VoSci Lexicon
Singing comes with its own language—and we’re here to help you speak it.
The VoSci Lexicon is a growing glossary of terms related to singing and the voice. Whether you’re a singer, teacher, or just someone who loves learning how the voice works, this resource is designed to make complex concepts easier to understand and apply.
Use it to clarify unfamiliar terms, deepen your understanding, or revisit the foundations with fresh insight.
Dynamic Microphone
A dynamic microphone is a type of microphone commonly used in singing and live sound applications. It operates based on electromagnetic induction. When sound waves hit the microphone's diaphragm, it causes a coil of wire to move within a magnetic field, generating an...
Dorsum (Tongue)
The Dorsum of the Tongue is what many perceive as the middle and back of the tongue; it is the back part of the tongue that is visible in the mouth and sits above the root of the tongue. The Dorsum of the Tongue is important in the creation of vowel and consonants as...
Diaphragmatic Breathing
Diaphragmatic Breathing or Abdominal Breathing is often referred to as the “correct way to breathing” while singing and does have many benefits for certain styles of singing, like western classical. During an inhalation the abdominal muscles are allowed to relax...
Diaphragm
The Diaphragm is a thin sheet of domed muscle extending across the bottom of the thoracic cavity. It is the primary muscle for inhalation as its contraction pulls it down, creating a vacuum in the thoracic cavity which causes the lungs to expand and fill with air. The...
Decibel (dB)
Decibel (dB) measures sound intensity or the sound power per unit area on a logarithmic scale. Because of this logarithmic relationship, the overall sound pressure doubles every six decibels. Decibels were named after Alexander Graham Bell.Want to keep exploring? Head...
Cyst
Vocal Fold Cysts are fluid-filled or semisolid growths that typically form on only one vocal fold and unlike nodules can form at any point along the vocal fold. They form in the superficial lamina propria of the vocal fold, underneath the epithelium. Cysts are not...
Costal Cartilage
Costal cartilage refers to the hyaline cartilage that connects the ribs to the sternum in the human ribcage. It is essential for maintaining the structure and flexibility of the chest wall. Costal cartilage allows the ribs to move during respiration, which is crucial...
Condenser Microphone
A condenser microphone is a type of microphone that converts sound waves into electrical signals using an electrically charged diaphragm and a backplate. Condenser microphones require an external power source, typically provided through batteries or phantom power....
Cochlea
The cochlea is a spiral-shaped, fluid-filled structure located in the inner ear that is responsible for translating sound vibrations into electrical signals that the brain can interpret as sound. Sound enters the cochlea through the vibrations of the middle ear bones,...
Coccyx
The coccyx, commonly known as the tailbone, is a small, triangular bone located at the base of the vertebral column in humans. Comprising three to five fused vertebrae, the coccyx serves as an attachment point for ligaments, tendons, and muscles. While the coccyx...
Closed Quotient
Closed Quotient refers to the proportion of time during a vocal fold vibration cycle when the vocal folds are completely closed (adducted). It is usually expressed as a percentage. Closed quotient is a critical factor in voice production, as it influences the tone,...
Clavicular Breathing
Clavicular breathing, also known as chest breathing or shallow breathing, refers to a breathing pattern primarily characterized by the elevation of the shoulders and upper chest during inhalation. Instead of utilizing the diaphragm and lower ribcage, clavicular...
Chiaroscuro
Chiaroscuro refers to a vocal technique that emphasizes the balancing of light and dark. It is a key part of bel canto singing, and is the standard among classical singers. It is characterized by a lowered laryngeal position and forward tongue position.Want to keep...
Chest Voice
Chest voice, a common term for Thyroarytenoid Dominant Production, refers to the lower range of a singer's vocal register, characterized by a deep and resonant sound. It is produced when the vocal folds shorten and thicken, resulting in a fuller and more robust tone....
Chaos Theory
Chaos theory is a branch of mathematics and physics that studies complex and unpredictable systems. It explores how seemingly random and chaotic behavior can emerge from simple nonlinear equations. Chaos theory suggests that small changes in initial conditions can...
Cervical Spine
The cervical spine, also known as the neck region of the spine, consists of seven vertebral bones labeled as C1 to C7. It is a crucial part of the spine that supports the head and allows for a wide range of movement in various directions, including flexion, extension,...
Cents
Cents, in the context of music and sound, are a unit of measurement used to quantify the difference in pitch between two frequencies. One cent is equal to one hundredth of a semitone. Cents provide a precise way to describe and compare the pitch variations between...
Centimeters of Water
Centimeters of water is a unit of pressure measurement. It is used to quantify pressure in terms of the height of a column of water. One centimeter of water is equal to the pressure exerted by a one-centimeter high column of water under the influence of gravity at...
Catacoustics
Catacoustics is the branch of acoustics dealing with echoes and reflected sounds, also sometimes referred to as cataphonics. Typically, however, it shows up simply under the term acoustics.Want to keep exploring? Head back to the Lexicon homepage to browse all terms.
Bronchi
The bronchus or bronchi are the two main air passages that branch off from the trachea and lead into the lungs. They further divide into smaller airways called bronchioles within the lungs. The bronchi are lined with cilia, hair like structures that help move mucus...
Breathiness
Breathiness in singing refers to a vocal quality characterized by the audible passage of breath during phonation. It can be described as lacking resonance and is often accompanied by an audible emission of breath. This vocal quality is achieved when the vocal folds...
Boyle’s Law
Boyle's Law is a fundamental principle in physics that describes the relationship between the pressure and volume of a gas at a constant temperature. Named after physicist Robert Boyle, who formulated the law in the 17th century, it states that the pressure of a given...
Blade of the Tongue
The Blade of the Tongue is the front of the tongue right behind the tip of the tongue. Along with the Dorsom, the Blade is responsible for the creation of vowels. The higher the placement of the blade of the tongue, the lower the first formant.Want to keep exploring?...
Bernoulli Effect
The Bernoulli Effect, named after the Swiss mathematician Daniel Bernoulli, refers to a principle within fluid dynamics that states that an increase in the speed of a fluid occurs simultaneously with a decrease in pressure or potential energy of the fluid. In other...