Amapola Singing Articles Collection
Number 23
How To Improve Your Vocal Range
By Kate Slaney
ExploreYourVoice.com
Most people have what we call a chest voice range of
about 8 to 12 notes that occurs naturally. You are born with it and
,even if you hardly ever sing at all, you already have enough vocal
range to sing a lot of songs. The actual range of pitch of your voice on
a scale is however unique to you.
If the lowest note you can sing comfortably is say
an E or an F below middle C on the piano then you are most likely to be
a baritone if you are male or a contralto if you are female. This
indicates you probably have a lower range voice. Female sopranos and
male tenors have voices that start typically 4 or 5 notes higher on the
scale.
It is important for you to understand what type of
voice you have because this will determine the key you will need to sing
a particular song in. Dont worrry too much if the theory of all this
seems confusing. Singing is generally not an exact science because every
person's voice is unique.
All this means is that your vocal range is a
relative thing. If you have a low voice, you can still have a vocal
range of 2 octaves , just as someone with a high voice. It's just that
your range will start lower and finish lower than the person with the
high voice.
Can you extend your vocal range?
Yes you can. Extending your vocal range can be
accomplished by developing what we call your "head voice' . Your voice
is naturally divided into 2 registers called chest voice and head voice.
To find these voices start by singing the lowest note you can and
progress up the scale until you find yourself wanting to change into
another more "head" based tone. It's a strange sensation if you have
never tried it. It's important to project your voice forward onto your
lips,so as not to strain your vocal chords.
At some point in this exercise you will find that
you cannot sing higher using the voice that seems to come from your
chest and you will feel the urge to sing from your "head". This is the
naturally ocurring break between the registers. Your chest voice will
sound big and full by comparison to your head voice which can sound
light and perhaps harder to control.
Ultimately, your range will increase as your voice
responds to regular use . The more you sing, the better you sound.
Here are some ways to improve your vocal range.
Try singing songs that have a wide melodic range. Be
careful not to strain to reach the high notes in your chest voice. Use
this exercise to place part of the melody into your head register. One
of the best and most obvious examples of head register or falcetto as it
is sometimes called is the Bee Gees. They actually deliberately
developed their head voices to create a new sound for their songs. Other
singers like Jeff Buckley and Elton John use head voice in different and
sometimes less obvious ways .Women can extend their vocal range in the
same way. Using your voice this way can quickly extend and improve your
range into head register.
Experiment with singing a song in a lower key than
is normal for you. To extend your range downwards you must relax and not
force your voice. Dont pitch the song in a key too much lower than
usual. Just drop the song 2 or 3 tones in pitch from where you normally
sing it. Dont squash or force your chin down on to your neck to reach
lower notes. It's natural to want to do this but it will actually make
it harder. Keep your head centered and relaxed at all times. If you are
unsure how to transpose a song into a lower key - make friends with a
competent musician and tell that person you wish to experiment with the
key of the song. As you make use of your lower range more regularly it
will develop.
Lastly, consider getting some singing lessons. A
vocal teacher will be able to assist in extending your vocal range and
also provide you with the necessary tools to improve and find your own
unique voice.
Explore Your Voice singing
lessons are ideal for improving your range,tone and control of your
head voice. Explore Your Voice provides you wish comprehensive singing
lessons based on popular songs and our unique Groove Tracks.These call
and answer games give you freedom to practise what you've learned.
Explore Your Voice singing
lessons were created by a team of world class professional musicians
and educators based on the innovative vocal teaching method I developed.
Take the time to check it out, you wont be disappointed.
Kate Slaney.
ExploreYourVoice.com
