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I have between 2.5 and 3 octaves that I use all the time- but the most comfortable part...what I consider to be the "Juiciest" part of my singing range- is lower third of my register. This is also the part of my range I use when speaking. I'd be very interested in hearing how each of you would correlate your speaking range to your singing range? Anyone care to share?

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In MY case Paula.. I finally figured my talking voice (I think) is around "C" (middle-C),  where *I've been told* I sound natural is around a 5 note area with middle-C about central meaning Bb to ABOUT D ..  Thing is,  What is MOST comfortable for me is shooting into some awkward headvoice falsetto-like voice trying to sing "arena rock" and it sounds NOTHING like it when I play it back ( meaning I'm BLIND or deaf for that matter to how I sound vs what I think it sounds like while I'm singing).. but for me a lazy falsetto is more comfortable for some reason and that's likely because I'm VERY out've shape, tense, and it takes LESS breath and energy than chest area projecting  ?  Now I think it's generally accepted by listeners that *MY* lazy weak higher or whatever that is I'm trying to do IS NOT where I "should" be... but in my case I think it's laziness or perhaps being out've shape...

That's just me... I believe my actual singing range that sounds maybe acceptable of course is around middle C, and that;s what I'm working on now.... breathing, and projecting... I'm trying to strengthen my talking range or where my voice-box is likely best suited for starters..

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Hmm...interesting question...never really thought about it....my speaking voice is actually kind of low, and people are often surprised that I'm a soprano rather than an alto if they've only spoken to me.  I'm very comfortable probably in the midsection of my range - which would probably be about where I speak, but, then again, the extreme highs have also been very easy and comfortable for me....but maybe I'm just a freak...*teasing grin*

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"I hold the key to an open door....will I ever be free...?"

Here's a thought tho.. In the cases of a male bass perhaps basso-profundo (or whatever that area of singing is) IS the man pushing to lower his voice ?  I don't know.. perhaps there are also some idiosynchratic aspects of our larynx too ? or some peoples ????? I never asked a male bass register vocalist if he feels comfortable projecting what is noticeably QUITE low... or if that's extreme for him..

I did an experiment tho, that might be a similar test ?   Maybe not...

Pretend you are talking on the phone in a volume and pitch comfortable (talking voice).  While talking on the phone pretend you see somebody about 50 yards away and wish to call them saying "Hey"..  In my case the "Hey" considerably raises the pitch of my voice as I project..  Is that a reasonable analogy ?  Or no  ?   not sure. Is it easier to project raising pitch for many ?

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Usually it's because when you project, or holler, you switch into head voice because you're capable of more volume.  That and it helps protect your throat

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[shadow=white][scroll]Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.....It's about learning to dance in the rain[/scroll][/shadow]

So Cathi,  for the untrained person NOT accustomed to singing is head-voice naturally easier ? or perhaps more "natural" ?

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

It would really depend on the individual Steven, what's easy for one person may very well be difficult for someone else.

Of course you do understand this could start a whole new debate on whether head voice and falsetto are the same or different and I say of course they're different--with falsetto you narrow your vocal chords to reach a higher pitch; using head voice you get no resonation from your chest/diaphragm but still a lot of power (what most arena rock vocalists use).

Geez, what did I just do  :shock:

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[shadow=white][scroll]Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.....It's about learning to dance in the rain[/scroll][/shadow]

Kappy <--- Mouf is shut !!!!!  I have my Broadway Musical to practice for over in the Critique thread anyway.. So more singin and less yacking... (well for a few hours maybe)

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Based on information obtained from some speech pathology coursework which I completed, an average human being's "habitual" speaking pitch generally sits at a point where approximately 1/3 of a person's total vocal range lies below the habitual speaking pitch, and about 2/3 of a person's vocal spectrum above the habitual speaking range (of course your mileage may vary). In other words, an AVERAGE person would be able to normally sing twice as high (range-wise) as they can sing below. For example, if a person had a 3 octave range, their habitual pitch would sit such that they can sing down about an octave below their speaking/habitual pitch and conversely sing about 2 octaves above.

Would be interested to find out as to how well this "rule-of-thumb" applies to everyone here regardless of amount of vocal training they may have.

I actually tried this analysis on myself, and this rule of thumb actually applies to me. I have a rather low speaking voice (A3 in International Pitch Notation, or the A below Middle C). I can usually vocalize down to A2 and up to C6 (1 octave below to 2 octaves plus a bit of change above), although I consider my actual singing range a bit narrower than this.

I went off on a tangent, sorry. I guess that means for most people, the  most comfortable singing range usually sits right around where they normally speak. My most comfortable singing range actually lies above my speaking range, but that is probably due to classical training which tends to de-emphasize singing within chest register and emphasizes the head register (also I have a quirky natural break in my voice which actually sits right around my speaking pitch). Also, most other genres usually emphasize the chest register and discount head voice (I may be wrong in making this assumption, so if I am incorrect, please let me know).

This sounds correct to me -- it is what I have learned in my short study of the voice.

My best singing range is right around my speaking range, to be sure. I can hit notes quite a bit higher than that, but I wouldn't consider it to be useful range. My useful range is right around 2 octaves, which is plenty I guess, as I can pretty easily hit all the notes a singer of my range  normally sings in popular music. (G2-F4 or so.)

After singing now for about 2 and a half years, it has become clear I am a baritone with just a note or two lower range than the typical. I am most comfortable in my speaking range, and that is the richest part of my voice.

the method of singing I"m studying says to sing at your speech area,  not higher or lower....

russ

Russ,  There's this strange psychological phenom (at least I think), and it might have to do with some of our classic rock ballad upbringing.. Yet there IS a tendency for many males when singing (that aren't familiar with actually singing) to push their voice higher, because for some reason it seems the arena rock styles ARE upper tenor voicings...  While low to some females is considered "sexy", higher range seems to be a preferred rock style.. and a sign of something.. What however,  dunno


What's strange about this is my comfortable singing range sounds like garbage to me, yet all else tell me that I'm trying to sing too high, and they MUST be correct, yet *I* can't hear this !  I hear what I want to hear, which isn't really me as I sound.. and as a musician this is freaking me out.. because I'm deaf to my actual voice.. Instead I'm hearing something I want to sound like.. Not what I actually sound like..

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

I'm telling you what I was told...That is the VERY first thing to deal with in singing. It is most important to accept your own voice for what it is, then develop it from there. Sound like you, accept yourself as unique in the world (noone sounds like anyone else anyway), dont try to imitate, and develop your voice from there...

I think these are my specs:

Situation...                                       Sounds Like...

Normal Speaking Voice                     Lower Range Barritone
Normal Singing Voice                        Mid Range Barritone
Juciest Singing Voice                        Upper Barritone to Lower Tenor
Bill For Kids Cell Phone                     Walter Brennan
Waiting On Old Guy To Turn Left      Mariah Carey


I try to stay in my Juicy range though. -- Joe

That was you behind me earlier today ?  Could've sworn you were female tho !  Sun was in my eyes,  couldn't see the oncoming traffic !

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

I REALLY need to work on this Russ..  I have issues because unlike guitar, or any musical instrument (for that matter) I CAN NOT clone, can not work towards developing, or mimic vocal areas I REALLY want to, meaning the styles I want to sing..most stuff in lower ranges I just don't enjoy much... and I think I'm throwing a bit of a babyish tantrum as a result of not really liking the lower songs that are suited for me.  I certainly believe you... I will have to settle, and I never knew this would be the case...

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Steven, I just found out I am two years to the day older than you. How many fingers were you holding up behind me???

At least two years,  "the day" 2008 has been postponed for me

Anyway,  been working hard at singing.  Toughest part is singing in my "range" because I tend to push higher for rock, problem is that leaves me sounding weak, and nasally.... Can't do it.. at least yet...  Anyway, as a new singer, seems to be the consensus that at one point without instruction I won't get far.. I'm no "natural" in this area of music.. Bugs me, but truth is the truth, bad respiratory probs, excessive stress and tension, I don't breath easily... So I have A LOT to work on...

BUT.... I MIGHT be older than you ...  Worn down, and kicked around the block a few times..

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".