Discrimination of three basic female voice types in female singing students by voice range profile-derived parameters.

AIMS To assess whether individual parameters or combinations of voice range profile parameters (also called 'features') are able to yield a clear cluster separation with which three basic female voice categories can be discriminated and can provide a basis for settling the issue of voice classification. METHODS The voice range profiles of 206 female conservatory singing students were recorded, parameterized into more compact descriptions ('features'), and subjected to a cluster analysis. RESULTS The three-cluster case provided the most consistent solution across all feature combinations. The feature that led to the best cluster separation was the ratio of the perimeter length of the chest voice part of the voice range profile versus the total perimeter length. CONCLUSIONS Based on a statistical analysis of voice range profile parameters, the ratio of the perimeter length of the chest voice versus the total perimeter length was shown to yield a clear separation into three basic female voice types, which in turn may give us a basis for settling the issue of voice classification.