Vocal Fold Coordination
Quick Definition
The neuromuscular control of vocal fold posture, tension, and vibratory behavior that determines phonation quality independent of respiratory or resonance adjustments.
Factual Definition
The integrated activation patterns of intrinsic laryngeal muscles (thyroarytenoid, cricothyroid, lateral cricoarytenoid, interarytenoid, posterior cricoarytenoid) that control vocal fold length, thickness, adduction, and stiffness to produce desired phonatory outcomes.
Full Explanation
Vocal fold coordination refers to the singer’s ability to make adjustments at the level of the laryngeal musculature itself, rather than relying on compensatory breath pressure or resonance strategies. This involves balancing the activation of the thyroarytenoid (TA) muscle, which shortens and thickens the folds, against the cricothyroid (CT) muscle, which lengthens and thins them (Hirano et al., 1970; Titze, 1994).
The lateral cricoarytenoid (LCA) muscle controls adduction at the vocal processes, while the interarytenoid muscles approximate the posterior portion of the folds. The balance among these muscles determines registration, with different TA/CT ratios producing modal (chest) versus falsetto (head) configurations (Titze, 2014).
Effective vocal fold coordination allows singers to achieve desired tonal qualities without excessive subglottic pressure, raised larynx position, or extreme resonance adjustments. When fold-level control is developed, phonation threshold pressure decreases, enabling easier voice production across the range (Titze, 1988).