What is the result of increasing tension in the vocal cords?

Increasing tension in the vocal cords leads to an increased voice pitch because when the vocal folds are stretched and tightened, they vibrate at a higher frequency during phonation. This higher frequency results in a pitch that is perceived as higher in tone.

The fundamental frequency of vibration of the vocal cords is directly related to their length and tension; when the tension increases, the vocal folds become elongated and thinner, allowing them to vibrate more quickly. Consequently, this rapid vibration corresponds to a higher pitch of voice.

Understanding this mechanism is essential in fields like voice training, speech therapy, and vocal pedagogy, where manipulation of pitch is necessary for various forms of vocal performance and therapeutic interventions.