Learn How to Sing in the Fastest and Easiest Way
At eHow to Sing you will find everything that you need to learn how to sing like a pro. Find all of the lessons, tips, vocal workouts and techniques that you have always wanted, all in one single place. Our lessons are very easy to follow making learning to sing fun and enjoyable.
Different Types of Voices
Types of voices can be classified by using different criteria such as vocal range, tessitura, timbre, etc.
Timbre
Timbre distinguishes the color and quality of one sound to another and is formed by several harmonics (a distinct number of frequencies).
Remember that the size of your vocal range doesn’t determine if you are a good singer or not. There are many excellent singers with limited or small vocal ranges.
Tessitura
There is another way to classify the voice called tessitura. Tessitura, in singing, refers to the range in which a singer presents the best sound, where they feel the most comfortable singing, and where a good timbre and volume can be heard. This is a smaller group of notes than the whole vocal range.
There are basically three types of male voices and three types of female voices that are the most common.
Male voices:
Tenor
Baritone
Bass
Female voices:
Soprano
Mezzo soprano
Contralto
As we have explained before, we can use the piano keyboard to find the notes that correspond with our vocal range. For example, the middle C note is in the middle of the keyboard, the fourth C, and is called C4.
Tenor is the highest voice of a male. Their vocal range can be between C3 and C5.
Baritone is the most common type of male voice and can be found between the notes of G2 to G4.
Bass is the deepest voice for a male and the vocal range is approximately E2 to E4. This is not a very common type of voice for a man.
Soprano is the highest female voice, their typical vocal range lies between A3 and F6.
Mezzo soprano probably is the most common type of voice in a woman and the vocal range is usually between the notes G3 and A5.
Contralto is the deepest female voice and is not very typical. Their vocal range can rest between the notes of E3 and G5.
As you can see, there are many different ways to classify different kinds of voices. The quality of our voice depends upon many factors and our vocal range is merely a way to measure the spectrum of notes which we can sing.
We would like to note that you can always improve the quality of your voice and extend your vocal range when learning how to sing with the appropriate vocal training and practice.
How to Sing: Learning About the Vocal Range
Determining your vocal range can help you pick the most suitable songs for your voice and give you confidence while singing them.
The vocal range varies for each person. Many singers do not even know their own vocal range, which is the amount of continuous notes that can be reached while singing.
It is very important to sing knowing your vocal range. To determine or to find your vocal range, first we need a harmonic instrument such as the piano or a guitar to accompany us.
We have to understand that each voice has its limitations, although it can be broadened or perfected with practice. In the simplest way, voices can be grouped into two categories: high and low.
It is important to note that a person with a deep voice should not try to sing very high notes, since over time there is a possibility of suffering injury to their voice and/or vocal cords. In the same way, a person with a high voice should not try to sing very low notes. It is crucial that you always maintain the health and care of your voice.
Finding your Vocal Range Using the Piano
The vocal range, as we mentioned previously, is the amount of consecutive notes that you can sing. For example, using the piano, start out singing the middle C note (this is the C note that is approximately halfway down the keyboard, it is the 4th C on a standard piano, also called C4). Continue down the keyboard toward the lower notes, or to the left as long as your voice stays audible. The last specific note in which your voice is audible is the lowest note of your vocal range.
It is best to start with the lower notes since they don’t strain your voice very easily and at the same time this serves as a warm up before you begin the high notes.
The next step is to start again in middle C and go towards the high notes, or to the right of the keyboard, as long as you are capable of producing an audible and clear sound. You should include your head voice and also falsetto; don’t forget to breathe correctly and avoid straining your voice as you reach the highest notes.
What is my Vocal Range Exactly?
You can now figure that your vocal range would be from the lowest note that you reached on the keyboard to the highest. You can count how many octaves there are between all of the notes that you have sung.
An octave is a consecutive series of twelve semi-tones, either towards the high notes or towards the low notes, from the middle C (which is C4), for example, until you get to C5.
You should not limit yourself to the vocal range in this exercise, since with more practice and vocal training you can amplify it even more. We will later explore the most common types of voices. Knowing more about the type of voice that you have and discovering your vocal range is very helpful when you are learning how to sing the right way.


