Perceptual study of vocal fry.

Three assumptions constitute the basis for a research program of which this study is a part. Vocal fry (1) is a normal mode of laryngeal production; (2) it consists of a register of very low fundamental frequencies, and (3) it consists of a train of relatively discrete laryngeal pulses with nearly complete damping between successive glottal excitations. In order to obtain perceptual evidence relevant to the latter point, listeners were asked to match the repetition rate of a variable pulse train (electronically produced) to the fundamental of eight samples of vocal fry. The resultant data supported the hypothesis that repetition rate can be successfully assigned to vocal fry. In addition, evidence was obtained indicating that vocal fry occurs within a low‐frequency phonatory register, is perceived similarly in relation to single or double glottic pulses, and is regular, rather than aperiodic, in nature.