Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Can the blowing bottletops experiment be modified and used to prove that the length, thickness or flexibility of the vocal cords can effect the pitch of singing? Are vocal cords examples of closed end air columns?

I don't see any immediately obvious correlation between an open air column and vocal cords. Vocal cords work much more like how a wind instrument works, by have the parts of the vocal cords vibrate against each other alternately allowing air through and building up pressure for the next cycle. A kazoo or air blown over a rubber band on a cup would be a much closer experiment.

Unfortunately, I can't find an experiment here on Science Buddies about the rubber band experiment. There is one here: http://www.challengerlearningcenter.com ... eSound.pdf that seems to be similar to what you're looking for.