Perfil e saúde vocal de cantores de Cururu

Abstract

The present study seeks to examine the interfaces voice/health/culture with a focus on the use of voice in the Cururu, a caipira (country) style popular folkloric chant characterized by “impulsivity” and improvisation, in a trovadoresque-like “challenge” marked by violas. The objective of the research is to characterize the vocal profile and the conditions of vocal health of singers of Cururu from Piracicaba (São Paulo State). Material and method: the voices of eight cururu singers were recorded during an interview and while singing for content/thematic and percipient-auditory analysis of the vocal profile, taking into account the parameters of pitch, loudness, articulation, modulation, resonance, speech speed/rhythm, breath, pneumophonic coordination, vocal quality, posture and facial and corporal expressivity. Results: Subjects have a mean age of 66 years, low level of schooling, no musical formal education or singing training, use voice in daily and working contexts without professional use. The majority presented a positive vocal image and did not refer complaints or vocal symptoms although they feel negative impacts of singing Cururu regarding vocal health and live in conditions deeply adverse to vocal health. The cares of vocal health are insufficient, with a mixture and distortion of aspects of popular and scientific knowledge. The vocal parameters of breath and articulation are altered and they need to improve the posture and facial and corporal expressivity. Conclusions: the vocal profile and vocal health of Cururu singers shows problems.