Difference between revisions of "Find Your Singing Range"
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Some singers can hit breathtaking high notes, while others can dig deep for soulful lows. A lucky few can do both with ease! A singer's ''range'' is the spectrum of notes that he or she can sing comfortably and clearly. Finding your range is easy — all you'll need is a musical instrument like a piano (or a digital alternative) to give you a few reference tones and you'll know your range within a minute or two. | Some singers can hit breathtaking high notes, while others can dig deep for soulful lows. A lucky few can do both with ease! A singer's ''range'' is the spectrum of notes that he or she can sing comfortably and clearly. Finding your range is easy — all you'll need is a musical instrument like a piano (or a digital alternative) to give you a few reference tones and you'll know your range within a minute or two. | ||
| − | [[Category:Singing]] | + | [[Category: Singing]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
=== Using a Piano or Keyboard === | === Using a Piano or Keyboard === | ||
#Press middle C (C4) on the keyboard. Because it can play a relatively wide range of notes perfectly in tune, a piano (or an electric keyboard) is usually the most useful instrument for finding your vocal range. Start by pressing the note '''middle C''' (also called C4) on the keyboard. Note that you won't need to know how to play the piano to use this method of finding your vocal range. | #Press middle C (C4) on the keyboard. Because it can play a relatively wide range of notes perfectly in tune, a piano (or an electric keyboard) is usually the most useful instrument for finding your vocal range. Start by pressing the note '''middle C''' (also called C4) on the keyboard. Note that you won't need to know how to play the piano to use this method of finding your vocal range. | ||
| − | #* If you're not familiar with the keys on a piano, middle C is the '''fourth''' C natural note counting from the left side of the keyboard. In other words, it is the fourth white key that is two the left of two black keys. Usually, this is right in the middle of the keyboard, under the manufacturer's name or logo.<ref>http://www.infinitymusicstudio.net/2/post/2012/09/tutorial-on-how-to-find-middle-c-on-the-piano.html</ref> | + | #* If you're not familiar with the keys on a piano, middle C is the '''fourth''' C natural note counting from the left side of the keyboard. In other words, it is the fourth white key that is two the left of two black keys. Usually, this is right in the middle of the keyboard, under the manufacturer's name or logo.<ref name="rf1">http://www.infinitymusicstudio.net/2/post/2012/09/tutorial-on-how-to-find-middle-c-on-the-piano.html</ref> |
#* If you're not sure whether you're using the right note, consider using a digital middle C reference tone (which can be found on YouTube, etc.) to help you find it. | #* If you're not sure whether you're using the right note, consider using a digital middle C reference tone (which can be found on YouTube, etc.) to help you find it. | ||
#Sing the note, matching your pitch carefully. When you've found middle C, sing the note out loud. Use a good amount of air support — you don't have to belt the note, but you need to sing it (and all of the other notes in this exercise) strongly and confidently. | #Sing the note, matching your pitch carefully. When you've found middle C, sing the note out loud. Use a good amount of air support — you don't have to belt the note, but you need to sing it (and all of the other notes in this exercise) strongly and confidently. | ||
| − | #* Starting at middle C is a good idea because it's contained in all of the traditional voice classes (i.e., bass, baritone, tenor, alto, soprano.) However, middle C falls at the top of a bass's vocal range and at the bottom of a soprano's, so if you have an exceptionally low or high voice, you may not be able to hit it.<ref>http://www.singwise.com/cgi-bin/main.pl?section=articles&doc=UnderstandingVocalRangeRegistersAndType</ref> This is OK — simply start at a more comfortable note instead. | + | #* Starting at middle C is a good idea because it's contained in all of the traditional voice classes (i.e., bass, baritone, tenor, alto, soprano.) However, middle C falls at the top of a bass's vocal range and at the bottom of a soprano's, so if you have an exceptionally low or high voice, you may not be able to hit it.<ref name="rf2">http://www.singwise.com/cgi-bin/main.pl?section=articles&doc=UnderstandingVocalRangeRegistersAndType</ref> This is OK — simply start at a more comfortable note instead. |
#Play descending notes, matching your pitch each time. Press the white key to the left of middle C. This note is called B3. If you can, sing this tone as you try to match your pitch to the piano's. Next, press the white key to the left of B3 (which is called A3) and repeat. Keep moving down the piano through G3, F3, and so on until you reach a note that you ''can't sing comfortably.'' The previous note is the '''bottom''' of your singing range. | #Play descending notes, matching your pitch each time. Press the white key to the left of middle C. This note is called B3. If you can, sing this tone as you try to match your pitch to the piano's. Next, press the white key to the left of B3 (which is called A3) and repeat. Keep moving down the piano through G3, F3, and so on until you reach a note that you ''can't sing comfortably.'' The previous note is the '''bottom''' of your singing range. | ||
#* For example, let's say that Sandy starts from middle C and reaches F3 (four notes below it) comfortably. However, when she tries to sing the next note, E3, her voice wavers and she can't produce a clear tone. This means that F3 is at the bottom of her vocal range. | #* For example, let's say that Sandy starts from middle C and reaches F3 (four notes below it) comfortably. However, when she tries to sing the next note, E3, her voice wavers and she can't produce a clear tone. This means that F3 is at the bottom of her vocal range. | ||
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#* Let's say that Sandy starts from middle C and reaches D5 (eight notes up — over a full octave) without any problems. When she tries to sing E5, she can't maintain her pitch. This means that D5 is at the top of her vocal range. | #* Let's say that Sandy starts from middle C and reaches D5 (eight notes up — over a full octave) without any problems. When she tries to sing E5, she can't maintain her pitch. This means that D5 is at the top of her vocal range. | ||
#Repeat as needed. Your singing range contains all the notes in between (and including) your '''highest note''' and your '''lowest note.''' | #Repeat as needed. Your singing range contains all the notes in between (and including) your '''highest note''' and your '''lowest note.''' | ||
| − | #* In our example, Sandy can sing from about an F3 to a D5. This means her vocal range makes her roughly a contralto — traditionally the lowest vocal category for women.<ref | + | #* In our example, Sandy can sing from about an F3 to a D5. This means her vocal range makes her roughly a contralto — traditionally the lowest vocal category for women.<ref name="rf2" /> |
=== Using Online Solutions === | === Using Online Solutions === | ||
#Use a video for reference tones. If you don't have a piano or you just don't want to bother with one, fear not — it's easy to find the reference tones you need on streaming video sites like YouTube, etc. Simply search for a query like "middle C" or "finding vocal range" to get plenty of results that can help you sing the right tones to determine your vocal range. | #Use a video for reference tones. If you don't have a piano or you just don't want to bother with one, fear not — it's easy to find the reference tones you need on streaming video sites like YouTube, etc. Simply search for a query like "middle C" or "finding vocal range" to get plenty of results that can help you sing the right tones to determine your vocal range. | ||
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#* [http://www.vocalist.org.uk/vocal_range_key.html Vocalist.org.uk] has a more technical text article available. Included in this article are definitions for over a dozen categories of vocal ranges. | #* [http://www.vocalist.org.uk/vocal_range_key.html Vocalist.org.uk] has a more technical text article available. Included in this article are definitions for over a dozen categories of vocal ranges. | ||
=== Defining Your Vocal Range === | === Defining Your Vocal Range === | ||
| − | #''Below, find the note ranges for the most common traditional vocal classes. Your personal vocal class is the option with the range that you most closely match. Note that your range may not match one of these categories perfectly and that vocal profiles besides the ones below, though rare, are possible.<ref>http://choirly.com/whats-my-voice-type/</ref>'' | + | #''Below, find the note ranges for the most common traditional vocal classes. Your personal vocal class is the option with the range that you most closely match. Note that your range may not match one of these categories perfectly and that vocal profiles besides the ones below, though rare, are possible.<ref name="rf3">http://choirly.com/whats-my-voice-type/</ref>'' |
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== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
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== Warnings == | == Warnings == | ||
* This bears repeating: '''do not''' strain to hit notes that are outside of your vocal range. This is a good way to put stress on your vocal chords. Over time, doing this can even reduce your range. | * This bears repeating: '''do not''' strain to hit notes that are outside of your vocal range. This is a good way to put stress on your vocal chords. Over time, doing this can even reduce your range. | ||
| − | * Avoid smoking, frequent shouting, and any habits that cause coughing — these habits can damage your singing voice.<ref>http://thesingingvoice.com/about/vocal-health</ref> | + | * Avoid smoking, frequent shouting, and any habits that cause coughing — these habits can damage your singing voice.<ref name="rf4">http://thesingingvoice.com/about/vocal-health</ref> |
== Related Articles == | == Related Articles == | ||
