Revista CEFAC

ISSN: 1516-1846
[email protected]
Instituto Cefac
Brasil

Cielo, Carla Aparecida; Christmann, Mara Keli

FINGER KAZOO: MODIFICAES VOCAIS ACSTICAS ESPECTROGRFICAS E
AUTOAVALIAO VOCAL
Revista CEFAC, vol. 16, nm. 4, julio-agosto, 2014, pp. 1239-1254
Instituto Cefac
So Paulo, Brasil

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1239

FINGER KAZOO: SPECTROGRAPHIC ACOUSTIC

MODIFICATIONS AND VOCAL SELF-ASSESSMENT
Finger kazoo: modificaes vocais acsticas
espectrogrficas e autoavaliao vocal
Carla Aparecida Cielo(1), Mara Keli Christmann(2)

ABSTRACT
Purpose: to correlate the spectrographic vocal modifications and self-evaluation after finger kazoo.
Methods: visual spectrographic analysis of the vowel /a:/ of 46 adult women, without vocal complaints
or laryngeal alterations and self-evaluation before (Moment 1 M1), after finger kazoo (M2) and after
five minutes of silence (M3). Kappa, Chi-square and Spearman tests. The parameter for improving
the voice was the statistical significance of the results after the finger kazoo. Results: improvement
of darkening tracing of the formant (F) and high frequencies, of tracing regularity and definition of
the harmonics. Best voice self-reported as increasing of intensity of the tracing darkening of F3,
improvement of tracing definition and number of harmonic and replacement of harmonics with noise
in medium frequencies. Conclusions: after the finger kazoo, there was an increase of darkening,
regularity and definition of the spectrographic tracing and best voice self-reported.
KEYWORDS: Voice; Phonation; Rehabilitation; Speech Acoustics

INTRODUCTION
The nonlinear theory of voice production suggests
that the vocal tract, in addition to exercising filter
function of the sound produced in the glottal source,
also acts as a modifier of the patterns of vocal fold
vibration by modifying the acoustic impedance. Thus
there is a biofeedback between filter and source,
promoting the influence of the filter on the source 1-4
Voice therapy is indicated for patients with
voice disorders at both the source and at filter
level (resonance), as for those who wish to
improve voice4-8. The semi-occluded vocal tract
exercises (SOVTE), category in which is included
the finger kazoo (FK) technique, have been widely
used as features in speech therapy and voice
Improvement2,3,9,10.

(1)

Speech therapy Department, of the Federal University of

Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

(2)

Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande

do Sul, Brazil.

Resources: CAPES/FAPERGS, CNPq.

Conflict of interest: non-existent

In these cases, the Speech therapist is the

professional that possesses the capacity to act in
the vocal rehabilitation and improvement. Because
of this, it is a must to have the anatomic and physiologic knowledge of the phonation system, besides
its acoustic, aerodynamics and correlation among
emotive estates and neurological conditions with the
voice, as well as having mastered the techniques
which comprise all the phonation process11-13.
Due to technological advances in laryngology
and the availability of modern tools for voice
assessment and the verification of the effects of
various vocal techniques, studies regarding voice
have shown a progress in an attempt to deepen their
understanding and thus increase the effectiveness
of speech-language intervention2,8,13-15. However,
some vocal techniques have not yet presented
sufficient evidence of its effects, making it critical to
perform studies like this that seeks to describe the
vocal changes after FK.
The spectrograms analysis is one way to check
the effect of vocal techniques 6,13-15. This analysis
provides data that are related to the vibratory pattern
of the vocal folds, the shape of the vocal tract
and their changes in time, and their interpretation
Rev. CEFAC. 2014 Jul-Ago; 16(4):1239-1254

1240

Cielo CA, Christmann MK

varies with age, sex, type of phonation and vocal

training 5,16,17. It becomes also important, the studies
of self-assessment of the voice of the subjects after
performing the voice techniques 2,14, which have
considered the point of view of the patient about
his voice, contributing more generally to the understanding of the effects of vocal techniques.
Thus, the present studys aim was to correlate
the spectrography acoustic vocal modifications and
the vocal self-evaluation occurred immediately after
the execution of the FK phonotherapeutic technique
and after five minutes of absolute silence in female
adults without vocal complaints and without
laryngeal disorders.

METHODS
The research was characterized for being an
analytical cross-sectional observational study
of a quantitative nature, approved by the Ethics
Committee of Research of the home institution
(016945/2010-76). Participants received the
necessary clarifications about the study and signed
the Statement of Informed Consent (IC), as recommended by the standard 196/96 of The National
Commission of Ethics in Research.
Inclusion and exclusion criteria
The target population was composed of individuals
who sought the voice sector of a clinical school of
speech-language pathologist for performing vocal
improvement during the period June 2010 to June
2011. Inclusion criteria: IC signature, females, since
the literature shows a greater number of studies
with this population 2,13,15,18-21; ages between 18 and
40 years, because it comprises an age range free
from hormonal and structural changes during the
period of vocal change or aging8,13,15,20-22; complete
glottic closure or presence of a triangular slit after
the otorhinolaryngological exam, for representing
the female laryngeal standard with no negative
impact on the voice5,23.
Exclusion criteria: vocal complaints, since this
may signal some kind of organic or functional
voice disorder5,7,8,13,15,21,23; medical diagnosis of
laryngeal disorders5,7,8,13,15,18,23; history of neurological, endocrinological, psychiatric, gastric or
respiratory diseases that could influence the
vocal performance or understanding of the orders
for the performed procedures4,5,7,8,13,15,23; reports
of hormonal changes, such as those typical of
pregnancy, menstrual or premenstrual period; being
with a flu and/or with respiratory allergies, because
they can cause vocal fold oedema13,15, or any
another disease that could limit the performance of
the FK technique implementation during the day of
Rev. CEFAC. 2014 Jul-Ago; 16(4):1239-1254

evaluations; alcoholism and smoking habits, which

are aggressive to the larynx, and can generate
laryngeal disorders2,5,8,13,15,18,21,23; have done speechlanguage and/or otorhinolaryngological therapy to
rule out the possibility that the individual had any
laryngeal disorder (even already treated) or vocal
habituation due to treatment or training, knowledge
of the studied vocal technique; hearing loss by
interfering in the voice self-monitoring5,8,13,15,20,23,24
changes in the stomatognathic system that could
interfere in the implementation of the technique or
in vocal assessment5,7,8,13,15,20; inability to perform
the FK technique; being a singer or singing in choirs
regularly (at least once a week) in order to avoid the
individual already had notions of vocal techniques
or had his voice trained13,15.
An interview was carried out covering some
inclusion and exclusion criteria. After that, the
individuals performed a visual inspection of the
larynx with an otorhinolaryngologist for the application of an exclusion criterion based on the
presence of laryngeal disorders5,7,8,13,18,23. It was
also carried out an evaluation of the stomatognathic
system and its functions, to exclude individuals
with any disorder that could jeopardize the implementation of the FK technique5,7,8,13,20, as well as a
hearing screening test, through the scanning of the
500, 1000, 2000, 4000 25 dB frequencies by air in
an acoustically treated booth (Fonix audiometer,
FA 12 Digital) 5,8,13,20,23,24.
Subjects studied
Of the 58 volunteers, in the interview, one was
excluded for being in the menstrual period on the
day of evaluations, one for being a singer, and two
for being male. During the othorrinolaringological
evaluation, one was excluded for the presence of
an oedema in the vocal folds, one for the presence
of microweb, one for the presence of a vocal fold
sulcus, and one for vocal nodules. During the
hearing screening, one was excluded for reduction
of hearing; and three were excluded because
they did not perform all stages of selection. Thus,
the sample was formed by 46 adult women, aged
between 18 and 39 years (average 23,2 years),
blinded in respect to the research objectives.
Procedures for data collection
During data collection, it was requested to each
individual, in the orthostatic position to issue the
vowel /a:/ 5,6,8,10,12,13,15-17,21,22,25,26. Emissions were
captured with a microphone (stereo condenser,
unidirectional, 96KHz, 16 bit, 50% of the input
recording level), coupled to a professional digital
recorder (Zoom, H4n), which was set on a pedestal
and positioned at 90 and positioned at a distance

Finger Kazoo technique

of four centimetres between the microphone and

the mouth12,13,15,21,22,26. Data was collected in an
acoustically treated room, with ambient noise below
50dB sound pressure level, as measured by sound
pressure meter Instrutherm, Dec-4805,6,22,26,27.
The emission of the vowel /a:/ and the technical
repetitions of FK were performed in Maximum
Phonation Time (MPT), as the MPT represents the
capacity of individual resistance of the individual
due to the interaction of breathing, phonation and
resonance levels which vary from individual to
individual3,15,21.
Thereafter, the individuals produced three series
of 15 replications of the FK technique, so that each
technique emission was done in MPT and was
considered a repetition11,13-15,21.
For the production of FK, it must produce a
breath sound, with the lips rounded and protruded,
as in the emission of /u:/, with no variation in pitch
and loudness, without inflating the cheeks, with the
tongue relaxed and lowered, while the index finger
should remain vertically positioned on the lips, with
the same gesture used to ask for silence, touching
them lightly, but without pressing them. During this
production, it should be heard a secondary sound,
as a friction, corresponding to the flow of air in
contact with the index finger 2,28.
The technique was performed with each
individual seated comfortably, without cervical dislocation, with an angle of 90 between the chin and the
neck and with no increase in muscle contraction of
the shoulder girdle and suprahyoid region, with feet
flat on the floor, back straight, keeping a constant
rhythm between one exercise and another without
making use of the expiratory reserve. Although,
they should make use of the costodiaphragmaticabdominal breathing and avoid the fluctuation or
variability of pitch and loudness. A speech therapyst
visually monitored those aspects5,7,12,13.
The technique was explained, demonstrated and
monitored by a speech therapyst (the same with all
participants), that verified if each individual presented
conditions for the implementation according to the
model, by making the necessary corrections so that
all individuals perform the technique correctly and in
a similar way2,12,14,21.
After each set of FK technique, there was a
passive rest for 30 seconds, during which the
individuals sat in complete silence5,11,13-15,21. During
the technique, performance it was allowed to ingest
250 ml of water 29, without this being considered
as an intervening variable in the results, since the
literature indicates the intake of water from two to
three hours before a vocal performance, because
the hydration occurs in a systemic way, and the
ingested water takes hours to reach the larynx 5.

1241

Immediately upon completion of the technical

series, prior to any another emission, the individuals
had the vowel /a:/ taken on the same pre-technical
conditions. Shortly they answered to an enclosed
questionnaire of self-evaluation on the global effect
of FK technique, in which they should mark on one
of three options: better voice, equal voice or
worse voice. It was considered the first emission,
prior to the technique, as a base for self-judgement
4,30,31
. After five minutes after the execution of the
FK technique, during which the individual remained
seated and in complete silence the individuals had
the vowel /a:/ taken on the same pre-technical
conditions /a:/ and the same questionnaire was
completed2,32.
Procedures for the analysis of collected data
For the acoustic analysis of voice, it was eliminated the vocal attack from the vowel /a:/ and the
end of utterance for those excerpts not to alter the
signal analysis, since the end of extended emissions
typically show amplitude and frequency decreases.
From this edition, it was standardized the interval
of four seconds for the analysis window (corresponding to the shortest edited time of all vowel
supports done by the group) 2,5,13,15-17,25.
For the spectographies, it was used the Real
Time Spectrogram program from Kay Pentax,
installed in a computer that was adequated to all
manufacturers specifications in a bandwidth filter
of 100 points (646,00Hz) and in a narrowband filter
of 1024 points (63,09Hz), with a sampling rate of
11KHz e 16bits in the resolution of 5KHz, and the
results were compared with the literature6,13,14,33,34.
In the bandwidth spectrography (SBW), the
formants (F) were visually classified according to
the following aspects: the tracing darkening of the F
(F1, F2, F3 and F4); tracing darkening of the highfrequency tracing; tracing darkening all over the
voice spectrogram; presence of noise all over the
voice spectrogram, as well as in high, medium and
low frequencies, F bandwidth; tracing definition of F;
tracing regularity6,8,13-15,26,33,35.
In the narrowband spectrography SNB, there
were considered the following aspects visually
classified: stroke color in high frequencies, the stroke
color all over the voice spectrogram, the presence
of noise between the harmonics all over the voice
spectrogram, as well as in high, medium and low
frequencies, replacement of harmonics with noise all
over the voice spectrogram as well as in high, medium
and low frequencies, tracing definition of harmonics,
tracing regularity, presence of sub-harmonics, and
number of harmonics6,8,13-15,26,33,35.
In the evaluation of stroke color of (of F, in high
frequencies and all over the spectrogram) it was
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Cielo CA, Christmann MK

considered the level of stroke color, which can vary

from black (strong stroke color) to pale grey (weak
stroke color)6 and could be classified into more
intense (improvement), less intense (worsening)
or no change. The noise is presented in the
spectrogram as a shaded or dotted image, according
to the degree of darkening of the shading / dithering,
it could be classified as decreased (improvement),
increased (worsened) or no changes6,35. The
F bandwidth could be classified into wider
(improvement), less wide (worsening) or no change.
The F and the tracing definition of harmonics was
evaluated according to their visibility, demarcation
and symmetry, defined as more (improvement),
less definite (worsening) or no change. The tracing
regularity is related to its continuity and stability and
could be classified into more regular (improvement),
less regular (worsening) or no changes6.
The spectrographic analysis was performed
individually by three speech therapysts with
experience and a master degree in the voice area,
they were not the studys authors, they were blinded
with respect to research objectives, to the technique
used, to the identification of individuals at the time
of evaluation, to the replication of emissions, as
well as to the evaluation of the other judges, being
only informed that the voices belonged to adult
women6,13,21,22,30.
The SBW and SNB of the three moments of the
vowel /a:/ emission prior to the technique performing
(Moment 1 M1), immediately after the technique
(Moment 2 M2), five minutes after the technique
(Moment M3) of each individual were paired for
the comparative assessment of the judges, which
would analyze the latter relative to the first. So, three
pairs were formed for each individual (pair M1-M2,
pair M1-M3 and pair M2-M3), but were coded and
randomized for the judges to be unaware of the
different moments of emissions 6,31.

There were replicated 20% of the spectographies pairs, without the knowledge of the
judges, for further statistical analysis of ratings
reliability 30,35. Thus, there were evaluated 138 pairs
and more than 30 replicates, totalling 168 pairs
evaluated by each of the judges.
Subsequently, it was performed the Kappa coefficient calculation to verify the intra-rater12,22 showing
values of 0,57; 0,49; and 0,53 respectively for each
of the three judges. The inter-eater reliability among
three judges was of 0,2, considering: 0,6 and 0,79,
good; 0,4 and 0,59, moderated; 0,2 and 0,39,
regular; between zero and 0,19, poor; between
zero and 1, no reliability22,35. For the survey results,
there were considered the predominant answers in
the assessors judgements12,22.
After tabulating the data, it was applied the
Chi-square test to assess the significance of the
results of vocal self-evaluation and of SBW and
SNB between the pair M1-M2, M1-M3 and M2-M3.
It was applied the correlation test of Spearman to
check the correlation between vocal self- evaluation
and the parameters evaluated in the SBW and in the
SNB. For all tests, it was considered the significance
level of 5% (p <0.05).

RESULTS
Table 1 shows the result of vocal self-assessment
performed by the subjects.
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are indicated changes
observed through the analysis of SBW and SNB
comparing the three stages involved in making the
FK.
Tables 8 and 9 show the correlations between
vocal self-assessment and SBW and SNB.

Table 1 Vocal self-evaluation on the global effect of FK technique

Better
voice
40(86,96)

M1XM2
n (%)
Worse
Equal
Voice
voice
2 (4,35)
4 (8,70)

Chi Squared Test

* Statistically significant values (p<0,05)
M1- moment 1
M2- moment 2
M3- moment 3

Rev. CEFAC. 2014 Jul-Ago; 16(4):1239-1254

p- value
0,0001*

Better
voice
37(80,43)

M1XM3
n (%)
Worse
Equal
Voice
voice
2 (4,35)
7(15,22)

p- value
0,0001*

Finger Kazoo technique

1243

Table 2 Acoustic vocal modifications in bandwidth spectrography between M1xM2

F1
F2
F3
F4
Stroke color of F Stroke color of
high frequencies
Stroke color all
over the voice
spectrogram
All over the voice
spectrogram
In high
frequencies
Presence of
noise
In medium
frequencies
In low
frequencies
F1
F2
Tracing
definition of F
F3
F4
Tracing regularity

M1XM2
Worsening
No change
n (%)
n (%)
9 (19,57)
15 (32,61)
7 (15,22)
18 (39,13)
8 (17,39)
14 (30,43)
7 (15,22)
15 (32,61)

Improvement
n (%)
22 (47,83)
21 (45,65)
24 (52,17)
24 (52,17)

p-value
0,063
0,028*
0,014*
0,008*

10 (21,74)

9 (19,57)

27 (58,70)

0,001*

10 (21,74)

11 (23,91)

25 (54,35)

0,010*

17 (36,96)

18 (39,13)

11 (23,91)

0,392

16 (34,78)

23 (50,00)

7(15,22)

0,015*

9 (19,57)

24 (52,17)

13 (28,26)

0,019*

4 (8,70)

39 (84,78)

3 (6,52)

0,000*

5 (10,87)
10 (21,74)
10 (21,74)
10 (21,74)
11 (23,91)

28 (60,87)
11 (23,91)
14 (30,43)
16 (34,78)
10 (21,74)

13 (28,26)
25 (54,35)
22 (47,82)
20 (43,48)
25 (54,35)

0,000*
0,010*
0,000*
0,191
0,010*

Chi Squared Test

* Statistically significant values (p<0,05)
M1- moment 1
M2- moment 2

Rev. CEFAC. 2014 Jul-Ago; 16(4):1239-1254

1244

Cielo CA, Christmann MK

Table 3 Acoustic vocal modifications in bandwidth spectrography between M1 e M3

F1
F2
F3
F4
Stroke color of F Stroke color of
high frequencies
Stroke color all
over the voice
spectrogram
All over the voice
spectrogram
In high
frequencies
Presence of
noise
In medium
frequencies
In low
frequencies
F1
F2
Tracing
definition of F
F3
F4
Tracing regularity
Chi Squared Test
* Statistically significant values (p<0,05)
M1- moment 1
M3- moment 3

Rev. CEFAC. 2014 Jul-Ago; 16(4):1239-1254

M1XM3
Worsening
No change
n (%)
n (%)
7 (15,22)
15 (32,61)
18 (39,13)
6 (13,04)
10 (21,74)
11 (23,91)
5 (10,87)
17 (36,96)

Improvement
n (%)
24 (52,17)
22 (47,83)
25 (54,35)
24 (52,17)

p-value
0,008*
0,010*
0,010*
0,002*

7 (15,22)

12 (26,09)

27 (58,70)

0,000*

11 (23,91)

15 (32,61)

20 (43,48)

0,265

17 (36,96)

19 (41,30)

10 (21,74)

0,233

20 (43,48)

19 (41,30)

7 (15,22)

0,032*

19 (41,30)

22 (47,83)

5 (10,87)

0,004*

9 (19,57)

34 (73,91)

3 (6,52)

0,000*

4 (8,70)
17 (36,96)
14 (30,43)
7 (15,22)
20 (43,48)

23 (50,00)
9 (19,57)
7 (15,22)
17 (36,96)
6 (13,04)

19 (41,30)
20 (43,48)
25 (54,35)
22 (47,83)
20 (43,48)

0,001*
0,121
0,004*
0,022*
0,140

Finger Kazoo technique

1245

Table 4 Acoustic vocal modifications in bandwidth spectrography between M2 e M3

F1
F2
F3
F4
Stroke color of F Stroke color of
high frequencies
Stroke color all
over the voice
spectrogram
All over the voice
spectrogram
In high
frequencies
Presence of
In medium
noise
frequencies
In low
frequencies
F1
F2
Tracing
definition of F
F3
F4
Tracing regularity

M2XM3
Worsening
No change
n (%)
n (%)
12 (26,09)
22 (47,83)
20 (43,48)
12 (26,09)
21 (45,65)
10 (21,74)
15 (32,61)
17 (36,96)

Improvement
n (%)
12 (26,09)
14 (30,43)
15 (32,61)
14 (30,43)

p-value
0,113
0,322
0,138
0,858

17 (36,96)

16 (34,78)

13 (28,26)

0,753

20 (43,48)

12 (26,09)

14 (30,43)

0,322

15 (32,61)

22 (47,83)

9 (19,57)

0,063

12 (26,09)

26 (56,52)

8 (17,39)

0,002*

12 (26,09)

25 (54,35)

9 (19,57)

0,008*

38 (82,61)

3 (6,52)

0,000*

27 (58,70)
12 (26,09)
13 (28,26)
13 (28,26)
10 (21,74)

6 (13,04)
12 (26,09)
12 (26,09)
12 (26,09)
13 (28.26)

0,000*
0,113
0,204
0,204
0,048*

5 (10,87)
13 (28,26)
22 (47,83)
21 (45,65)
21 (45,65)
23 (50,00)

Chi Squared Test

* Statistically significant values (p<0,05)
M2- moment 2
M3- moment 3

Rev. CEFAC. 2014 Jul-Ago; 16(4):1239-1254

1246

Cielo CA, Christmann MK

Table 5 Acoustic vocal modifications in narrowband spectrography between the pair M1 e M2

Stroke color of high frequencies

Stroke color all over the voice
spectrogram
Between the
harmonics
In high
frequencies
Presence of
noise
In medium
frequencies
In low
frequencies
All over the voice
spectrogram
Replacement of In all frequencies
harmonics with
In medium
noise
frequencies
In low
frequencies
Tracing definition of harmonics
Tracing regularity
Number of harmonics
Presence of sub-harmonics
Chi Squared Test
* Statistically significant values (p<0,05)
M1- moment 1
M2- moment 2

Rev. CEFAC. 2014 Jul-Ago; 16(4):1239-1254

M1XM2
Worsening
No change
n (%)
n (%)
9 (19,57)
13 (28,26)

Improvement
n (%)
24 (52,17)

p-value
0,019*

8 (17,39)

17 (36,96)

21 (45,65)

0,055

15 (32,61)

24 (52,17)

7 (15,22)

0,008*

15 (32,61)

25 (54,35)

6 (13,04)

0,002*

15 (32,61)

22 (47,83)

9 (19,57)

0,063

8 (17,39)

32 (69,57)

6 (13,04)

0,000*

7 (15,22)

22 (47,83)

17 (36,96)

0,022

4 (8,70)

25 (54,35)

17 (36,96)

0,000*

11 (23,91)

20 (43,48)

15 (32,61)

0,265

2 (4,35)

41 (89,13)

3 (6,52)

0,000*

12 (26,09)
9 (19,57)
15 (32,61)
2 (4,35)

9 (19,57)
14 (30,43)
9 (19,57)
40 (86,96)

25 (54,35)
23 (50)
22 (47,83)
4 (8,70)

0,008*
0,037*
0,063
0,000*

Finger Kazoo technique

1247

Table 6 Acoustic vocal modifications in narrowband spectrography between the pair M1 e M3

Stroke color of high frequencies

Stroke color all over the voice
spectrogram
Between the
harmonics
In high
frequencies
Presence of
noise
In medium
frequencies
In low
frequencies
All over the voice
spectrogram
Replacement of In all frequencies
harmonics with
In medium
noise
frequencies
In low
frequencies
Tracing definition of harmonics
Tracing regularity
Number of harmonics
Presence of sub-harmonics

M1XM3
Worsening
No change
n (%)
n (%)
6 (13,04)
19 (41,30)

Improvement
n (%)
21 (45,65)

p-value
0,013*

12 (26,09)

10 (21,74)

24 (52,17)

0,023*

21 (45,65)

18 (39,13)

7 (15,22)

0,028*

18 (39,13)

25 (54,35)

3 (6,52)

0,000*

21 (45,65)

15 (32,61)

10 (21,74)

0,138

16 (34,78)

25 (34,78)

5 (10,87)

0,001*

10 (21,74)

23 (50,00)

13 (28,26)

0,048*

6 (13,04)

29 (63,04)

11 (23,91)

0,000*

11 (23,91)

24 (52,17)

11 (23,91)

0,025*

7 (15,22)

35 (76,09)

4 (8,70)

0,000*

18 (39,13)
15 (32,61)
16 (34,78)
-

8 (17,39)
8 (17,39)
13 (28,26)
43 (93,48)

20 (43,48)
23 (50,00)
17 (36,96)
3 (6,52)

0,067
0,025*
0,753
0,000*

Chi Squared Test

* Statistically significant values (p<0,05)
M1- moment 1
M3- moment 3

Rev. CEFAC. 2014 Jul-Ago; 16(4):1239-1254

1248

Cielo CA, Christmann MK

Table 7 Acoustic vocal modifications in narrowband spectrography between the pair M2 e M3

Stroke color of high frequencies

Stroke color all over the voice
spectrogram
Between the
harmonics
In high
frequencies
Presence of
noise
In medium
frequencies
In low
frequencies
All over the voice
spectrogram
Replacement of In all frequencies
harmonics with
In medium
noise
frequencies
In low
frequencies
Tracing definition of harmonics
Tracing regularity
Number of harmonics
Presence of sub-harmonics
Chi Squared Test
* Statistically significant values (p<0,05)
M2- moment 2
M3- moment 3

Rev. CEFAC. 2014 Jul-Ago; 16(4):1239-1254

M2XM3
Worsening
No change
n (%)
n (%)
19 (41,30)
15 (32,61)

Improvement
n (%)
12 (26,09)

p-value
0,447

17 (36,96)

14 (30,43)

15 (32,61)

0,858

13 (28,26)

24 (52,17)

9 (19,57)

0,019*

8 (17,39)

31 (67,39)

7 (15,22)

0,000*

15 (32,61)

22 (47,83)

9 (19,57)

0,063

12 (26,09)

28 (60,87)

6 (13,04)

0,000*

16 (34,78)

24 (52,17)

6 (13,04)

0,005*

14 (30,43)

25 (54,35)

7 (15,22)

0,004*

13 (28,26)

27 (58,70)

6 (13,04)

0,000*

6 (13,04)

37 (80,43)

3 (6,52)

0,000*

21 (45,65)
18 (39,13)
19 (41,30)
-

9 (19,57)
17 (36,96)
13 (28,26)
43 (93,48)

16 (34,78)
11 (23,91)
14 (30,43)
3 (6,52)

0,093
0,392
0,509
0,000*

Finger Kazoo technique

1249

Table 8 Correlation between vocal self-evaluation and bandwidth spectrography variables

F1
F2
F3
F4
Stroke color of F Stroke color of
high frequencies
Stroke color all
over the voice
spectrogram
All over the voice
spectrogram
In high
frequencies
Presence of
noise
In medium
frequencies
In low
frequencies
F1
F2
Tracing
definition of F
F3
F4
Tracing regularity
Regularidade do traado

Vocal self assessment

M1XM2
M1XM3
r
p-valor
r
p-valor
-0,098
0,514
0,198
0,185
0,069
0,644
0,232
0,120
0,092
0,539
0,3193
0,030*
0,037
0,804
0,200
0,182
0,109

0,467

0,051

0,732

0,086

0,565

0,066

0,659

0,020

0,894

0,027

0,854

0,054

0,717

0,089

0,555

0,040

0,787

0,100

0,506

-0,023

0,877

0,091

0,547

0,124
0,264
0,140
-0,039

0,407
0,075
0,350
0,796

0,000
0,162
0,125
0,137

0,998
0,281
0,407
0,367

0,107

0,478

0,055

0,711

Spearman correlation test

*statistically significant values (p<0,05)
M1- moment 1
M2- moment 2
M3- moment 3

Rev. CEFAC. 2014 Jul-Ago; 16(4):1239-1254

1250

Cielo CA, Christmann MK

Table 9 Correlation between vocal self-evaluation and the narrowband spectrography variables

Stroke color of high frequencies

Stroke color all over the voice
spectrogram
Between the
harmonics
In high
frequencies
Presence of noise
In medium
frequencies
In low
frequencies
All over the voice
spectrogram
In high
Replacement of
frequencies
harmonics with
In medium
noise
frequencies
In low
frequencies
Tracing definition of harmonics
Tracing regularity
Number of harmonics
Presence of sub-harmonics

r
0,020

M1XM2

Vocal self assessment

M1XM3

p valor
0,891

r
0,185

p valor
0,216

0,061

0,685

0,102

0,498

0,080

0,592

-0,085

0,573

0,060

0,687

-0,185

0,218

0,096

0,525

-0,119

0,427

-0,045

0,766

0,067

0,657

-0,067

0,655

0,195

0,193

-0,006

0,966

0,016

0,915

-0,123

0,415

0,392

0,006*

0,047

0,752

0,147

0,329

0,008
-0,098
0,013
-0,148

0,953
0,512
0,927
0,324

0,323
0,236
0,335
0,129

0,028*
0,113
0,022*
0,390

Spearman correlation test

*statistically significant values (p<0,05)
M1- moment 1
M2- moment 2
M3- moment 3

DISCUSSION
The visual record coming from the voice analysis,
through the spectroscopy, presents the distribution
of energy in the frequency and in time. Also seems
to be an effective tool to check the effect of vocal
techniques and to evaluate the evolution of the therapeutic process, although it is a complement analysis
to auditory perceptual vocal assessment6,13,35.
The transformation of the air proceeding from the
lungs in the form of acoustic energy occurs in the
glottal source due to the movements of the mucosa
vocal folds and to the intrinsic laryngeal muscles
(abductors and tensors). That process is capable of
producing endless cycles of complex waves that are
known as harmonics, so that the first harmonic is
the fundamental frequency (f0). Certain groups of
harmonics are changed and known as F, depending
on the conformation of the vocal tract, resulting
from the different mobilisations of the articulators,
Rev. CEFAC. 2014 Jul-Ago; 16(4):1239-1254

allowing to distinguish the various sounds of the

tongue. The F are best evidenced in the SBW 25.
In the SBW of the present study, there was
significant improvement in the intensity of F2, F3,
F4 and high frequencies, a significant improvement
of the definition of F2 and F3 and accuracy of stroke
immediately after FK (M1XM2). We also found a
significant increase in the intensity of the stroke color
of all F and high frequencies as well as significant
improvement in the definition of F3 and F4, after five
minutes of absolute silence after the completion of
FK (M1XM3) (Tables 2, 3 and 4).
In the SBW of the present study, there was
an improvement of vocal resonance, reduction
of noise, more formant and harmonic power and
greater stability of the emission, suggesting a
greater pneumo-phono-articulatory coordination
with greater projection of the voice radiated from the
lips 25 , although there was worsening of the presence
of noise in high frequencies in M1XM3 1,2,4,9.

Finger Kazoo technique

Similar findings were found in another study on

SOVTE14, being not found in literature works using a
spectographic analysis with the FK technique.
In a study on sonorous tongue vibration
technique, also in women without vocal complaints
or laryngeal disorders, using three sets of 15 repetitions in TMF, there was a significant increase in
the stroke color and in the tracing definition of F
as well as in all vocal spectrogram, apart from the
improvement in the tracing regularity14.
Some authors suggest that the stroke color of the
spectrographic tracing relates to the sound pressure
that depends, in addition to respiratory strength, to
the resistance of the glottis (the first point of discontinuity of impedance in vocal production) 6,26. In
vocal production, there are points that change the
acoustic impedance, so that the two main ones are
the glottis and the vocal tract. The first refers to the
relationship between subglottic air pressure and
air flow that passes between the vocal folds, while
the second refers to the relationship between the
acoustic pressure of the vocal tract and the resulting
air flow1,3.
In the present study, the stroke increased color
intensity after FK may be explained due to the
increased impedance of the vocal tract, which occurs
in the FK by the semi occlusion of the lips, it acts as
a protective mechanism for increasing the glottis air
pressure in the supraglottic region, increasing the
pressure also at glottic level. This tends to move
away the vocal folds and reduce the impact when
in contact medially, balancing the pressures at
the level of the glottis and vocal tract (interaction
source and filter or retroflex resonance) 1-3,9,36,37.
The literature shows that this process generates a
more economical speech, enabling the same vocal
production with less effort, greater vocal efficiency
and greater absorption of the impact generated
during phonation 1,2,4,9,31,36.
Thus, it is conceivable to think that the FK
technique has initially generated an increased
impedance in the vocal tract interfering in the sound
produced by the glottis, which improves the stroke
color of the spectrographic elements with more
economic phonation after the technique application.
This effect is described by some authors as one of
the most pronounced SOVTE features1,2,4.
The increase of the stroke color can also be
related to the extensive mobilization of the mucosa
and to the increased synchronization of the vibration
of vocal folds that occurs during the technique
with consequent improvement of the laryngeal
signal. This generates an increase and a greater
tracing definition of the harmonic energy and an
improvement of vocal projection 5,25,32.

1251

There was also a worsening of the tracing

regularity between the pair M2-M3, in contradiction
with the significant improvement in this aspect
immediately after FK, suggesting that this effect
is more immediate and is not maintained for long
periods (Table 4).
There were not changes concerning the presence
of noise in high, medium and low frequencies. Also
there was no change in the bandwidth of F and in the
tracing definition of F1 during the three comparison
moments (Table 2, 3 and 4), which can be understood by the fact that the group does not have vocal
complaints, laryngeal disorders or stomatognatical
problems that could promote the presence of noise,
nasality or changes in the configuration of vocal
tract during the emission of /a:/ used for evaluations. Results that meet those observed in study
with individuals with adapted voices, in which there
was not any change in these aspects14.
It is possible that individuals with dysphonic
voices tend to have most significant changes
regarding noise after phonotherapy. This possibility
converges with a work that found a significant noise
reduction in spectroscopy of male and female voices,
with different types of dysphonia after phonotherapy,
although with no description of the techniques used
in each case of dysphonia6.
In SNB, there was significant increase in the
stroke color of high frequencies, in the tracing
definition of harmonics, in the tracing regularity
and in the stroke color throughout all the vocal
spectrogram, suggesting increased harmonic
energy and reduction of the aperiodic energy of the
vocal spectrogram6, although there was significant
worsening of the presence of noise between the
harmonics, between the pair M1-M3 (Table 5, 6
and 7).
Extensive mobilization of the mucosa, that
occurs due to the increased air flow during the
technique, makes that the vocal folds vibrate in a
more synchronized way, promoting an improvement
of the laryngeal source signal, by the renewal of the
mucus layer and the homogenization of the mucosa.
This favours an increase in the number of amplified
harmonics and its tracing definition of highest, which
in turn are better propagated and modified by the
vocal tract, with improved resonance 5,25,32.
Even, in this work, there were some aspects in
which there were no significant changes, such as the
presence of sub-harmonics, the presence of noise
between the harmonics in high and low frequencies,
and the replacement of harmonics with noise all
over the vocal spectrogram and in the high, medium
and low frequencies (Tables 5, 6 e 7) reinforce the
already mentioned fact that the group studied did
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1252

Cielo CA, Christmann MK

not have vocal complaints, laryngeal disorders, and

presented adapted voices.
The FK, as on of SOVTE, tends to produce
changes in patients vocal self-reports, since it
alters the proprioception, by increasing the intraoral
pressure related to the air outlet resistance (increase
in acoustic impedance of the vocal tract), facilitating
the control and the execution of the technique and
helping the self-monitoring of voice1,4. In this study,
through voice self-assessment, it was found that
most of the subjects reported significant better voice
at both moments after FK (Table 1).
These facts suggest that the FK, one of
the SOVTE, generates greater comfort during
phonation, possibly due to the change in vocal fold
vibration pattern that reduced the degree of adductor
tension and to the balance of subglottic and supraglottic pressure 1,2. Such results can also be related
to the improvement of resonance, displayed on the
spectrographic analysis (Tables 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7).
The SOVTE generate vibrations in the orofacial
structures and sometimes on the chest, and the
counterpressure in the larynx 1,2, being an important
factor to be considered in speech therapy, since they
help increasing the motivation of the patient that can
understand what positive changes are occurring in
his voice. For this reason, the vocal self-assessment
of the subject has been highly valued and described
in several studies 2,4,8,14,15,31,36.
The improve in the self perception of voice after
the FK meets the literature on SOVTE 4,8. In a study
that examined the effects of the immediate execution
of a minute of the phonation technique into tubes
with individuals with and without laryngeal affections, the vocal self-assessment showed significant
predominance of positive feelings (easier and better
voice) in both evaluated study groups 4.
In the self-evaluation performed by the subjects
in a study that evaluated the effect of fricative sound
// sound technique,a significant group majority has
noticed its voice better. Among the positive sensations mentioned were cleaner and clearer voice
with greater production facility, less blurry, more
regular, forcing less the emission and managing to
keep the voice longer 8.
However, in research with the performance of a
minute blow with sound with seniors, most did not
notice any significant effect after the execution of
the technique. This was possibly due to the fact that
the execution time of one minute have been insufficient to cause the perception of vocal changes by
the subjects 31.

Rev. CEFAC. 2014 Jul-Ago; 16(4):1239-1254

In the current study, there was significant correlation between improvement in M1XM3 of vocal selfassessment and the increasing intensity of F3 stroke
color in SBW 5,34,37, and between the improvement
of vocal self-assessment and greater definition and
number of harmonics in the SNB (Table 8), showing
the reciprocity between the subjective sensation of
vocal improvement after FK and improvement in the
harmonic energy in espectrographies, although the
correlation with the replacement of harmonics by
the medium frequency noise in SNB.
There were not found in literature works that
have addressed such correlations, requiring more
researches, using different assessment tools and
different study groups, including dysphonic, for
increasing knowledge about the effects and effectiveness of the FK technique, allowing the expansion
of the discussions on this topic.

CONCLUSION
In general, after the FK, the SBW showed
increased stroke color and increased F tracing
definition, increase of high frequencies stroke color
and improvement of tracing regularity. There was no
change of F bandwidth, in F1 tracing definition and
in the presence of noise in the high, medium and
low frequencies. However, there was an increase
in the presence of noise at high frequencies and a
worsening of tracing regularity.
SNB showed an increased stroke color of
high frequencies and of the entire spectrogram,
improvement of tracing regularity, and improvement
of harmonics spectrum. There was no change in the
presence of noise between the harmonics of high and
low frequencies, in the replacement of harmonics by
noise of high, medium and low frequencies and in
the entire spectrogram as well as in the presence of
sub-harmonics. However, there was a worsening in
the presence of noise between the harmonics. The
vocal self-evaluation showed better voice after FK.
There was a positive correlation between selfevaluation of better voice and the increase of F3 in
the BW stroke color and between the self- evaluation
of better voice and the increase of tracing definition,
of the number of harmonics, despite the positive
correlation with the replacement of harmonics by
noise in the medium frequencies of the SNB.
It is possible that FK increases the harmonic
energy, projection and stability of the emission,
providing better quality voice to the subject.

Finger Kazoo technique

1253

RESUMO
Objetivo: correlacionar modificaes vocais acsticas espectrogrficas e autoavaliao aps o finger kazoo. Mtodos: anlise de /a:/ de 46 mulheres sem queixas vocais ou afeces larngeas pelo
Real Time Spectrogram e autoavaliao antes (Momento 1 M1), aps o finger kazoo (Momento
2 M2) e aps cinco minutos de silncio (Momento 3 M3). Teste Kappa, Qui-quadrado, Spearman.
Resultados: melhora da intensidade do escurecimento do traado dos formantes (F) e das altas
frequncias, regularidade do traado e definio dos harmnicos. Melhora na autoavaliao vocal,
conforme aumento da intensidade do escurecimento do traado de F3, da definio do traado, do
nmero de harmnicos e reduo da substituio de harmnicos por rudos nas mdias frequncias.
Concluses: aps o finger kazoo, aumentou a intensidade da cor do traado, a regularidade e definio nas espectrografias e houve melhora na autoavaliao vocal.
DESCRITORES: Voz; Fonao; Reabilitao; Acstica da Fala

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Received on: March 16, 2013

Accepted on: June 18, 2013
Mailing address:
Carla Aparecida Cielo
Rua Guilherme Joo Fabrin, 545
Santa Maria RS Brasil
CEP: 97050-280
E-mail: [email protected]
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