBACK SYSTEM FOR SINGING TUITION OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Christopher Barlow, School of Computing and Communications, Southampton Solent University, UK; Jude Brereton, AudioLab, Department of Electronics, University of York, UK

Developments in audio technology mean voice biofeedback is possible using standard home computers. There is insufficient data on children’s voices on which to base such a system. A number of tools were assessed to provide the specification of a biofeedback system for young singers. In order to underpin such a system, the authors recorded and analysed 418 young singers from classical and theatre music backgrounds. Quantifiable, statistically significant links were found between gender, development, voice training and vocal genre. Results suggest that the measurements used could form the basis of a reliable voice pedagogy system for young voices.