- The baritone voice type has a beautiful, rich timbre,
that tenors like me can only dream of.
Why is it, then, that so many men with
a baritone voice spend their time
wishing they could sing high like tenors?
Surely there's more to being a great singer
than uber-high notes.
Well, there is, and this video is all about
getting the most out of the baritone voice.
If you're a baritone, then I highly recommend
watching this video to the very end.
- [Announcer] ♫ Sound check.
♫ Check one, check two.
- Good day there.
My name is Dr. Dan, and I'm a contemporary
singing voice specialist.
It's my passion in life to help you realize
the full potential of your singing voice.
But you'll never realize that potential
if you're constantly trying to be something
or someone that you're not.
With over 20 years of teaching experience,
it's been my observation that, for males at least,
much of their time when seeking to
develop their singing is spent in trying to sing
outside the anatomical boundaries of their voice.
The baritone voice, as a voice classification,
wasn't formally recognized until the
beginning of the 19th century.
Dr. Matthew Hawk observes that
"During the first two centuries of opera history,
baritones were not labeled as such
and were simply known as 'basses.'
All bass roles, regardless of range and tessitura,
were lumped together in one category."
Now, I think this is an interesting and helpful point
when discussing voice classification
in general and baritones more specifically,
because I'm never keen to put any voice in a strict box.
Sure, I've done videos on this channel before
where we've discussed voice types,
but I'm always keen for us to be general
when applying the information,
especially when it comes to contemporary singing.
This video has come about because
I regularly receive comments and questions
on the Voice Essentials channel about the baritone voice.
It seems, at least to me, that there are many guys
dissatisfied with their anatomical lot in life,
and I don't believe it needs to be that way.
And no, I'm not just saying that
because I'm a tenor with a voice
that can reach really high notes.
Personally, I often listen to baritones
with a profound sense of admiration,
because I know that they can achieve colors
with their voice, that I can only dream of.
So, as we proceed with today's video,
I want to state again, as I have many times before
that discussing voice types has limited value
within popular culture music.
Contemporary genres typically celebrate
diversity and unique sounds, and you should never
allow your anatomy to limit the type of music that you sing.
With this said, let's take a closer look
at the baritone `voice.
- [Announcer] ♫ Essentials.
- One of the challenges we face
when seeking to define the baritone voice
is the many and varied vocal ranges
that can be found in the literature.
While doing the research for this video,
I came across a number of different vocal ranges.
For example, Professor Inge Titze presents
the following graph in Principles of Voice Production
showing the baritone voice range
to be approximately between G2 and G4.
The next graphic is taken from the
Thurman and Welch text Bodymind and Voice.
You'll notice that this graph suggests
that the baritone vocal range is from F2 to A4,
with a potential G5 in falsetto.
And this third graph, found in Dr. Matthew Edwards'
book, So You Want to Sing Rock 'n' Roll
has the baritone singing from B2 up to a G4.
So, here we have three different vocal classifications
from three leading authors.
Who's right?
Well, they all are, and that's the point.
You can't lock the human voice into a rigid system.
For example, when discussing male vocal ranges,
Dr. Edwards writes, "Rock voices are unique;
they do not fit into a box. In rock 'n' roll there are
basses and baritones with both bright
and warm voices and tenors with dark gravely voices.
There are male and female singers whose ranges
defy traditional descriptions."
Edwards, then, goes on to make this critical point,
"Unless you are attempting to make a career
covering the songs of other artists,
you should not worry about labeling your vocal range.
Instead, focus on developing your voice
to its full potential and writing
songs that work for you."
- [Announcer] Sound check.
- Having a baritone voice doesn't make you
a second class citizen, and it
certainly doesn't make you a second rate singer.
But I know that's easier said than done
when it seems that the general public is fascinated
with the higher voice classification of tenor.
And here's the thing, if you want to be
real rock 'n' roll, go against the flow.
Don't subscribe to what the masses tell
they want or need.
I dare you to name one breakthrough artist
who built a career on sounding
just like the next guy or girl.
My advice, stop fighting your anatomy.
Embrace who you are.
If you're a baritone, then explore your biology
and all that it has to give to to its fullest.
If that means being and sounding different,
good, different is good.
Secondly, stop fixating on range.
Instead, focus on developing the many other areas
that lead to quality vocals.
Workshop your dynamics, timbre, and style.
More importantly, developing the skill of storytelling.
Great singing is not about perfect notes,
and it's certainly not at all about high notes.
No, excellent contemporary vocals
are driven by the narrative and the capacity
of the singer to communicate the story.
Thirdly, don't hesitate to transpose songs
into more comfortable keys.
I'm constantly changing the keys of songs here in the studio
for my private singing students.
Some of you might even be shocked to learn
that many of your favorite artists
are doing the very same thing.
More often than not, the key you listen to on recordings
is performed live three to four steps down.
That's right, most of today's touring artists
have recorded keys and performance keys.
It's not about cheating, it's just smart.
And if they can do it, so can you.
And if singing other artist's songs
continues to prove too difficult regardless of key,
then I encourage you to start writing your own material.
I know this can sound a little scary, but it needn't be.
Everyone can learn to write songs,
and if you don't play an instrument,
collaborate with a friend who does.
Some of the best songs have been written
by two people collaborating, with one
writing the music and the other writing the lyrics.
At the end of the day, your voice type
should not, and is not, a hurdle to
your learning to sing journey.
Baritone, tenor, base, it doesn't matter.
I encourage you to stop fixating
on the classification, and just sing.
Be the best singer you can possibly be.
I've put together a video playlist
for you to watch after this video.
The playlist will cover voice classification
a little further, how to find your comfortable range,
as well as a couple of other instructional videos
I think you'll find helpful
as you embrace your full vocal potential.
Here at Voice Essentials, everybody sings,
not just tenors and sopranos.
I hope today's video has encouraged you,
especially if your anatomy
classifies your voice as baritone.
If you've enjoyed today's video,
then I'd invite you to subscribe to my channel.
I release new videos just like this one once a week,
and with nearly 300 Learn to Sing videos
already on the channel, I know you'll learn something
as you continue your learning to sing journey.
I hope to see you again soon.
I'm Dr. Dan. Sing Well.