subject: Singing Instruction - Knowing That You Are A Soprano, Or A Tenor Can Actually Be A Problem [print this page] Let's start this by discussing the various voice classifications. Female singers are divided into sopranos (high voices) and altos (low voices) with a couple of in-between types such as mezzo soprano (a mix of soprano and alto).
Male voices are usually either bass (very low), baritone (not quite as low), and tenor (able to sing higher before having to go into falsetto)
The classification of voices basically depends on the size of the vocal cords. The bigger the cords, the lower they can sing. Also the quality of the voices is usually different. Quite often a man has a rich, fat, baritone quality, yet can't sing as low as most baritones. He might be "classified" as a baritone anyway.
But when we hear Mariah Carey or Elton John or Dolly Parton sing, we probably aren't the least interested in their range or vocal classification. Their voices just are.
In opera, the music must be sung in the exact key in which it was written. There is no leeway here. If a part was written for a soprano, a soprano must sing it. The same applies to choral music. It takes real basses or baritones, not tenors, singing the bass part to make the arrangement sound as it should.
But this leaves the vast majority of singers who prefer pop, rock and country music. What vocal classification must a successful country singer have? It makes no difference. They just need to make sure they sing their songs in keys which are good for their particular voices.
So how can telling a singer that they are a soprano do any harm? It can, if that singer has a belief that sopranos are only supposed to sing high songs, that they should never try to sing down low...it just won't sound good. Too many singers' have such pre-conceived beliefs, and it can limit their style and ability to do all sorts of music.
Singing Instruction 2 - Learn Singing Techniques by Changing Your Listening Habits
Do you really need a private singing teacher to become the singer you've always dreamed of being? Are there other ways to achieve your dream.
The term "professional singer" tells us that the singer makes money by singing. But I use the tern to describe a singer who, even though they may not sing for money, makes us FEEL like we are listening to a pro. Are you a "professional singer"? When you sing at karaoke or other places, do people say to you (like in Billie Joel's "Piano Man", "Man, what are to doing HERE?"
Using my definition: how can you become a "professional" singer?
* Become more aware of the technical aspects of singing: quality, range, breathing, riffing, breath control. You don't necessarily need a private voice teacher to improve these aspects of singing, although it really helps. You do need to begin to listen to the best singers, not just for enjoyment, but for instruction. When you listen, ask yourself "how are they actually achieving that great tone quality?" or "How do their high notes sound when compared to their low notes?" (The higher notes are thinner, not as fat and bassy.) "Are they pinching their sound, or do they have a full, open sound?"
* As you listen you will discover what they are actually doing to make their terrific sounds. Then begin to work what you've learned into your songs. Don't try to do everything at once. Pick one aspect, say...the high range, and practice applying their techniques to your songs. Then go on to other aspects.
* Understand and accept the fact that having a great singing voice is not the primary requirement for becoming a "professional" singer, unless you are singing classical or opera. Pop, rock and country singers must, above all, become masters at communicating their feelings, emotions and energies to others.
* Listen to those favorite singers again, only this time examine how they communicate with you. What are they doing to make you feel sad, happy, excited, spiritual, emotional, like dancing?
Learning from a teacher or coach is important, but there are so many things you can learn from the stars. Change the way you listen, and begin learning.
