Singing: what type of voice do you have?
You're new to singing and would like to know where to place your voice in a choir among the different vocal tessituras that exist. The problem is that you have no idea whether you have a soprano, tenor, contralto or baritone range. Beyond knowing your voice type more precisely, discovering your tessitura and vocal range enables you to sing in tune without necessarily straining your voice.
Discover the different types of voice and how to recognize yours quickly. Male and female voices: Newzik gives you advice on how to identify your voice range, with the help of a few vocal exercises.
What is a vocal range in singing?
Vocal tessitura is the range of notes that a voice is capable of reaching at a constant volume and in tune. In both opera and pop, there are many different vocal tessituras and ranges.
Each voice is unique and belongs to a very specific register. Can't reach Mariah Carey's high notes? This doesn't mean you sing out of tune, it just means you probably don't have the same vocal range as the American diva. Your tessitura is defined by the highest (treble) and lowest (bass) notes you can maintain.
There are three main classifications of voice tessitura (from highest to lowest pitch):
High range: Soprano - Contretenor
Medium range: Mezzo-soprano - Tenor
Low range: Baritone - Alto - Contralto - Bass
Why is it important to know your vocal range when singing? If you want to avoid damaging your vocal cords, it's vital to choose music that suits your vocal range! Discovering your vocal tessitura will help you to strengthen and, above all, avoid damaging your vocal cords. Knowing your vocal range will simply enable you to sing in tune without straining your voice. In all registers, it can be useful to know your vocal tessitura and range to find out which type of music best suits your voice.
What are the different vocal tessituras?
The tessitura corresponds to a range of notes, and adistinction is made between male and female voices. Men and women do not have the same voice, nor do they go through the same register variations. Among vocal tessituras, there are four types of male voice and three types of female voice. There are also sub-categories that allow us to precisely define the particularity of each voice, in terms of timbre or vocal power.
| Voice type | Description |
Grading scale based on scale Do, Ré, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Si. |
|---|---|---|
|
Countertenor |
The highest male voice, a clear voice that can reach high notes with ease. |
G 3 - D 6 |
|
Tenor |
The mid-range range that generally supports the melody, the voice of opera heroes. |
C 3 - B 4 |
|
Baritone |
The most common bass tessitura for men, different from bass-baritone. |
G 2 - E 4 |
|
Low |
The lowest range for men. |
E 2 - C 4 |
| Voice type | Description |
Grading scale based on scale Do, Ré, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Si. |
|---|---|---|
|
Soprano |
The highest female tessitura, able to reach very high notes with ease. |
C 4 - C 6 |
|
Mezzo-soprano |
A medium range between soprano and alto, corresponding to a rich, warm voice. |
La 3 - La 5 |
|
Alto (choir) and Contralto (solo voice) |
This is the lowest range for women, a deep voice that can reach low notes. |
F 3 - D 5 |
How to recognize your voice "type"?
At first sight, it seems difficult to judge the sound that comes out of our own mouths! The good news is that it's possible to assess your voice range and vocal tessitura by practicing a few exercises or consulting a vocal coach.
Make a vocal warmup
Before embarking on vocal exercises or singing, pay particular attention tovocal warmup. Just as an athlete warms up before physical exercise, a singer needs to prepare his or her voice to increase blood flow to the vocal cords, increase vocal flexibility and prevent vocal damage or fatigue.
Some warm-up exercises include glissandos, rising and falling scale, or trills on different vowels.
Determine your vocal range
Your tessitura is the range of notes you can sing comfortably. To determine it:
Start by singing a low note, without straining.
Gradually raise the scale until you reach your highest note (treble).
Note these two extremities, which define your tessitura.
💡 Keep in mind that your voice type doesn't place you in a strict category; there are many nuances and variations. The important thing is to understand your voice and work with it, rather than limiting yourself to a specific category.
Find your chest register
This is the voice you use to speak. In this register, the voice resonates mainly in the chest. Here's how to determine your register:
Sing a note as low as you can without straining.
Gradually move up until you feel a change in resonance or your voice starts to sound different.
Find your head register
The head register is the high, resonant voice often associated with operatic singing. It's the register that resonates primarily in the head, hence its name. Find out more :
Sing a note as high as you can without straining.
Gradually lower the scale until you feel a change in resonance.
Determine your pass marks
To determine your voice type, you can also find what are known as pass notes. The notes where you feel a change or "break" between your chest register and your head register are your passing notes. There may be more than one passing note, and they may vary as you go up or down scale.
Consult a professional vocal coach
If you wish to embark on a singing program at an advanced level, it is advisable to consult a singing teacher or vocal coach. Teachers can help you identify your notes precisely and give you advice on how to navigate between registers smoothly without damaging your voice.
🎙️ Need to work on your voice? Thanks to Newziksing the notes from your score, then transpose them instantly into the application. Train your vocal chords and sing along!
