Vocal Advice

Ruben: When I was 14 I was dubbed a “baritone.”  Since then I asked my friends if my speaking voice sounds “bright” or “dark”. They replied, “bright”. Then, I asked, “High” or “low”. All replies were “high”. Now, it’s not really high if I were to be compared to a natural tenor or a male alto, but lastly, I asked, “Do I sound more like a nerd or a football jock?” The responses I got were, “Nerd.” (I recently got glasses, haha. So I don’t know if that affected the answer). So with that said, my speaking voice tends have a “bright” tone to it. What can you assume will happen in the upcoming years and should I know anything else about the current status of my voice?

Dr. A.: Ruben, at 16 your voice truly is still in the early stages of its changes to manhood.  It is not unusual that your voice - along with almost all other adolescent boys’ voices - is lyric and without a great deal of richness yet.  That’s normal.  What you can assume in the next 5 years or so is that your vocal range will expand … just as it already has begun to do.  Neither I, nor you can predict which direction your voice is going to expand … and it could be in both directions, higher and lower.   What you need to be doing is singing in the range where singing is comfortable and does not present a great deal of difficulty.  This is likely going to be a relatively limited range - perhaps just an octave-and-a-half for a while.  Allow for this.  As you get older, your voice will continue to get stronger and your range expand.

By the way, I understood what you meant about “the voice of a football jock and nerd”, but I should tell you that such a perception is a stereotype that is as often not so in real life.  I often have to smile when I hear a burly football player or wrestler talk with a high-pitched “nerdy” sound.  Perhaps my response is due to the fact that, like you, I’ve unintentionally accepted the stereotype.

Ruben: When I entered the Senior Choir (SATB) in my church (which accepts all people 15+ years of age), I wanted to sing Tenor.  I was 14 and undergoing training at the time.  Being the newly introduced teen I was, I always had the impression that a Tenor was a male who had a powerful voice singing high notes.  So when I thought of ‘Power’ and ‘High’, I really emphasized those two characteristics when I ascended the scale. Unfortunately for me, the highest I could go during that time was a D above middle C. Upset I became, haha!   I had no choice but to sing Bass for my choir and it was more comfortable and less strenuous. The lowest I could go was A-flat below the C below Middle C. That is when I really try, via putting a lot of focus and effort, especially when being howled at by my Choir director the very words, “LOUDER, BASS!”

Still, I was determined. I worked practically everyday to increase my range.   2 Years later, here I am having trouble jumping from F3 below Mid-C, down to B-flat(2) or lower. My A(2) and A-flat(2) require more force than before, and tends to get airy. On top of that, it just sounds “Forced” now. But, over the course of those two years, my range has increased higher from that D(4) to a G4 when I just simply put my focus into it.

My friend and fellow bass, said, after I sang Tenor then Bass on the same songs (to compare which sounds better), said to me  “When you sang those notes below C(3), I couldn’t understand what you were saying.  It’s like you were mumbling.  It sounded as if you focused more on the sound of the low notes than the lyrics. You’re better off singing tenor, because that’s what sounds more pleasing to my ears. …And I can actually understand what you’re singing.”

This school year, I became part of Mens Choir at my school.  I started off singing in the Baritone section and climbed my way up to singing Tenor 1 most of the time now.   Since then, I’ve trained myself to be more well-attuned with Tenor and lost my “love” for bass.  Not bad for progressing within the last 6 months, eh?

Dr. A.: What you have described is not unusual.  Sometimes the initial change seems more drastic than later turns out.  You began thinking you were a baritone, but after 2 years you are realizing that your range has expanded upward and you are more comfortable singing the higher notes than the lower ones now.  Your voice is developing (slowly and normally).  Sing tenor in choir as long as you don’t have to strain to do so.

Ruben: So my question that goes with the info above is:

For my Church Choir, should I sing tenor or bass? I am still comfortable singing bass, until A’s and A flats get involved, but I do not want to destroy the ears of the listeners.  I also trained myself mentally to stay calm and relaxed when singing tenor, and not to ascend with too much power as I sing higher notes. So, what do you say?

Dr. A.: A true bass is comfortable singing a great deal lower than A-flat (a little over an octave below middle C).  If you find yourself making sound with difficulty down there, or your sound is increasingly fading … you’re definitely not bass.  Sing tenor … and I’d suggest that until singing up to A above middle C is VERY COMFORTABLE you stick with singing Tenor 2 - when the tenor parts split (the lower of the two tenor parts).  You’re still too young to place your voice in a position of aiming at the extremes of your range on a regular basis.  Allow yourself time … at least 2 more years when you begin studying voice seriously with a teacher.

Ruben: I’ve been told that a male’s voice is not well-matured enough until 25-30 years of age.  I am just curious to know if Maturity can do me justice before then.  Preferably before graduating high school.  If I could describe my singing voice, it sounds like I’m being delicate and soft.  Like, a little kid.  If I “powerhouse” or sing “opera-style,” I get a sound that does sound like it’s being “powered” up by confidence and with quality, but it just sounds similar as to what it is when I’m not “opera-styling” it. Quality has changed, but the sound sounds the same?

Dr. A.: Actually, Ruben, a man’s voice doesn’t reach full maturity until he’s in his mid-30’s.  However, long prior to that time a young man can develop and establish all the right habits for singing well … so that his voice continues to develop to its potential as he matures and continues to sing.  Regarding your description of your voice sounding “the same but with more confidence” - what you describe is simply that your voice now, at 16, produces a fairly light lyric sound.  That IS the quality of your voice at present, and that’s normal.  What is important at this stage in your life is that you begin the process of forming good habits in singing … then your voice will take care of itself.

Ruben: Will Maturity make my voice change and sound more masculine than child-like over the next few years? And will it, perhaps, before next school year starts?

Dr. A.: You need to realize that the “maturity” you speak of is not attained in one year … but is an ongoing process … and one which you will not likely be entirely secure in until you are about 21 (college graduation).  At that point, yes, the maturity those years bring to your voice will find you sounding more “masculine”.  But, don’t expect it, or try and force it “before next school year starts”!!

Ruben: With all that I’ve said above, could you tell me if my range will be extended in the higher end or the lower end in these next couple of years?

Dr. A.: Ruben, I think I’ve probably intimated that what happens to your range in the long run cannot be predicted now.  However, I also think that it is safe to say, (based on your description of the change that has happened over the last two years), that you should no longer think of yourself as a bass.  Currently your range resembles that of a “lyric baritone” who, in a choral situation, would normally be singing second tenor (that is: the lower of two tenor parts when the tenor parts split).  Listen to your body.  Where in your range do you find singing more easy, comfortable and resonant?  Wherever that is, that’s where you should be spending your time singing without a lot of stress at either end, low or high at age 16.

Ruben: And one more if you don’t mind! Does the physical make-up of one’s body play a role in defining everything about that individual’s voice? Such as, Height, weight, neck thickness, Pectorals, larynx size?

Dr. A.: There do happen to be some stereotypes.  But you need to remember that that’s what they are … they are generalizations that are not necessarily true in life.  Tenors tend to be men with somewhat thick short necks, wide facial features, often barrel-chested, and frequently not tall.  (Remember, this is a generalization that is not necessarily true in every case! Just look at tenors Stephen Costello and David Hobson!)  Basses tend to be men with a somewhat long neck, protruding Adam’s apple (Larynx), more angular facial features, longer in the body features, and tall.  (Again, remember that is is an over-generalization … there are always exceptions to this, so don’t pin too much weight on these features.)

Ruben: Thanks so much! And sorry for the trouble all these questions may bring. I’m just curious is all. I don’t have professional guidance and I am self-teaching and guiding myself all about singing ever since after 2 months into my 14th birthday.

Dr. A. I’m glad you felt free to ask questions Ruben.  Let me recommend that you form a list of good male singers - tenors and lyric baritones especially - to whom you listen on a regular basis.  In this way you can form a good “model” of male sound: Stephen Costello, Andrea Boccelli, David Hobson, Taylor Staton, … even Josh Groben.

Hi, I’m 16.
I’ve got a ‘low voice’ with a range from a C two octaves below middle C to a D just above middle C. I find that my voice keeps shifting up and down a few tones, regardless of the time of day. For example I can sometimes hit a B-flat (two octaves below middle C and not reach middle C). What should I do to keep my notes and improve the quality of singing.

Answer: Colet, thanks for the question.  First I must say is that you’re perfectly normal!

You’re 16, and voices, male voices especially, tend to be unstable both in range and quality.  While your range suggests that you are a bass now, the next 5 years is going to include a marked development in which range and tone color (quality) will mature and possibly even change (range).

What you need to concentrate on now until you start studying voice seriously (possibly in your 18th year), is to sing clearly and easily in the part of your range in which you are most comfortable, rather than concentrating on the low and high “barriers.”  Besides singing bass in choirs, participate in some dramatic events in which you are called upon to speak clearly (without yelling) and cultivate your expressive abilities.  It’s natural to be concerned about an unstable range and quality.  But, take it from me … don’t be.  This phase of vocal maturity (or immaturity) will pass and become more secure.  Enjoy being one of the few in your school who can reach those low notes in the bass section of your choir!

Best wishes.

I am 17, and a male singer with a soprano voice.   I can reach the C5 and more (higher) than that but I want to sing the whistle register.  I have notice that when I have opened my mouth widely, I have reached the C6 and higher, and when i do so my voice is more light and sounding like a bird in that ‘whistle voice’.   Please, I want you to give me a good technique to sing the whistle voice without problems like Mariah Carey and Minnie Ripperton.

Answer:
You are a rarity if you actually have a soprano voice … especially if you have not experienced any vocal change that has given you access to lower notes like most men.  I am aware of others with  whom this is the case … and you are rare.

If you are singing notes that are two octaves above middle C (and higher) then you are already in the “whistle register” area.  You accurately described the ability to access these notes by opening your mouth “widely.”  What you need to be watchful of is that the sound is not “heavy” and “tense”, but be sure that it is without a lot of muscular tension and light.  At 17, you don’t need to be spending a lot of time up there.  Access those notes lightly, and descend to lower notes again.  If you are wanting to develop your voice - including those highest notes, you need to find a voice teacher who has experience with voices like yours.

That is my advice.  Best wishes.

James, 14, says: My range is roughly D two octaves below middle C to the E above middle C (if I try I can hit an F).  Is this strange for my age?  I’ve had no lessons, and all I know about singing I’ve taught myself.  My voice also sounds operatic without training - is that strange?

Answer: I am so glad you asked these questions James.

One thing I can say about the change that takes place in boys is that there is no uniformity as far as rate of change.  Some of us seem to take years to drop from alto to tenor (by age 18), and others of us seem to change from treble (soprano) to bass almost over night (at 13 or 14), with variations taking place in between these.

At the moment you sound like you’d fit the “bass” category.  Is that strange?  Not at all.  If you desire to sing in a school choir, your choral director will have a place waiting for you … because low voices at your age are relatively rare … and greatly desirable.

The fact that you have a somewhat “big” voice — you say it sounds operatic — is also not a bad thing … in fact, this is a gift!  If you love to sing - go for it.  Use it, often.  If you’re gifted, develop your gifts … you’ll find yourself with opportunities that many of your chums won’t have, and undoubtedly you will find that you were “created” for just this purpose.

I’d like to encourage you to accept your range (as a bass) and the sound of your voice, and use it there — without attempting to be or become a high baritone or tenor.  You’ll shine right where you are, and over the next 6+ years, your voice will grow in versatility and power and range.  Blessings on you!

Michael, a teenager in Poland asks: Hi! My name is Michael and I’m 17 years old. My voice’s range lies between F2 and C5. I actually don’t have any breaks in my voice but I hear the change in the timbre after reaching G#4 and higher. I can go even higher with falsetto reaching F5 or G5.  My timbre is light but certainly not “tenor light”. Does it make me a lyric baritone or some kind of heldentenor that can sing lower?

Answer:

It’s wonderful that you don’t experience any breaks … even though you are aware of the change in timbre at around G-sharp.

Michael, I think that it’s fair to say that at 17 you ought not “decide” what you are vocally.  It’s enough that you know your range and where you sing most comfortably.  The fact is that in the next 5 to 6 years, your voice is going to develop considerably in range, strength and flexibility (at least if you are studying voice and practicing daily).  What you seem to be at age 17 may indeed change in the next few years.

I’ve had “tenors-at-17″ demonstrate that they really were baritone by the time they are 21 … and vice-versa.  You are in a time of vocal development and discovery.  What is important at this time in your life is that you learn to sing with good habits - as freely and without unnecessary tension as possible - and accept the way your voice develops - whatever direction it takes.  For this reason I for one will not tell a 17-year-old “you are a…” and give a definite voice classification.  I may have a good idea the direction the voice is taking after I’ve heard the young singer … but it’s still unwise to make a declaration–because then that “classification” becomes a goal, rather than an observation of fact.

At 17, almost all voices are “lyric”.  It remains to be seen what you will become.  Realize this too, Michael, all I have to go on is what you’ve told me.  It would be truly foolish of me to declare a specific voice classification having never heard you.

Remember what is important (see above) and you’ll develop just fine.

Best wishes.

Hi there!
My name is David and I am 17 years old. I can sing relatively comfortably from F2 to A4, in other words from F one and a half octaves below middle C to A half an octave above. My voice is quite relaxed throughout this range. My timbre is pretty light but not really ‘tenor light’ so I would guess this makes me a lyric baritone? Am I correct in this assumption? Would this range be of any use in say musical theatre? If so then what roles would be best for me to sing?

ANSWER: Well David,
You already have a wide range.  Congratulations.

At 17 it is no surprise that your timbre is “pretty light”.  If you use your voice regularly and with good habits, it will develop in strength over the next few years.  You are probably wise to think of yourself as some form of baritone until and unless the highest fifth of your range is (or becomes) some of the most comfortable part of your range in which to sing.  When a young man your age seems to have a choice of “tenor or baritone” opt for the part of the range in which singing is most comfortable.  The majority of the time this is lower, not higher.

Still, be aware that within the next five years you may well find your range extending in one direction or another.  So, thinking of yourself as a “medium” voice (baritone) for the time being is prudent.

Yes, I think there are roles that a young lyric baritone such as yourself could do successfully.  Let me suggest just one … and you take if from here.  In “Into the Woods” both princes are baritones.  The one requires a fair amount of stamina–there’s a lot of singing.  However, there are also a couple of wonderful duets between the princes … and either one of those might be appropriate for you.  If you think along similar lines, you’ll probably be able to find other roles that you’d be comfortable doing.  At 17 you need to be careful not to choose roles that require a tessitura (a predominance of notes) that is too high … and strenuous.

You sound like you’re thinking sensibly.  Best wishes.

PS. Some of the older shows have roles that might fit: E.g., the leading role in “Oklahoma”

Today in chorus people sang their all-state songs in front of the class.  Their voices would be airy and crack when transitioning into their head voice. The chorus teacher said that it’s their vocal break. I haven’t really heard my voice do that. To me it sounds clear throughout my range even if my middle register can be a little breathy when I don’t support. My voice teacher says I have pretty high vocal breaks and my tone changes somewhere right before the high A but if that’s true it’s so subtle.  Is this a bad thing or a good thing? Does it mean most of my voice is my chest voice? Or, is my head voice strong? Do I have more support than most people my age (I’m 16)?  All the other sopranos and even the altos have a break kind of high that makes them breathy or flat and my second break I guess is higher than theirs and makes my voice brighter.  Is this normal?

ANSWER: Great observation about the “breaks” in other young voices.

While some singers have a manifestly obvious ‘break’ (sometimes also known as “lift” or “passaggio” or “transition point”) that makes sound almost resemble a yodel (depending where in the range it occurs), if those same young singers pursue singing as a career studying voice with a teacher, their aim is going to be learn to “smooth” those areas over so that the range sounds seamless (without breaks of any kind).  As you have noted about yourself, not everyone feels these breaks … and that is a great blessing, because it means that you don’t have to worry about the color of your tone suddenly changing, or have to spend months and years learning how to even out the tone between areas of your vocal range.  So, REJOICE … you’re miles ahead of folk who experience breaks and you won’t have that hurdle to worry about.

Singing “seamlessly” doesn’t mean that you are singing predominantly in “chest” or “head”, but rather that as you sing from high to low your voice is negotiating all the range in a way that “mixes” those feelings at the appropriate times so that no break exists, or is perceptible.
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Nick says: Hello! I have a few problems when it comes to my voice.

First of all, I hope you understand me ’cause I’m not a native speaker. (:

I’m 15 years old and I’ve been singing since I was 7.  I used to have a high-pitched voice and at the age of 13 I began to take vocal lessons, which helped me a lot to improve on my singing. In fall 2007 my voice started to change and because I couldn’t even sing one song through, I decided to take a break from singing lessons. Of course, I sang though – but not as much as before because my voice always got raspy/hoarse and sometimes it started to hurt.

In the last couple of months, this problem has become better but I never had the impression that my vocal change ended – my head voice sounded like before, my chest voice didn’t really ‘mature’ even though it’s gotten deeper. Anyway I feel like I’m still in the puberty vocal change or maybe again because I’m no more able to control my voice the way that I used to. It’s raspy, high notes end in screaming and my head voice often ‘stays away’. Is it possible that my vocal change STILL hasn’t ended? Should I go to an ear, nose and throat specialist?

ANSWER: Dear Nick,

I empathize with your feelings of insecurity.  Thank you for describing what you are going through with some detail.  Do not fear.  It is not only possible that your vocal change STILL has not ended, it is certain that that is the case.  You don’t need to visit an Ear-Nose-Throat specialist.

The voice change in boys varies with the person.  Some boys seem to change almost “overnight.”  Other boys seem to go through alterations over a period of — dare I say it — years.  The insecurity that you feel is very common.  The inability to retain your high notes without a lot of strain - is also common.  What you do need to allow is T I M E.  Your voice is lowering as your larynx (voice box) and all the associated muscles and ligaments grow.  “Control” is frequently something that is lost early, and regained late.  So, if you are 18 before you begin to feel comfortable with your new range, don’t be surprised or concerned.  You will eventually find that if you use the range you are comfortable singing in, it will grow strong and useful. One thing you need to allow yourself to do is to let go of the past.  Your range is changing - don’t try and hang on to your boyhood range.  Over the next months discover where your voice range lies, and where, within your range, you sing most comfortably.  Accept these changes as the new you!  You don’t need to be straining, screaming or anything else that causes you to become hoarse or raspy.  You can damage your voice that way.  Cease that.  (By the way, your voice teacher should know these things.  You might be wise to set aside voice lessons for a couple of years too!)

Let me recommend that you stay involved in music-making - even if the singing part takes a break while you play an instrument for a while.  Find someone that knows a great deal about the voice, and ask him/her for a list of singers you should listen to over the next two years.  Do a lot of listening.  Feel free to browse through my other writings in this blog.

You do not need to worry, Nick.  You do need to allow yourself time, and learn to accept what you are becoming, vocally speaking.  You’re becoming a man.  Congratulations.

I remember that it didn’t hurt or anything it just took me lots of focus like it was required a lot of factors to make it work.  I wanted to ask you for tips about the whistle register, like how my throat should be like….for me to improve on this.  If possible would you mind giving me some warming up exercises??

Answer: You are at an age when puberty has produced most of its physical changes in a young woman.  Therefore, the fact that you have found the whistle register may be an indication of a future facility as a soprano – although your final classification is not something that should concern you at the moment.

By the way, in the literature the “whistle register” is also identified as flageolet, piccolo, flute or bell register.

As the top-most notes available in the human voice, the vocal muscles are pulled to their longest and thinnest position.  The sound is thin, small and whistle-like.  At sixteen you probably need to be careful not to overdo with exercises in this area of your voice.  The percentage of time spent as you sing, should be a very small one in the whistle register.

If you will close one of your hands into a fist and imagine that it is your favorite kind of apple, imagine now that you are going to fit the entire fruit into your mouth.  Well of course it can’t be done, however, as you make the attempt, you will experience the stretching of your mouth and lips to their widest possible aperture.  So, be aware that this kind of openness will help facilitate more freedom in this area of your range.

Now let’s do a couple of exercises that will help hear and feel how these high notes should be.  Imitate some light, high, laughter.  It may sound like “tittering” or it may feel as you laugh hilariously.  Get some of your girl friends to join you in this,  encouraging each other on to cast aside inhibitions and feel utterly abandoned in the laughter.

Another more musical exercise is this: once you have completed a normal vocal warm up, do some extension exercises on a 1-3-5-3-1 pattern on an open vowel (ah).  This should be fast moving – not slow.  You can experiment with singing this pattern legato or staccato to see which works best for you.  Sing this exercise beginning an octave above middle C and ascend by half-steps.  You may find that when your beginning note is F that your top note (5) will take on a shrill light sound.  The higher you ascend, the more notes in the exercise will sound this way.  Don’t worry if you have trouble tuning the highest notes perfectly at this time.  Do this exercise with a keyboard so that you can see where your highest notes are.  You should soon (in a few months) be able to vocalize up to G above high C – and higher if you are truly a light soprano.  Once you get to your boundary – return by half-steps to your lower range again.  Remember to sing this exercise with some abandon – not with careful, slow “control”.  This will begin the process of you learning how to negotiate the whistle register.

Again, just a reminder, don’t spend very much time up there.  Vocalize up there for four or five minutes every day doing these kinds of exercises, and be done.

If you find that you have increased facility in this, you can be certain that your choir director will have some specific notes that you (alone?) will be asked to sing on some pieces.  If you find that your discovery becomes fraught with tension, then stop making the attempt … and allow your voice to develop without it for a while.

Best wishes.

PS. By the way I have another blog post on warming up the voice.

I’m in chorus in high school and I love to sing.    Almost every year I do this solo & ensemble contest but my nerves never get any better.  For a little bit, before I go up to sing I don’t feel nervous at all but then once I start then the whole shaky voice and leg shaking starts.  In 6th grade and freshman year I got a 3rd.  Last year I got a 1st.  I’ve always been the type of person that is really insecure and no matter how many people say I sing well, I always doubt it.  It’s kind of hard to know who to believe when your own choir teacher says you’re not good enough for a solo and everyone else says you sing well.  So please help me with my nerves, the competition is in a week.  Thanks

Answer: Hi Esther,

Great question!

I’ve written another post on “dry mouth” nerves, so my answer will only serve to expand on that very slightly.

Nerves are normal.  What you described very well, 98% of the all performers also experience.  Part of the answer is to learn to balance the “adrenaline dump” with oxygen in your body.

You’ll recognize the feelings …  at a time very shortly before you are to perform your heart rate increases - anywhere from double to triple the normal speed.  (Adrenaline has been dumped into your blood stream.)  It’s important AT THAT TIME to breathe very deeply and slowly repeatedly.  This helps to accomplish two things: a) slow down the heart rate and b) increase the oxygen to your brain.  When the two are not in balance nerves tend to “take over” and “shaky voice” and “shaky legs” also known as “tetanic flutter” seem uncontrollable.

Nervousness isn’t going to go away - but you can get it under control - so that your nerves (the added adrenaline) actually serve to enhance the performance.

Go ahead and practice ahead of time what you are going to do when you feel the heart-rate rise - so that when the time comes, you’ll be doing something familiar and something you’re prepared to do.  (Sit tall, stand or walk and breathe deeply - slowly and fully - several times.)

Then, when it’s time to walk on stage, look confident and secure (you’ll be amazed how feelings of the same will follow) and you’ll also set your audience at ease.  Then enjoy expressing the song.

Best wishes to you!