Men use “vocal fry” more than women, counter to stereotype

Vocal fry, often referred to as 'creaky voice,' is characterized by a noticeable drop in pitch at the end of sentences. This speech pattern has long been associated primarily with young women, with pop culture icons like Britney Spears serving as prominent examples. However, recent research challenges this stereotype. Jeanne Brown, a graduate student at McGill University, presented her findings at the Acoustical Society of America's recent meeting in Philadelphia. Her research indicates that vocal fry is actually more prevalent among men than women, despite common perceptions suggesting otherwise. Vocal fry represents the lowest vocal register, distinguishing itself from the modal, falsetto, and whistle registers. It occurs when the vocal cords become relaxed, resulting in an irregular vibration that produces a distinctive cracking or rattling sound as air is expelled. Typically, vocal fry features fundamental frequencies around 70 Hz, well within the audible range of humans, which begins at 20 Hz. In a related study conducted a decade ago, voice professor John Nix from the University of Texas, San Antonio, noted that artists like Spears, Katy Perry, and Lady Gaga employ vocal fry in their music to enhance emotional expressiveness. He explained that while classical music tends to mask vocal effort, amplified styles like pop music utilize vocal fry to convey genuine emotions. It's important to note that vocal fry is not exclusive to female performers. Male artists, including Justin Bieber and Tim Storms, who holds the record for the lowest note produced by a human, have also incorporated this vocal technique into their performances. This revelation about vocal fry usage opens up new discussions about gender perceptions in vocal styles.