• Question: How does peoples voice work? From their lungs into the speech and waves of sound that is, and how does everyone's voice sound different? And how do people use different voices in imitation?

    Asked by bitsyboo to Carol, Ellie, John, Philip, Rebecca on 25 Jun 2012. This question was also asked by weirdboblet, dynamitefire.
    • Photo: Carol White

      Carol White answered on 25 Jun 2012:

      I think Rebecca will be able to answer this one better than I can – because she loves singing and probably understands how it works more than I do (I can’t sing!) – but I’ll try my best…

      When you speak, the air that you have in your lungs is pushed out through your larynx, also called your “voice box”. The muscles in your voice box vibrate to make the sound of your voice. You can change how the voice sounds with your throat and mouth, by changing the volume and the shape, so by moving your lips and tongue. I guess imitation artists have just practised making strange sounds with their mouths for so long that they’ve learned how to imitate other people/things!

    • Photo: John Welford

      John Welford answered on 26 Jun 2012:

      Try touching your throat and humming loudly, you should be able to feel the vibrations. I’ve just looked very silly by trying it in a busy office!

      I’m always amazed by the range of sounds that people can make using just their mouths. Try checking out some videos of people “human beatboxing” for some really unbelievable stuff!

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