Vocal Intensity as Quranic Syllable Duration Control: A Spectrographic Analysis

Abstract

Pronunciation duration is an important aspect in Quranic recitation as it is one of the elements in tajwid rules obligatory of fulfillment. Error in pronunciation duration will lead to change of meaning in Quranic verse. Error in tajwid rules related to harakat value, is high among the community even though various methods are available to facilitate learning process. However, there are still phonetic aspects not yet discovered through technology such as vocal intensity which is potential for development as control method for duration in Quranic recitation. Thus, this study aims to investigate the relationship between vocal intensity and pronunciation duration through spectrographic analysis. This study employed quantitative approach where vocal intensity for two-harakat syllable was compared to one-harakat syllable through paired T test. The respondents of this study were famous imams from renowned mosques of the world where the recitation were obtained as mp3 file from the internet. This study found that vocal intensity for two-harakat syllable was significantly higher than for one-harakat syllable for the two sample verses analysed. This showed that the intensity of a syllable correlates to its duration. This finding suggests an intensity-based duration control method to improve Quranic recitation.