Factors influencing fundamental frequency range estimates in children

Selected elicitation conditions were manipulated to determine their effect on fundamental frequency (F(o)) range estimates in children. Forty normal children each responded to five audiotaped tone conditions: (1) discrete steps, (b) slow steps, (c) fast steps, (d) slow glissando, and (e) fast glissando. These tonal stimuli were devised to elicit each child's maximal and minimal F(o). The traditional discrete-steps condition was associated with a lower maximal F(o), higher minimal F(o), and a more restricted F(o) range than all other conditions.