Breathiness
Quick Definition
A vocal quality caused by incomplete closure of the vocal folds, allowing excess air to escape during phonation.
Factual Definition
Breathiness occurs when the vocal folds do not fully adduct during the closed phase of vibration, resulting in turbulent airflow that is audible as noise in the acoustic signal.
Full Explanation
Breathiness is characterized by audible air escaping during phonation, creating a softer, airier tone quality. While it can be used as a stylistic choice in some genres (breathy pop vocals, for example), persistent unwanted breathiness often indicates the vocal folds are not coming together completely during phonation.
Common causes include muscle tension patterns that prevent full adduction, vocal fatigue, nodules or other lesions on the vocal folds, neurological conditions, or habitual speech patterns developed over time.
Addressing unwanted breathiness typically involves exercises that encourage cleaner cord closure without introducing compensatory tension. When left unaddressed, breathiness can lead to secondary issues like squeezing, as the body attempts to create stability through external muscle engagement rather than efficient vocal fold closure.