Spontaneous Speaking Fundamental Frequency of 6-Year-Old Black Children

The fundamental vocal frequency characteristics were measured from 50 male and 50 female Black 6-year-old children during prompted spontaneous speech. Boys had a mean fundamental frequency of 219.50 Hz, with a mean range of 134.80-298-70 Hz. Girls had a mean fundamental frequency (Fo) of 211.30 Hz and a mean frequency range of 137.60-297.50 Hz. No significant differences in mean or range values were found as a function of speaker sex. Nonsignificant relationships were found between physical variables of speaker height and weight and these Fo measures for either sex and for the speaker group combined. The results of the present study were compared to previous research concerning the speaking fundamental vocal frequency of White children.