Q&A 1.
Vocal Type vs Vocal Classification
Vocal Type vs Vocal Classification?
What’s the difference?
Vocal Type vs Vocal Classification.
There’s actually a big difference.
Inside this video learn the difference and why it’s important to your singing.
Hi, I’m Chuck Gilmore with PowerToSing.
I’ve just completed 103 video episodes about vocal technique and singing.
Along the way many of you have asked questions about singing.
In the coming weeks I’d like to answer your questions.
Please submit your questions in the comment section below this YouTube video or on my
Vlog at PowerToSing.com.
Let’s talk about the the definition of “Vocal Classification”.
Your vocal classification is the quality of your singing voice determined by several things
including your tessitura, timbre and range.
Your tessitura is the most musically acceptable and comfortable range for your voice... the
range in which your voice presents its best-sounding texture or timbre.
This is generally in the range where you speak.
It’s usually about four notes higher than the lowest note in your singing range.
Your timbre (/ˈtæmbər/ tam-bər) is your vocal tone color or tone quality of your voice.
Your Range is the pitches you can sing from the lowest to highest.
Here are two wikipedia links about voice classification in classical and non-classical music:
I don’t classify voices on my website for several reasons.
First in opera and classical genres, the classifications of soprano, alto, tenor and bass have many
sub-classifications.
Outside of opera and classical singing, these sub-classifications don’t apply to pop,
musical theater (generally), rock, R&B, gospel, jazz, indie and etc.
Also, (as of this video) I’m not experienced enough in classical and opera to designate
a vocal classification which also helps the singer understand which opera and roles in
the opera their vocal classification is best suited.
(That’s a mouthful) For example a coloratura soprano may be more vocally suited for Mozart’s
rather than Wagner’s operas.
Second, a voice changes over time.
For example, I’ve had many students who thought they were basses because they couldn’t
sing past the E above middle C. Within a few lessons they learn to sing through the first
bridge into their head voice and discover a whole new area and range in their voices.
The same is true for many female students who increase their range.
Also, when the voice get’s balanced, it changes and improves.
There’s less tension and more release in the voice.
The tone quality, timbre and even the tessitura finds it’s vocal “home base” so to speak.
Of course I can tell you your range but it often increases as your lessons progress.
In his book, Singing for the Stars, Seth Riggs says: “I don’t [classify singers].
At least not right away.
It’s wrong to prematurely classify a voice before you really get to know what it can
do.
Too often, existing range is the sole determining factor in placing a singer into a certain
category.
The most important factor to consider is the basic quality of the voice.
Assuming that your speaking voice is clear and unforced, your singing voice should be
based on the quality of that speaking voice.
(pp 76)
Let’s talk about the definition of “Vocal Type”.
I define “vocal type” as a description of what you tend to do when you sing higher
through the first bridge of your voice and into head voice.
If you tend to pull your chest voice or if the larynx tends to rise, then you are the
Pulled-Chest/High Larynx vocal type.
Other vocal types are Flip-Falsetto, Light Chest-No Chest and Mix.
Each of these describe your “Tends To” or what you tend to do when you sing higher.
This is important for you to know about your voice.
Once you know your vocal type, you can find exercises in my website, PowerToSing.com inside
the Knowledge Center.
These exercises are designed to correct the wrong things you tend to do, and quickly balance
your voice.
Balancing your voice gives you the ability to quickly eliminate vocal weaknesses which
improves your singing voice.
If you don’t know your vocal type you may waste a lot of time on exercises that cause
you to continue doing the wrong things.
If you do the exercises as demonstrated in PowerToSing.com they’ll cause you to stop
pulling chest, stop the rising larynx, stop the flipping and cracking and develop more
power in your voice.
If you haven’t yet discovered your vocal type, go to PowerToSing.com and take the vocal
test, which I call the PowerTest.
Take the quiz and discover your vocal type.
Then visit the Knowledge Center and learn about your vocal type.
Download the free exercises and start improving your voice immediately.
I’m Chuck Gilmore with Power To Sing.
You can sing higher with beauty, confidence and power.
I’ll see you inside the next video.
Subtitles by the Amara.org community