Comparison of Vertical Laryngeal Positions Between Classical Turkish Music and Classical Western European Opera Singers.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the Vertical Laryngeal Position (VLP) used by professional Classical Turkish Music (CTM) and Classical Western European Opera (CWEO) singers during singing using endoscopic imaging techniques, and to determine whether there is a significant difference in VLP between these two vocal disciplines. METHODS: The study included a total of 13 professional singers (7 from CTM, 6 from CWEO) with at least 10 years of experience. Participants were asked to perform various vocal exercises (staccato/legato in low, medium, and high ranges) as well as a repertoire piece reflecting the stylistic characteristics of their genre during video-laryngostroboscopy (VLS). The obtained video recordings were viewed in a blinded manner by three Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) professors specializing in laryngology, who independently scored VLP levels on a scale of 1 to 5. Data were analyzed comparatively using statistical methods. RESULTS: Comparative analysis revealed statistically significant differences in VLP between the two groups. It was determined that the laryngeal positions of the CTM group were significantly higher compared to the CWEO (Opera) group during repertoire performance ($P = 0.048$), low-range staccato exercises ($P = 0.039$), and low-range legato exercises ($P = 0.028$) ($P < 0.05$). No significant difference was observed between the groups in medium and high-frequency exercises ($P > 0.05$). CONCLUSION: This study presents objective data on the VLP characteristics of CTM performers. The findings indicate that CTM singers use a significantly higher laryngeal position compared to CWEO singers, particularly during repertoire performance and in low tones. However, it is noteworthy that this difference disappears at high frequencies. While this divergence in low tones can be explained by genre-specific timbral preferences, the similarity in high tones is thought to stem from the combined effect of the obligatory nature of laryngeal physiology and the Western-based voice training curriculum implemented in conservatories in Türkiye. These data emphasize the importance of genre-specific approaches in voice pedagogy and therapy processes.