Supraglottic adjustments in contemporary singing
a scoping review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23925/2176-2724.2026v38i1e73357Keywords:
Voice, Singing, Music, Speech-Language and Hearing Sciences, Scoping ReviewAbstract
Introduction: Contemporary singing, in its popular and crossover forms, is characterized by the use of supraglottic adjustments that influence vocal aesthetics, projection, and health. These mechanisms–such as epilaryngeal narrowing, anteroposterior and mediolateral compressions, and pharyngeal constrictions–differentiate musical styles and have been increasingly investigated in Vocal Pedagogy and Speech-Language Pathology, although the literature presents significant methodological heterogeneity. Objective: To map, through a scoping review, the available evidence on supraglottic adjustments employed by popular and crossover singers in contemporary singing. Method: The search was conducted in April 2025, covering publications from 1992 to 2024, in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases, as well as in gray literature (Google Scholar, MedRxiv, and ProQuest). Controlled and uncontrolled descriptors in English and Portuguese, related to “singers” and “vocal adjustments,” were used. Primary studies and systematic reviews addressing supraglottic adjustments in popular and crossover singers, professional or amateur, were included. Exclusion criteria comprised studies limited to classical singers or focusing on glottic, subglottic, or psychoacoustic adjustments, as well as theoretical essays, editorials, and commentaries. Two independent reviewers performed screening and data extraction. Results: A total of 28 studies were included, mostly empirical and experimental, with variability in design and musical styles. The most frequent adjustments were epilaryngeal narrowing, anteroposterior and mediolateral laryngeal compressions, and pharyngeal constrictions, described across different vocal techniques and cultural traditions. Conclusion: The evidence indicates that supraglottic adjustments are key determinants of vocal production in contemporary singing, playing an essential role in sound projection, stylistic differentiation, and physiological adaptation to acoustic demands. Despite methodological heterogeneity, a consensus emerges regarding their importance for understanding performance, training, and vocal health in popular and crossover singers.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Aline Silva, Isabel Vitoria Rios do Nascimento, Sophia May Raposo Hayman, Lauro Ariel Coelho da Silva
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