In my previous blog I suggested, based on the evidence of the few thousand years of our existence as a species, we are still evolving. And that unless we change our ways we are liable to go extinct before we reach stability within our environment – the Earth. While thinking about our ongoing evolution, it is interesting to to examine those features which we have perfected so far. One in particular interests me greatly – our voice – the ability to make sounds with the voice box, the larynx. We are probably unique in that we can make sounds (pitches) both high and low, both quiet and loud, and change both pitch and volume rapidly, purposefully and with the addition of emotion. The human voice is a subtle and powerful means of communication, compared with our distant animal ancestors. Of course, it is not possible to know how and why hominims such as Neanderthals and Denisovans communicated, and what sort of voices they had – the larynx is probably the organ least likely to survive fossilisation and there are no CDs. However, a few ancient instruments have survived, which suggests music at least was important to our ancestors.

But that is not the end of the topic. Why and how have we evolved such a versatile organ and its output, the voice? As anyone who sings or is merely interested in singing and singers, we should ask why we have this ability? Surely the voice has evolved to be used for more than regular communication? Perhaps we have the ability to mimic other animals in order that they may be captured and eaten. Perhaps a powerful voice, alone, or from a group, could have been used to scare away predators. Try watching and listening to the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team performing a haka (war song) before a match! And then of course, there is the love song. Perhaps women and men have evolved gentle voices in order to attract partners prior to mating? Perhaps the singing voice is important in soothing children before they can speak?

And a final comment, guaranteed to provoke controversy! As a singer, I say to all those who “Can’t/don’t sing’ that they could and should take the opportunity, as we have all evolved the apparatus and the ability to control the voice. Let yourself be heard!