Observations of the larynx during vibrato production among professional bassoonists as indicated in experiments utilizing fiberoptic laryngoscopy

Abstract

The research presented here is an observational study of the larynx and its contributions to the production of vibrato on the bassoon. The process of vibrato production on the bassoon is a topic under much debate among its teachers and performers, with no standard guidelines in place for its execution. While most performers and teachers of the bassoon teach vibrato as a technique that uses abdominal pulsations of air to produce its effect, the role of the larynx has been largely ignored in its contribution to the process. This document compares vibrato production of the bassoonist to that of a trained vocalist, and contains references from the published literature on vocal, woodwind and bassoon vibrato. The experimental portion of this document observes the larynx of five professional bassoonists as they execute specific excerpts both with and without the use of vibrato. The observations of the larynx were conducted using the technique of fiberoptic laryngoscopy in the Speech and Hearing Department of the University of Arizona in November of 2002. Visual observations of videotaped examples and computer analysis of recorded sound waves using Praat software are included, which lead to conclusions that bassoon vibrato is controlled at the laryngeal level, primarily by the vocal folds.