What Is My Vocal Classification? Get Your Range Now!
What is My Vocal Classification? – Get Your Range Now! Are you a Soprano, Mezzo Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone or Bass?
A common question I frequently get from you is “What is my vocal classification? Am I a soprano, mezzo soprano, alto, tenor, baritone or bass?”
Inside this video I’ll sing or play the notes for each vocal classification so you’ll know the range of your voice. Come find your range.
I’ll sing or play the notes for each vocal classification. You sing along to see where your voice is most comfortable. Where you can sing the most notes without breaking or straining, is your current range as of today.
As a guide, I’ll use Seth Riggs’ book, Singing for the Stars, page 77. He gives average performing ranges for each voice. Soprano, mezzo soprano, alto, tenor, baritone and bass.
After I sing or play the notes for your vocal range, at the end of the video I’ll explain what it means for your voice and why it’s important.
What is My Vocal Classification? – Get Your Range Now!
On average:
Basses should be able to sing: E2-G4
Baritones should be able to sing: G2-B4
Tenors should be able to sing: C3-E5
By the way, if this is helpful would you please if you haven’t yet, be sure and subscribe and maybe share this with a friend who’s also wondering what their vocal range is. It might be fun to compare. Or make any comments down below. Give it a thumbs up if you’re liking this or a thumbs down if you don’t. That’s ok!
Altos should be able to sing: C3-C6
Mezzo Sopranos should be able to sing: G3-Eb6
Sopranos should be able to sing: G3-F6
Well, how did you do?
On average, these are the pitch ranges for these vocal classifications. You should be able to sing these notes without straining, cracking, breaking or falsetto.
Vocal Classification
I don’t like to classify voices right away. Here’s what Mr. Riggs says: “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.”
That’s what happened to me. I had a bass range, but couldn’t sing above the E above middle C.
Once I learned how to sing through the first and second bridge of my voice I was able to not only sing the bass range, but I discovered I had many tenor notes as well.
There are other factors than your range in determining your vocal classification. Mr. Rigg’s goes on to say: “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.”
In my case, after learning to sing through the bridges and picking up an extra octave of notes, the quality and depth of my speaking voice, and the heft in my singing voice, especially on my lower notes, means that I am more than likely a basso cantante, or a bass with tenor notes.
Your Vocal Classification Might Change
If you haven’t learned to bridge, how do you know what notes you are able to sing without straining, breaking, cracking or falsetto?
It’s very likely your range will increase like mine did once you learn how to sing through the bridges.
So just because your voice seems to be alto, mezzo, baritone, or bass it might change as you develop your ability to sing through the bridge.
A great starting point to learning to bridge is to determine your vocal type. [For more about bridging, watch the video on the card]
Vocal Type
Do you know your vocal type? Your vocal type is not your classification. It’s a description of what your voice tends to do when you sing through the bridge of your voice.
To discover your vocal type, go to PowertoSing.com and take the vocal test which I call the PowerTest. Take the quiz and get your vocal type. Then go to the Knowledge Center and watch the videos about your vocal type.
Download the free exercises for your vocal type and start practicing them. They will help you learn to sing through your bridge. This is the first step to increase your range.
What do you think your vocal range is today? Soprano, mezzo soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass? Write it in the comments section below.
Be sure to subscribe and share this video with a friend.
Please join me each Tuesday afternoon US Mountain time for my live YouTube Broadcast, Power To Sing Live. I’ll talk singing and answer any questions you have about singing.
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.
