Wednesday 20 September 2017
THE BBC is to take an intriguing look at the science behind the human voice with the help of Manchester Science Festival and the University of Salford.
Trailing the Electrifying the Voice event on BBC Breakfast and the Today Programme, Professor Trevor Cox explained some of the secrets that make the human voice the most amazing ‘instrument’ of all.
Trevor, who is professor of acoustic engineering at the University of Salford, leads a live-streaming first to test whether a soprano really can shatter glass with the power of their voice.
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Electrifying the Voice is part of Manchester Science Festival (October 19-29) run by the Manchester Museum of Science & Industry and sponsored by The University of Salford.
Prof Cox will also investigate other workings of the human voice, including how microphones have changed the way people sing and why operatic voice makes your hairs stand on end, as part of BBC science coverage on digital channel Tomorrow’s World.
Watch this space
But can a naked human voice have the same power?
Prof Cox explains: “Singing at a particular tone and volume will vibrate molecules in the glass but whether they will shatter the glass, we shall have to wait and see.”