Passaggio on chorists’ voice range profile: preliminary study of frequency and intensity

PURPOSE: To analyze the passaggio in the voice range profile of choristers, by identifying the fundamental frequencies and intensities, both in the change to the high and low registers, comparing them, by voice types. METHOD: 67 choristers participated, mean age of 27.79 (± 7.50) years old, of the following voice types: soprano (n = 20), alto (n = 17), tenor (n = 15) and bass (n = 15). For data collection and analysis, the Vocalgram software (CTS Informática) was used, which recorded the emission of the vowel / Ɛ / in ascending and descending glissando, up to the lowest and highest note in the weakest and strongest intensities possible. RESULTS: The values of frequencies and respective intensities of the passaggio were identified in ascending and descending, strong and weak emissions in all voice types. There was a higher occurrence of voice break in the high voices, compared to the low ones. The average values ​​of the frequencies found corresponded to different tones from those established in the literature for all voice types. CONCLUSION: The passaggio identified in the vocal range profile of choristers, based on their frequencies and intensities were more frequent in soprano na tenor, compared to alto and bass, in changes to the low and high registers.