Vocal Advice

In other words, starting from the note a fifth below middle C.  Tenor, baritone???

Answer:  Ok, this is pretty open-ended.  I will assume that you are referring to a two-octave range beginning on F below middle C to the F one-and-a-half octaves above middle C.  That is, the F you speak of is the lowest useful note in the range.

The range you describe fits a contralto or “alto” classification.   However, I’ll attempt to cover most of the possible bases resulting from your question.
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I know I can sing, but I have breathing problems and problems following the notes, I’m into to singing big songs, I just want to learn how to do it right.

Answer: I love double-barreled questions! When you say “improve your range” I’m going to assume that you mean increase and expand to a larger range.

As a teenager - even in your late teens, your voice range is in the process of developing . . . and it takes some years for it to settle. Yes, with a good teacher and enough time you should see your range expand (“improve”). Daily practice and good habits will enable your voice to develop well. Your limited range will grow to something resembling two useful octaves … and maybe more.

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I’ve been identified by various people both ways.  I’m 19.

Answer:  An appropriate question!  There are several components to the answer, and these are directly related to the area of voice classification.  A couple of generalities can be made instantly.  Lyric baritones generally have a higher range than bass-baritones.  Lyric baritones have a higher tessitura than bass-baritones. The timbre of lyric baritones also tends to be lighter and brighter than bass-baritones.

A developed lyric baritone is comfortable between the A above middle C and down two octaves.  This would be his normal, usual and useful solo-singing range.  He may be able to vocalize to a B-flat or B-natural (on the high side), or descend to A-flat or G (below his lowest useful note) but sounds weak down there.  He may perhaps access even lower notes with the use of the fry register [I know the baritone who posed this question].  However, for all normal solo singing, one considers full-cord action as the only proper means of phonation.  A lyric baritone often finds himself singing around middle C - on both sides with complete comfort and ease.  It is not unusual for a lyric baritone to be called on to sing Tenor 2 in choral situations.  This happens, in part, because, beside the range capabilty, the timbre of his voice is similar to that of tenor choral singers.

A bass-baritone’s comfortable solo-singing range is somewhat lower than the lyric baritone, F to F, about a third lower than the lyric baritone.  Bass-baritone is also a more general designation of voice classification than “lyric” baritone because it does not indicate the “quality” or “timbre” of the voice.  Again, the bass-baritone may be able to vocalize higher than the useful F, and vocalize a third or fourth lower than his useful low F, but without much power on the low end.  The bass-baritone’s tessitura - the area of the range in which he is most comfortable - will often be well below middle C - approximately the A-to-A octave that marks the lower half of the lyric baritone’s useful range.
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Answer: You have the right idea.

You are right to say that we exhale through the mouth when singing (with the exceptions of the nasal consonants M, N, and NG when air necessarily passes solely through the nose).  If singing in French or Portugese there will be some nasalized vowels that require the nasal port to be open and thus some air passes through both mouth and nose.  But generally as a rule air passing through the vocal cords for singing is released through the mouth.
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Or do singers have to work for it and practice?  Or is it both?  Just curious, I don’t sing, just a random question I thought of.

Answer: Good question!

The greatest singers were and are all gifted to begin with.  Those who “naturally have a good singing voice” sound appealing, find it easy to sing and enjoy it immensely.  When such singers then go on to study voice and become accomplished musicians as well - those few can make a career and a living from their singing.  I’m speaking from the point of view of classical training.  It’s hard work, but rewarding.   (It seems most anyone who has the hutspa to record themselves and post a video on YouTube has a fair shot at becoming wildly popular.  But that is not necessarily equivalent to having a good singing voice!)
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Answer: You’ve touched on a significant area for singers that will take more discussion than this space will allow. One would think that the answer should be simple.

However, there are circumstances that need clarification in order for the answer to be accurate. So, please be patient with my discussion on this.

All things being equal - 1) the voice is fully developed, 2) you use all parts of your singing range with facility, expressively and without unnecessary tension - one would surmise that if your speaking tones are low, easy and resonant then you are probably a medium low, or low-voiced singer.
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