What's the real difference between talking and singing?

Question

This has been on my mind lately and I mean, how do you distinguish or explain the difference? I always thought that singer Johnny Cash mostly spoke his words, and didn't really sing. Is there a real difference that someone can actually define or quantify?

If there are any singers, vocalists, or vocal instructors, I would appreciate your thoughts on this.

Answer 1

Singing has a flow and matching rhythm that is enforced by the music, which normally repeats. Poetry is spoken without the flow of music. Good speaking is done from the diaphragm also. We do not much appreciate rhetoric these days, but find a recording of King's "I have a dream" speech and listen to how he uses the phrases and words to build that. Now replay it in your mind with music that would make it a song - opera?

Answer 2

Think of singing as prolonged speech, especially a prolongation of vowel sounds. Speaking requires less phonation and tone because we get to the consonant faster. If you were to move quickly pass the initial consonant of a word (say "cat") and dwell on the vowel a long time then you are getting closer to singing the word. Now if you "in tone" the vowel with a middle range pitch then you are now singing the word. The other difference between singing and speaking, is that singing overrides the voluntary breathing pattern we use when we speak. Singing requires more breath management than speaking.

Answer 3

I love to sing. The real difference is that you use your diaphragm when you sing (well, you're supposed to). Many people sing through their nose, but it makes them sound like a chipmunk. Also, syllabic stress is different and the tone and pitch that you use when you sing typically differs from your speaking voice. You're singing words with certain emphasis and pitches.

Answer 4

Talking is different from singing because your voice normally wouldn't constantly change. Singing uses the diaphragm more than talking and has many different pitches and notes in it.

Answer 5

Singing is a totally different way of using your vocal cords. That is why some people who have had damage done to their vocal cords can talk, but they can't sing.

Answer 6

Damn this question is OLD

Answer 7

.. and of course you also use your diaphragm to expel
the air in a controlled way, while varying the pitch
of the emissions with your vocal chords.

Back to wikipedia .. ;o)