Did you know that both male and female voices change as part of the growing up process?

A male's voice drops an 'octave' (about eight notes) in pitch when it 'breaks.' At the same time the larynx (voice box) tilts, hence the new formed 'adam's apple.'

A female's voice changes as well but it is not as obvious because we can not hear the distinctive 'change of voice' obvious in the male voice.

How does this affect the singing voice?

The larynx physically changes along with the rest of the body, between the age of 9 - 16 years. The 'vocal folds', which are a part of the larynx, also develop and change shape during this time until they are at their 'adult' shape and size.

During these growing years people hearing the child's changing voice may hear various unusual sounds not normally associated with the child's voice such as a breathy tone (sound) and breaks in the tone. The quality of the tone may also change and the range the singer is used to singing will also change throughout this period.

How to approach the changing voice?

The singing teacher or listener of a 'growing' person can expect an inconsistency in range, tone and ability from the voice. Once they are aware of this, they and the student should expect that the voice won't be as good as they know it would otherwise be, and not push it to achieve more.

Once the larynx is fully developed, the voice will have its own new unique quality, tone and range which has become the new 'adult' voice.