Understanding Voice Type, Range, and Tessitura for Singers
As a professional or aspiring singer, understanding your voice type, range, and tessitura is crucial for growth, development, and performing at your best. Whether you are a seasoned vocalist or just starting your journey, knowing these aspects can help you optimize your techniques and find the right repertoire for your voice. This article will delve into these key elements to provide a comprehensive guide.
What is Voice Type?
The most fundamental concept in vocal classification is voice type. Voice type is a qualitative and quantitative assessment of a singer's vocal range, tessitura, and timbre. There are several voice types, each with distinct characteristics. The two main voice types for male singers are tenor and baritone, while for female singers, the range can be soprano, mezzo-soprano, or contralto.
Exploring Vocal Range
Vocal range refers to the lowest and highest pitches that a singer can comfortably produce. A singer's range is often described in terms of musical notes. For example, a tenor might have a range from C2 to F7, while a baritone can reach from C2 to E6.
Personal Voices Shared
I am a Tenor still in training with my teacher. Currently 15.
My vocal range is G2 to Eb7/E7/F7, with Bb7 as the highest.
Another Soul has a voice type of dramatic baritone on the bass-baritone end. Their full vocal range is C1 to D6, with a consistent range of E2 to A5, and tessitura between A3 and E4.
A Light Tenor states that their range is from E2 to G5 in full voice, equivalent to about three and a half octaves. Their teacher compares their sound to Tozzi, suggesting a lyric bass or bass-baritone with a strong tessitura of G2 to Bb3.
Solo Performer notes their solo performance range is D2 to F4, with a capability to extend their range by a whole tone in each direction. Their tessitura is around G2 to Bb3 with a break from C4 to F4.
Key Concept: Tessitura
Tessitura is the range of pitches that a singer can comfortably sing, including those that they use predominantly in their performance. It is the most comfortable and natural range for the voice. In some cases, it may be below or above the middle of a singer's range, as indicated by the different ranges mentioned by the singers above.
Tessitura is essentially the series of notes that a singer is most comfortable singing, often including vocal breaks and shifts between chest and head voice. These breaks should be seamlessly transitioned, allowing the singer to maintain a consistent sound and performance.
Register and Vocal Technique
The transition between chest and head voice is known as the passaggio. This is an important concept for singers, especially those with wide vocal ranges. A Passaggio refers to a specific range where the transition from one vocal register to another is required. For instance, a tenor's passaggio is often around A3 to Eb4, and a light tenor’s is around G2 to Bb3.
The ability to enter the head voice is dependent on the retuning of formant spaces. This means that singers must adjust the resonances in their vocal tract to magnify the upper harmonics of their fundamentally lower notes. This "magnification" is different from "amplification," as it involves resonating and filtering the energy rather than adding extra energy to the sound.
Conclusion
Understanding your voice type, range, and tessitura is essential for any singer, whether you are just starting out or have been singing for a long time. By grasping these concepts, you can better develop your voice and find the right repertoire that suits your unique sound. Whether you are a tenor, baritone, light tenor, or any other voice type, knowing these key elements can enhance your vocal journey.