Precise pitch is important to musicians. We created algorithms for real-time pitch detection that generalise well over a range of single �voiced� musical instruments. A high pitch detection accuracy is achieved whilst maintaining a fast response using a special normalisation of the autocorrelation (SNAC) function and its windowed version, WSNAC. Incremental versions of these functions provide pitch values updated at every input sample. A robust octave detection is achieved through a modified cepstrum, utilising properties of human pitch perception and putting the pitch of the current frame within the context of its full note duration. The algorithms have been tested thoroughly both with synthetic waveforms and sounds from real instruments. A method for detecting note changes using only pitch is also presented. Furthermore, we describe a real-time method to determine vibrato parameters - higher level information of pitch variations, including the envelopes of vibrato speed, height, phase and centre offset. Some novel ways of visualising the pitch and vibrato information are presented. Our project �Tartini� provides music students, teachers, performers and researchers with new visual tools to help them learn their art, refine their technique and advance their fields.

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 79-84).

Precise pitch is important to musicians. We created algorithms for real-time pitch detection that generalise well over a range of single �voiced� musical instruments. A high pitch detection accuracy is achieved whilst maintaining a fast response using a special normalisation of the autocorrelation (SNAC) function and its windowed version, WSNAC. Incremental versions of these functions provide pitch values updated at every input sample. A robust octave detection is achieved through a modified cepstrum, utilising properties of human pitch perception and putting the pitch of the current frame within the context of its full note duration. The algorithms have been tested thoroughly both with synthetic waveforms and sounds from real instruments. A method for detecting note changes using only pitch is also presented. Furthermore, we describe a real-time method to determine vibrato parameters - higher level information of pitch variations, including the envelopes of vibrato speed, height, phase and centre offset. Some novel ways of visualising the pitch and vibrato information are presented. Our project �Tartini� provides music students, teachers, performers and researchers with new visual tools to help them learn their art, refine their technique and advance their fields.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency modulations and the intensity modulations of the hand vibrato and the jaw vibrato as they relate to performance on selected brass instruments. Ten trumpet players and ten trombone players were recorded performing a musical exercise which was written in three different registers. Five performers in each group used a hand vibrato and five used a jaw vibrato.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of emotion on several key acoustic features of vibrato including vibrato rate, extent, and steadiness (measured by FM rate COV and FM extent COV). We hypothesized that intensity of emotion would have a significant effect on vibrato rate, extent, and periodicity, although the direction of these changes was undetermined. There were 10 participants, including eight females and two males, who were graduate student singers with high competency ratings. Each participant completed a series of tasks including sustained vowels at several pitch and loudness levels, an assigned song that was determined to have neutral emotion, and a personal selection that was selected because it included sections of intense emotion. Vowel tokens were averaged for each task, and measurements of mean f0, mean dB, FM rate, FM extent, FM rate COV and FM extent COV were calculated by task for each participant. Contrast analyses were performed comparing each task against the personal selection (high emotion) task. The results suggest that FM rate and FM rate COV may have been influenced by level of emotion, and FM extent, FM rate COV and FM extent COV were likely influenced by the performance nature of the task.

abstract: The use of instrumental vibrato in certain periods of classical music performances has become a highly debated and often fiery topic. The scholars of yesterday had only a few sources with which to gain a better understanding of the definition, mechanics, employment, and prevalent attitudes of those coming before them. This project aims to develop the foundation to a better understanding of instrumental vibrato by compiling primary source material written before 1940 and secondary source material relevant to that period into an annotated bibliography. The source materials in this study were mainly comprised of treatises, tutors, method books, newspaper articles, and dictionaries. The instruments covered in this study included the violin family and relatives (viols, etc...), woodwinds (including recorder), members of the brass family, organ, other keyboard instruments, guitar/banjo/lute, theremin, and prototype/niche instruments (such as player pianos). This project investigated 309 historical documents, finding 258 contained writings about instrumental vibrato. Of those, 157 were presented as bibliographic annotations. The author found no consensus at any time in the history of Western art music between 1550-1940 that vibrato is wholly acceptable or wholly unacceptable. / Dissertation/Thesis / D.M.A. Music 2012

Measurements of intraoral pressure (IOP) and sound pressure level (SPL) were taken of four oboists as they performed two sets of musical exercises: (1) crescendo-decrescendo from pp to ff and back to pp on the pitches D4, G4, C5 and A5, and (2) straight and vibrato performances of the same four pitches at mf. Video images of the vocal tract were also made using flexible fiberoptic nasoendoscopy (FFN). IOP and SPL data were captured in real time by the WinDaq®/Lite software package, with the dB meter located 8-9 inches in directly front of the oboe bell. The study yielded minimum and maximum values from 21.04 to 57.81 mm Hg and from 65.53 to 100.89 dB across all pitches examined. Discussion is included for the following topics: (1) the oboe’s sound envelope, or functional range of IOP and SPL values at different pitch levels, including the nonlinearity in the relationship between IOP and SPL on the oboe, (2) the static activation and kinetic maintenance thresholds for reed vibration, (3) the effect of vibrato on IOP/SPL, (4) the utilization of the vocal tract during execution of dynamic changes and vibrato, and (5) the impact of player experience on control of physical variables.

No description available.

No description available.

The purpose was to investigate muscle potential during the vibrato motion for successful, healthy violin/viola performers. Electromyography was used to analyze parameters of muscle potentials during performance of a standardized exercise. These parameters were (a) evidence of potentials, (b) patterns of potentials, and (c) timing relationships (24 muscles). This study also sought to replicate and expand performance data from previous studies. Procedures from three pilot studies were used to standardize collection of EMG data. Synchronized video recordings were used to determine vibrato speed and conduct motion analysis. EMG data processing prior to analysis included power spectrum analysis and rectification, low-pass filtering, and smoothing data. Motion analysis findings (£D) were 1.09 for the elbow joints and 3.25 for the wrist joints. which was an indication of range of motion, suggested much greater activity in muscles controlling wrist movement than those moving the elbow. The degree of muscle potential and control were generally related to distance from the vibrating hand. Forearm muscle groups (8) demonstrated the greatest evidence of potential (76.5%) and were 18.1% non-periodic. Muscles of the upper arm (7) were off 59.4% and 57.0% non-periodic. Upper arm muscles had greater individual differences. Muscles of the chest and back (9) were collectively inactive (89.1%) and non-periodic (73.3%). With timing relationships, the forearm muscles demonstrated consistent firing patterns. Inconsistent firing patterns were evident in the upper arm, and to a greater degree in the chest and back muscles. Based on evaluations of performer motion and muscle potentials, it was strongly implied that there are (a) distinct roles for various muscles during vibrato (control vs. stabilization/support), (b) significant differences in potential between variables of rest, playing position, and performing, (c) significant differences in potential between some fingers, and (d) no significant differences between violinists and violists. The vibrato motion appeared to be controlled primarily by forearm muscles.