Vocal percussion and Urethral sponge: Difference between pages

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Revision as of 08:54, 23 November 2005

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[[Image:Fem isa 2.gif|right|thumb|300px|Female internal reproductive anatomy]]

'''Vocal percussion''' is the art of creating sounds with one's mouth that approximate, imitate, or otherwise serve the same purpose as a percussion instrument, whether in a group of singers, an instrumental ensemble, or solo. The term "[[Beatboxing]]" is often used as a synonym for vocal percussion, but in fact is just one type, often used to accompany [[hip-hop]] music. Vocal percussion is used by most college and professional [[a cappella]] groups, in order to attempt a more complete fascimile of the pop music that these groups primarily perform. It is not necessary to attempt to imitate real instruments; in fact, vocal percussion can be used to create unique sounds. When it is used to imitate a drumset used in most rock or pop music (i.e. music with the emphasis on the 2nd and 4th beat of every four-beat measure), however, vocal percussion has three basic sounds: bass drum, snare drum, and cymbal. Variations on these sounds can be used to approximate other elements of a drum kit. A higher bass drum sounds like a floor tom; cymbal sounds can either be made short like a high hat (employing a sharp ts-ts-ts sound) or long like a crash or ride cymbal (attacked with a psh or a ksh sound).

The '''urethral sponge''' is a spongy cushion of [[biological tissue|tissue]], found in the lower [[genitals|genital area]] of [[women]], that sits against both the [[pubic bone]] and [[vagina]]l wall, and surrounds the [[urethra]].

Vocal percussion also is part of many world music traditions, most notably in the percussion traditions of North India (bols) and South India (solkattu). Syllables are used to learn percussion compositions, and each syllable signifies what stroke or combination of strokes the percussionist must use.

The urethral sponge is composed of [[erectile tissue]]; during [[sexual arousal|arousal]], it becomes swollen with [[blood]], compressing the urethra, helping prevent [[urination]] during [[sexual activity]] (along with the pubococcygeus muscle). Additionally, the urethral sponge contains the [[Skene's gland]]s, which with continued [[stimulation]], may produce an [[ejaculate]] (usually clear in color) and release it through the [[urethra]] during sexual activity or [[orgasm]]. Once considered to be [[urinary incontinence]], the ejaculate is not [[urine]], although it is sometimes mixed with urine, and is similar to that produced by the [[prostate]] in [[men]]. This is said to be a ''[[female ejaculation]]''.

The art of speaking these syllables is called konnakol in South India, and traditional dance ensembles sometimes have a dedicated konnakol singer, although this practice is now waning. At one time it was a very respected art form, with many masters and singers.

The urethral sponge encompasses a large number of pleasurable [[nerve|nerve ending]]s, and can, therefore, be stimulated through the front wall of the [[vagina]]. Some women enjoy the [[doggy position|rear-entry position]] of [[sexual intercourse]] for this reason, because the [[penis]] is often angled slightly downward and can stimulate the front wall of the [[vagina]], and in turn, the urethral sponge.

In North India, the practice of reciting bols is usually limited to the percussionist reciting the composition about to be played, often in the context of a longer solo. These recitations are also sometimes spoken by a Kathak dancer.

In fact, the urethral sponge is often synonymously called the [[G-spot]] (Gräfenberg spot), although some say that the two are separate. Some women experience intense [[pleasure]] from stimulation of the urethral sponge and others find the sensation irritating. The urethral sponge also surrounds the clitoral nerve, and since the two are so closely interconnected, stimulation of the [[clitoris]] may stimulate the nerve endings of the urethral sponge.

[[Category:Singing]]

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== External link ==

http://home.uchicago.edu/~bstevens/vp.html

http://beatbox.tv/V4/main.html

[[Category:SingingGynecology]]