A case study on the efficacy of ultrasound biofeedback in voice pedagogy

This paper presents a case study on the use of ultrasound as visual biofeedback in a short master class lesson for two young, tenor singers-in-training. Even in such a short period of time, the singers both exhibit subjectively improved changes in production techniques such as the movement and position of the tongue and the Low Mandible Maneuver (LMM – the downward relaxation of the singer’s posterior mandible); a technique used to increase the space in the oropharynx used as a resonance cavity which is found in most world-class opera singers. The former specifically showed expedited kinesiological and biomechanical improvements and understanding (e.g. coordination, direction and point of articulation) through the visual information of the ultrasound; an important but difficult aspect especially at the beginning of voice training. Observed measures of formant values suggest that the young singers are able to maintain recognizable vowel production while modifying their articulation technique.