Do you know the different types of singing voices, including the one you have? Do you know why it matters and how online voice lessons can help you master your craft? We’re here to break down the different voices and how you can use online voice lessons to become a better singer.
Different Types of Singing Voices and How Voice Lessons Help
Broadway performances are made up of various voices to create a harmonious form of entertainment. These are the different types of singing voices that make up a Broadway performance.
Soprano
Soprano is the highest singing voice for females, ranging between C4-C6. The soprano often gets a lot of attention because they frequently have the lead role in most Broadway performances. This is usually because higher female pitches have been historically connected with innocence and youth.
There are three separate categories within soprano, including coloratura soprano, lyric soprano, and dramatic soprano. History’s famous soprano singers include Cecilia Bartoli, Monsterrat Caballe, Victoria de Los Angeles, and Leontyne Price.
Mezzo-soprano
Mezza-soprano is a middle-range voice for females between A3-A5. Some performances may intertwine mezzo-sopranos with mezzos or altos. The mezzo-soprano produces a lower range than a soprano, making them the second lead in Broadway performances. The reduced range may also lead to more parts that portray a mother or villain.
Mezzo-soprano can be categorized into coloratura mezzo, dramatic mezzo, and lyric mezzo. One of the most famous mezzo-soprano singers in history is the ever-famous Gypsy Carmen. Other notable mezzo-sopranos include Joyce DiDonato, Marilyn Horne, and Whitney Houston. Mezzo-sopranos may benefit from online voice lessons to strengthen their singing type and move between them.
Alto
Alto is the lowest voice sung by a female with a range of F3-F5. Some altos can reach higher pitches and may be referred to as a contralto. There can be some confusion between a mezzo-soprano and an alto, but this is where comfort becomes an important factor. An alto may reach the range of a mezzo-soprano but is typically more comfortable when in alto.
The alto voice is considered less common, making it difficult to land lead roles. This may lead some to fill alto roles with dramatic mezzo-sopranos. Famous alto singers in history include Karen Carpenter, Neko Case, Tracy Chapman, and Adele more recently.
Tenor
Tenor is the highest male singing voice with a range between C3-C5. A tenor typically has better control over their head voice, which can help them achieve higher notes than female singers traditionally sing. Tenors who can reach higher may also be coined as a countertenor. Tenors often play a lead male role next to the soprano and are commonly the love interest.
Tenor can be categorized into lyric tenors or dramatic tenors, which refers to the ringing quality in the voice when reaching upper ranges. Famous tenors in history include Sergei Lemeshev, Manuel Garcia, Wolfgang Windgassen, and Justin Timberlake.
Baritone
Males commonly perform the baritone because of its tessitura range of A2-A4. A baritone voice is somewhere between high tenor and low bass. You’ll often find the baritone as the comedian in a Broadway performance, much due to the dramatic pitch and range of the voice. A baritone is one of the most common types of male voices.
Common baritone performers include John Legend and Hozier. One of the most famous baritones in history is Rigoletto, who played a jester in a famous opera. Another famous baritone is Justin Bieber, although he is commonly referred to as a light lyric baritone vocal type.
Bass
Bass is the lowest male voice in a group with a typical vocal range between E2-E4. Many bass singers are a combination of bass-baritone because they have similar sounds. The bass is typically cast as a noble character in Broadway performances. A few of the most common bass voices include Johnny Cash and Barry White.
Online voice lessons are a great way to learn your singing type while exploring others.
Why Is It Important to Know the Types of Singing Voices?
One of the first things you’ll do as you pursue a career or hobby in music is to identify the type of your singing voice. There are a few reasons why having this information is important, including:
To Know Your Range
Your singing type can help you learn your range. Range refers to the full spectrum of notes you can produce. Pursing sounds or notes that exceed your range can lead to discomfort or injury. We believe that regardless of your preferred singing type or range, you should always be comfortable when performing.
Many singers falsely assume a range based on previous performances or what someone once told them about how they sing. While it’s good to start somewhere, we don’t like to limit talent because a high school teacher chose performance positions based on what was available. With the right introspection and training, you may find that you can reach high notes, even though you have always been cast as a bass. Online voice lessons can help you dive deep into gathering this information.
To Maximize Your Training
Voice type has historically been used to cast singers in a position that best suits them and their performance. Knowing your type of singing voice can help you maximize your professional training. It can help you decide which singers to follow and learn from. It can also help you get the most out of online voice lessons.
To Perform at Your Best
Whether your goal is to perfect a hobby or perform on Broadway, you’ll perform at your best when you know your singing voice. Knowing your voice and vocal range can help you choose the songs or parts you’re likely to be most comfortable performing. In addition to sounding better, this can also help you have a more positive experience.
What Goes Into the Types of Singing Voices?
A lot goes into your singing voice. A few of the most important factors include:
Vocal weight
Vocal weight is the perceived character of your voice. This mostly refers to the lightness or heaviness of your sounds.
Range
Range refers to your vocal category. It’s a formal measurement of the notes you can realistically hit without straining your voice.
Timbre
Timbre is the color of different tones. It refers to other characteristics between the same notes.
Speaking Voice
Speaking voice or the size of your volume is the dramatic intensity you give off when speaking or singing.
Tessitura
Tessitura refers to the marker you reach with each note, including swapping between the chest or head voices. This also includes skills in transitions between each.
Vocal register
A vocal register is a breaking point or range of tones that create the pattern of different songs. Age and experience can also factor into your singing type. Physical qualities can also influence the singing type, with height and weight affecting how air and breathing resonate with your voice.
The physical layout of your lips and vocal folds also influence the range and notes that you can comfortably hit. Online voice lessons can help evaluate the many factors that go into your singing voice.
How Can You Find Your Singing Voice?
Are you not sure what your singing voice is but want to find out? One of the best ways is to experiment and find what works and what doesn’t. Evaluating comfort in addition to ability is also important. Formal training with online voice lessons can help you identify your singing voice and then master it. Here are a few other techniques that we use to find your voice:
Find Your Chest and Head Voice
Finding your chest and head voice can help you find a voice that best coordinates them together.
Fach System
The Fach System was first introduced in the 19th century and classified performers into the right opera positions. The system breaks singing voices into six categories, including vocal range and vocal registers, to ensure performers audition for the best parts.
Identify Your Range
Identifying your vocal range, including your lowest and highest note, is an important indicator of your voice. By comparing these notes, we can then compare them to the traditional range to identify where you’re most likely to be comfortable.
Professional Training
Sometimes, it can be difficult to measure your singing voice. Working with a trained professional familiar with identifying the different vocal weights, ranges, and factors that go into your voice can help you determine the best voice for you. This can also provide you with the resources to maximize your training and land the best positions for you.
Learning your range and singing voice is one of the first things to do as you begin your singing career. With this information and online voice lessons, you can improve your skills and land the parts you want most.
Learn online singing lessons from the best with Broadway Lessons. Voice lessons and singing training can help you learn more about who you are as a singer and how you can best master performing skills.
What Are the Different Types of Singing Voices: What Type Are You? | Broadway Lessons