Voice in microgravity
In what way and how much the postural system influences the vocal emission is a mystery that has not yet been fully revealed. Nevertheless, it is interesting to evaluate – under conditions of zero gravity – how the characteristics of the singer can be different with respect to the same action, which is expressed on Planet Earth.
A singer in the space? Well, this is the Col Chris Hadfield who released a music video recorded of the famous “Space Oddity”, by David Bowie.
My doubts about the recording of the vocal track have been clarified by the staff, confirming that the take of the voice track was recorded on the Station,
therefore under conditions of zero gravity and without the commitment of the muscular system with postural antigravity purposes.
Link to the video of “Space Oddity”
Most interestingly, he sings and publishes songs, available on his website http://chrishadfield.ca/music/
It is now up to yourselves to evaluate vocal characteristics under conditions of zero gravity with respect to those on Planet Earth.
Do the characteristics change? Yes, in my view, yes. We need to work on how to objectively assess them.
The postural system, under normal conditions on Earth, acts as structural support and as synergistic element for the vocal emission. Under conditions of zero gravity the support function fails and the postural scheme that is typical of the astronauts prevails, in hip and knee flexion, as can be seen in the video and in the photos. This may cause the modification of vocal characteristics in song.
We move more on the boundaries of knowledge. If the song “feeds on support”, we feed on our curiosity.
Mauro Banfi Osteopathy for performers 