helium speech
Inhaled balloon effect
Helium speech is the high-pitched, squeaky voice produced when someone inhales helium gas and speaks.
The effect occurs because sound travels faster through helium than through air, raising the resonant frequencies of the vocal tract: She took a breath from the balloon and said happy birthday in helium speech.
The novelty is a party staple, though inhaling too much helium can cause dizziness or fainting.
- lighter than airLess dense than atmosphere
- sound wavesPressure disturbances carrying noise
- falsettoArtificially elevated singing register
- voice modulationVarying pitch and tone
- pitchFrequency of sound
squeaky voice · funny voice · timbre · frequency · vocal mimicry · vocal cords · resonance · density · comedy · novelty acts · science demonstrations · science fair · party balloon · party tricks · noble gas · acoustics · entertainment · public performances