Archived

This content is available here for research, reference, and/or recordkeeping.

Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0009-0001-3703-7654

Date Available

5-13-2026

Year of Publication

2026

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Communication Sciences & Disorders (MSCSD)

College

Health Sciences

Department/School/Program

Communication Sciences & Disorders

Faculty

Keiko Ishikawa

Faculty

Janine L. Schmedding-Bartley

Abstract

Tonal focus is a complex construct that has variable definitions and interpretations across professions and within existing literature. Although tonal focus is widely described both clinically and pedagogically, both fields differ in their perspectives and goals related to the concept. This study aims to understand singers’ and speech language pathologists’ (SLP) conceptual perception and acoustic demonstration of tonal focus. Eleven SLPs and six singers were recruited to participate in the study. Participants completed an interview with the primary investigator and were recorded producing forward, neutral, and backward tonal focus in various contexts. Acoustic and qualitative analysis indicated that tonal focus is an acoustically measurable phenomenon linked to vocal efficiency, with notable similarities and differences between professional groups.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2026.242

Archival?

Archival

Funding Information

This study has been reviewed and approved by the University of Kentucky Institutional Review Board (IRB Protocol #85376). 

Download

Share

COinS