{
  "id": 18168728,
  "title": "Unveiling the science behind a beautiful singing voice",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/unveiling-the-science-behind-a-beautiful-singing-voice",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-11-04T19:20:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-11-unveiling-science-beautiful-voice.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A team of researchers from Keio University in Japan has identified key vocal attributes and acoustic features that contribute to expert evaluations of classical singing performances. In a study published in the Journal of Voice, the researchers simulated a vocal competition to analyze how judges scored singers on various vocal qualities.\n\nThe study involved 22 classical singers, including both male and female performers, who each performed the same a cappella song in a concert hall setting. Expert judges rated the singers' overall performances on a 100-point scale and provided scores for six vocal attributes: pitch variation (vibrato), voice quality (resonance and timbre), diction, pitch accuracy (intonation), and expressiveness.\n\nThe researchers also analyzed four acoustic features: singing power ratio, loudness units relative to full scale, vibrato rate, and vibrato extent. Their findings show that judges gave higher overall scores to singers with better vibrato, resonance, and expressiveness. However, they found that timbre, diction, and intonation did not show a clear link to the overall scores.\n\nOne notable difference between male and female singers was observed in the evaluation of vibrato. Among male singers, a faster vibrato was associated with lower scores, while a wider vibrato was linked to higher scores in female singers. Additionally, voices with greater spectral prominence in the 2–4 kHz range tended to receive higher scores in both male and female performers. This frequency range is associated with the singer's formant, which contributes to a clear, ringing quality that helps voices carry without a microphone.\n\nInterestingly, higher vocal loudness was not associated with higher scores, contrary to what might be expected. The study suggests that the expert evaluation of classical singing can be partially understood through scientific measurements, bridging the gap between artistic intuition and scientific analysis. These findings could help students better understand their instructors' feedback, such as \"let it ring more\" or \"your vibrato is too shallow,\" and allow them to track improvements in their voice quality as they practice. Furthermore, the research could lead to clearer scoring sheets, fairer competition evaluations, and the development of singing evaluation tools that more accurately reflect expert judgment.",
  "summary": "Expert listeners can often form an immediate impression of a singer's performance. But what exactly in the voice drives that judgment? In classical vocal competitions, performers are rated on an overall score. However, the criteria behind that score are rarely made explicit. Moreover, voice quality is often described in vague, metaphorical terms, such as \"ringing,\" \"warm\" or \"focused,\" which can…",
  "key_points": [
    "Expert judges scored singers on overall performances and six vocal attributes.",
    "Higher vibrato, resonance, and expressiveness correlated with better scores.",
    "Male singers with faster vibrato received lower scores, while wider vibrato helped female singers."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}