The Brain and the Voice in Speech and Song

The author sets out to demystify how we produce speech and song, guiding listeners through the anatomy of the vocal instrument with clear explanations and helpful illustrations. You’ll hear about the bellows of breath, the reed‑like action of the larynx, and the resonating cavities that shape tone and timbre, all described in language that avoids unnecessary jargon. By linking each part of the system to its function, the book offers a vivid picture of how the body turns air into sound, whether whispered or soaring.

Turning to the mind, the second part explores how the brain controls and refines that vocal machinery. It examines the localisation of speech centres, the relationship between handedness and language, and early theories on the evolutionary roots of spoken communication. The discussion of pathological changes and rare cases of deafness adds a practical dimension, making the material useful for both curious listeners and teachers of voice production.