Therian Vocals

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Voice Fundamentals

To understand how to vocalize like different species, it can be helpful to first understand the mechanism we're working with. On this page, you'll learn:

The Source-Filter Model

All sounds are created from a source of vibration and a filter that shapes those vibrations. For example, the vibrating strings of a guitar are the source of vibration, and its hollow body is a filter that shapes the sound before it ultimately reaches our ears.With most speech, the source of vibration is our vocal folds, and the filter is the vocal tract, encompassing the throat, mouth, and nose. The way we create and shape the voice give us countless ways of expressing ourselves.

Source

All sound is made of vibration. A vibration source can be many things, such as a plucked guitar string, a stick striking a drum, or the buzzing lips of a brass player. Below, you'll learn about the common ways we create soundscwith our vocal mechanism.

Step 1: Respiration

When we create any sound, it is powered by air. As we exhale, air is sent up through the vocal tract and out of the nose and mouth. Along the way, it puts the source of vibration into motion. How much and how fast can impact the sound created,

Step 2: Vibration

Many structures in the vocal tract can be pushed into motion by airflow, creating a vibration.Phonation is the the term for vibrations created by the motion of the vocal folds, two side-by-side muscles that vibrate when we speak and sing, and open in a V shape when we breathe. These muscles, about the size of your fingernail, are what allows you to speak.Not all sounds made by humans include vibration of the vocal folds. Linguists distinguish between "voiced sounds" and "unvoiced sounds."Let's feel for the difference. Place a finger on your throat, close to your Adam's apple. Then, make these sounds:

Notice how the sounds in the left column make a vibration in your throat. These are our "voiced" sounds.The sounds in the right column do not vibrate your throat. Instead, the vibration comes from constricting airflow elsewhere in the vocal tract. For example, "sss" constricts air between the tip of your tongue and the back of your teeth. "fff" constricts air between your upper teeth and lower lip. These are some of our "unvoiced" sounds.While many animal sounds are made by vibrating your vocal folds, we'll use all sorts of structures, such as your lips, tongue, and palate.

Filter

Once created by the source, sound is filtered by the size and shape our throat, mouth, and nose on its way out of our bodies.We also use our tongues, lips, teeth, and more to constrict the sound in different ways, called articulation, to create the sounds of speech.

Place

Place describes where a sound is created. All consonants have a place, including voiced and unvoiced sounds.Place is described by the body parts at play. For example, a "labiodental" sound is made by the closing the the lower lip (labio-) and upper teeth (-dental). An "alveolar" sound refers to sounds made by placing the tip of the tongue on the alveolar ridge, the tissue right behind the teeth.Again, let's feel for a difference. Make these sounds, noticing what your lips and tongue are doing during each. Where in your mouth is each sound created?

Place Chart

Use the table below to see the different places we create sounds. Don't worry about the specific terminology - we'll re-explain everything as we go!

Knowledge Check:
Which bilabial sounds are voiced? Unvoiced?
Answer: Voiced - b, m. Unvoiced - p.

Manner

Manner describes how the sound is being created. All consonants have a manner, including both voiced and unvoiced sounds.Manner is described by linguistic terms. For example, a fricative (like zzz, sss, vvv, or fff) is made by pushing the air through a narrow opening. A stop (like t, d, p, b) includes a complete stoppage then burst of air.Take a look at the expanded chart below, and let's feel for a difference. Make these sounds, noticing what your lips and tongue are doing during each. Pay attention to not only where the sound is creased, but how it is created: a steady stream of air, a complete stoppage, etc.

Manner Chart

Size & Shape

While the concepts above apply to consonants, vowels behave differently. We create vowels by keep the vocal tract relatively open while changing the size and shape. Try making an "eee" sound. Then, make an "ooo" sound. What did you notice?In both cases, you likely had your vocal folds vibrating, but it's harder to choose a specific place or manner. That's because the pathway of the sound is more open. Notice what differences did happen - from your lips rounding to how your tongue moved. Linguistically, we can describe vowels by how round the lips are, and forward/back, and high/low the tongue is.

Let's try it out some more. Open a video of white noise on your phone, and place the speaker in the front of your mouth. Try changing the sound by changing the size and shape of your mouth.Some consonants can also be shaped different ways. For example, clench your teeth and make an "mmm" sound. Then, open your jaw as wide as you can with your lips still together, and make the same "mmm" sound. It will likely sound and feel different.

Putting it Together

With this linguistics crash course out of the way, let's try an animal sound! How about an easy one, a hiss.Make a hiss, and notice what your mouth does. Most likely, your vocal folds are not vibrating (unvoiced), your tongue tip is behind your teeth (alveolar), and the air is moving constantly through a narrow opening making a noisy sound (fricative).If we were to describe a hiss, like a snake's, we would call it an "unvoiced alveolar fricative," or simply, the "s" sound in English.

However, what about a cat's hiss? Try making this sound on your own, and take a guess at how to describe it. It's okay to not have the exact linguistic or anatomical terms in mind.

How did you do? A cat's hiss likely has your vocal folds open, and not in vibration (unvoiced), the middle of your tongue against the back roof of your mouth (velar), and the air moving constantly through a narrow opening (fricative). Even though we might describe both as "hisses," breaking it up into its parts (ie, where and how the sound is created) helps us be clear about how to make these sounds.Throughout our guides, we will describe sounds in this way. However, this is a tool, not a requirement. If you don't get it, don't worry! We'll always include step by step instructions and explain important concepts as we go.

Keeping Your Voice Healthy

Many of the sounds you'll learn to make will use your muscles in unfamiliar ways. Over time, you'll learn how to make these with less strain and effort. Remember to stay well hydrated and take things slow.If you experience any of these issues, take a break from practicing:

If any of these issues last longer than 4 weeks, it is important to get evaluated by a medical professional, such as an ear, nose, and throat doctor.

In Conclusion

After reading this article, you should now understand some of the concepts and terms behind creating sound. In summary:

You're now ready to proceed to our other tutorials!

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Canines

Canines are a family of animal including dogs, wolves, foxes, coyotes, and more.Before you begin, consider reading our page on Voice Fundamentals to understand the terms and skills referenced here!

Canine Vocal Anatomy

Canine vocal anatomy is nearly identical to human vocal anatomy, meaning many of the sounds produced by canines can be easily replicated by humans.

Canine Sounds

• Barking
• Growling
• Whining
• Howling
• Gekkering
• Squealing

Barking

A bark is a short, sharp sound. It is used to signal many emotions, including excitement, alertness, fear, or a desire to play. Barks vary by species and breed. They are much more common among domestic dogs, and rarely used by wolves. They are often written with the onomatopoeia "arf," "ruff," or "woof."

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Demos

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The Science of Barking

Source

Respiration: A bark is powered by a quick exhale. To produce this forceful exhale, we use the abdominal muscles to push air out of the lungs. This may feel like tensing your belly.
Vibration: This sound is voiced with the vocal folds. Pitch depends on species and breed.

Filter

Place: The tongue is raised to take up most of the room in the mouth. The front and back of the tongue are raised the highest. Linguistically, it resembles a "palatal" sound.
Manner: A bark is produced by a continuous stream of air. Linguistically, it resembles a "liquid," where sound moves around the sides of the tongue.

Growling

A growl is a low, harsh sound. It is primarily used to signal aggression, but can also be used during play. They are often written with the onomatopoeia "grrr."

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Demos

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The Science of Growling

Source

Respiration: A growl is produced with minimal, but consistent, airflow.
Vibration: This sound is voiced with the vocal folds. The pitch of a growl will likely be your lowest possible pitch.

Filter

Place: Similar to a bark, the tongue is raised to take up most of the room in the mouth. The front and back of the tongue are raised the highest. Linguistically, it resembles a "palatal" sound.
Manner: A growl is produced by a continuous stream of air. Linguistically, it resembles a "liquid," where sound moves around the sides of the tongue.

Whining / Whimpering

A whine or whimper is a high pitched sound or series of quick sounds. it is often used to express a need or discomfort. This is common in puppies.

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Demos

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The Science of Whining

Source

Respiration: A whine is produced with consistent and smooth airflow, for repeated short lengths.
Vibration: This sound is voiced with the vocal folds. The pitch starts very high and decreases slightly over the course of each whine.

Filter

There are two ways to whine, through your mouth, or through your nose.Place: The entire tongue is raised to take up most of the room in the mouth. Keeping the mouth only slightly open, or closed. Linguistically, it resembles a very tense "palatal" or "bilabial" sound.
Manner: A whine is produced by a continuous stream of air. Linguistically, when the mouth is open, it resembles a "liquid," where sound moves around the sides of the tongue. When the mouth is closed, it resembles a "nasal" sound, where sound leaves through the nose.Overall, the vocal tract is kept as small as possible. This is accomplished by raising the tongue and the entire voice box up in the throat.

Howling

A howl is a long, drawn‑out sound. It is used to communicate with and find other dogs/wolves, or to signal loneliness. It is most common among wolves, and some dog breeds such as huskies. A howl is often written with the onomatopoeia "awoo."

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Demos

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The Science of Howling

Source

Respiration: A whine is produced with consistent and smooth airflow for a long duration
Vibration: This sound is voiced with the vocal folds. The pitch starts moderately high and decreases slightly over the course of the howl.

Filter

Vowel Characteristics: The tongue is high in the mouth, pulled slightly back, and curled to create a narrow tunnel for sound to travel through. The lips are rounded.

Gekkering

Definition

Source

Respiration:
Phonation:

Filter

Place:
Manner:

Try It

Squealing

Definition

Source

Respiration:
Phonation:

Filter

Place:
Manner:

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Felines

Felines are a family of animal including domestic cats, as well as big cats such as tigers, lions, cheetahs, and more.Before you begin, consider reading our page on Voice Fundamentals to understand the terms and skills referenced here!

Feline Vocal Anatomy

Feline vocal anatomy is similar to human vocal anatomy, but has some notable exceptions. For example, cats have an extra pad of tissue on their vocal folds, allowing them to reach the low pitches that make up a purr.

Feline Sounds

• Meowing
• Purring
• Hissing
• Chirping
• Chattering
• Roaring
• Growling
• Chuffing

Meowing

Definition

Source

Respiration:
Phonation:

Filter

Place:
Manner:

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Purring

Purring is a soft, steady vibration that shows contentment. A cat's purr is very low frequency sound, typically from 20-30 Hz, or vibrations per second. Humans typically speak between 80-300 Hz, making this low of a note difficult to achieve. Cats also purr when inhaling and exhaling, which is not typical for humans. We can produce a similar sound by using different parts of the body.

Source

Respiration: A purr is produced with strong and steady airflow.
Phonation: To reach the low frequencies of a purr, we will not be phonating with the vocal folds. Instead, we will vibrate the tip of the tongue.

Filter

Place: The tongue is raised to take up most of the room in the mouth. The front and back of the tongue are raised the highest. The tip of the tongue should be near the alveolar ridge - the bump right behind your teeth.
Manner: A purr is produced by a continuous stream of air putting the tip of the tongue into motion. This is called a "trill." It is similar to a "rolled R" in Spanish.

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Chuffing

Definition

Source

Respiration:
Phonation:

Filter

Place:
Manner:

Try It

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Equines

Equines refer to horses, zebras, and similar animals.

Equine Vocal Anatomy

Equine vocal anatomy is similar to humans, however, there are several key differences. Horses have reduced control over the range of pitches and sounds they can make, resulting in a small number of sounds. Their long nose and muzzle contribute to a distinct sound.

Equine Sounds

Neigh

Nicker

Blow

Snort

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Mustelids

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Mustelid Vocal Anatomy

Felines are a family of animal including domestic cats, as well as big cats such as tigers, lions, cheetahs, and more.

Mustelid Sounds

Squeaking

Chittering

Trilling

Barking

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other

There are countless animals not yet included on this site. Have a request? Let us know: