The Correlation Analysis of Ensemble Singing
Abstract
The Correlation Analysis of Ensemble Singing
Incoming article date: 30.05.2014According to the signal theory vocal speech presents a non-stationary random process due to time variation of its main characteristics. A special emotional impact is gained during ensemble and choir performances. The article provides the correlation analysis results and the autocorrelation function of ensemble singing calculated, taking into account the non-stationary nature of acoustic signals. The studies have shown that there is a certain visual resemblance between correlation portraits of a non-professional student ensemble and a non-professional solo singer. At the same time the correlation portrait of student and professional co-performance tends to a professional singer correlation portrait. This helps to make a quantitative assessment of an ensemble’s professionalism which, alongside with a vocal teacher’s subjective assessment, can provide an objective view on singers’ voices condition to optimize the academic voice training process in an ensemble, which is important when using this voice assessing method in music schools, colleges and universities.
Keywords: Vocal speech, acoustic signal, ensemble singing, choir performance, non-stationary random process, autocorrelation function, quantitative assessment