Classical Voice Types - Music Theory

Music Matters
11 Feb 202108:46
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThe video explains the standard four voice types in choir - soprano, alto, tenor, bass - and their typical vocal ranges. It also covers additional voice types like mezzo soprano and baritone which sit between soprano-alto and tenor-bass. Contraltos are technically what altos should be called for ladies, while countertenors are the male equivalent singing high falsetto notes. Understanding these distinctions and vocal range guidelines helps clarify the voice types you may encounter.

Takeaways
  • 😀 The standard 4 voice parts in a choir are soprano, alto, tenor and bass
  • 😇 Mezzo soprano is a range between soprano and alto, baritone between tenor and bass
  • 🎤 Contralto refers to female altos, countertenor refers to male altos singing in falsetto
  • 🎵 Standard soprano range is middle C to G, tenor is the octave below
  • 🎶 Standard alto and bass ranges are a 4th below soprano and tenor
  • 🎼 Many people are actually mezzo sopranos or baritones rather than sopranos/tenors or altos/basses
  • 🎹 Pieces that go outside the standard ranges are more difficult to sing
  • 🎤 Basso profundo refers to very low basses, especially associated with Russian basses
  • 😊 Understanding voice types helps clarify who might sing which parts
  • 🎻 There can be overlap between voice types depending on individual ranges
Q & A

  • What are the four standard voice parts in a choir?

    -The four standard voice parts in a choir are: soprano, alto, tenor, and bass.

  • What vocal range does a typical soprano sing?

    -A typical soprano vocal range spans about an octave and a fifth, from middle C up to the G above.

  • What is a mezzo-soprano?

    -A mezzo-soprano is a voice with a range between soprano and alto, sometimes described as 'half soprano'.

  • What is the difference between a contralto and an alto?

    -Contralto refers specifically to the lowest female vocal range, while alto is used more broadly for both female contraltos and male countertenors with similar ranges.

  • What vocal part do countertenors usually sing?

    -Countertenors are male singers who sing in falsetto within the alto or contralto range.

  • What is the typical vocal range for a baritone?

    -Baritones sit between tenors and basses, with a comfortable range about a fourth below the tenor.

  • What are some exceptions to standard vocal ranges in choral music?

    -Pieces may contain notes above or below a part's typical range. Sopranos may be asked to sing up to A or C above their standard top G, for example.

  • What voice type typically has the lowest range?

    -Basses and basso profundos have the lowest ranges, with basso profundos comfortable even below the standard bass range.

  • Why does the narrator say Russian basses are notable?

    -Russian basses are often known for having extremely low and resonant voices, described as 'basso profundo'.

  • How can you determine your vocal part based on range?

    -Compare your comfortable highest and lowest notes to the typical ranges described for each part to help determine your voice type.

Outlines
00:00
😀 Introducing the Standard Four Voice Types

This paragraph introduces the four standard voice types in choir - soprano, alto, tenor and bass. It describes the typical range and gender for each voice part. Sopranos and tenors are usually the higher ranges sung by women and men respectively. Altos and basses are the lower ranges, with altos usually sung by women and basses by men.

05:01
🎵 Explaining Vocal Ranges

This paragraph provides details on standard vocal ranges for each voice part. Sopranos typically span middle C up an octave and a fifth to G. Tenors match this range an octave lower. Altos are a fourth below sopranos, often from G to D. Basses mirror tenors a fourth below. These ranges may extend slightly beyond these notes at times.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡soprano
The highest range of female singing voices. The example range given in the video is middle C to the G above. Sopranos take the top line in four-part choral harmony.
💡mezzo-soprano
A vocal range between soprano and alto. Mezzo-sopranos may struggle with the highest soprano notes or the lowest alto notes. Many female singers are actually mezzo-sopranos.
💡alto
The second highest female vocal range, a fourth below soprano. Also refers to male countertenors who sing in a similar range. The example alto range given is G below middle C to the D above.
💡tenor
The highest standard male vocal range, an octave below the soprano range. Tenors take the third line from the top in four-part harmony. The example range is C below middle C to the G above.
💡baritone
The male vocal range between tenor and bass. Baritones may struggle with the highest tenor or lowest bass notes. Many male singers are actually baritones.
💡bass
The lowest standard male vocal range, a fourth below the tenor. Basses sing the bottom line in four-part harmony. The example range given is G below middle C to the D above.
💡basso profundo
An exceptionally low bass voice which can comfortably sing notes well below the standard bass range. Often associated with Russian basses.
💡vocal range
The span from the lowest to highest notes a particular voice type can comfortably sing. Knowledge of vocal ranges helps assign parts properly.
💡four-part harmony
A common choral texture with four voices - soprano, alto, tenor, bass. Each has a unique range and sings a separate musical line.
💡choir
A group of singers, often divided into different vocal ranges assigned separate parts in a multi-part harmony. A standard choir has soprano, alto, tenor and bass sections.
Highlights

The standard four voice types in a choir are soprano, alto, tenor, and bass

Sopranos and tenors typically have the highest vocal ranges, while altos and basses have lower ranges

Mezzo sopranos fall between the soprano and alto ranges

Baritones fall between the tenor and bass ranges

Contraltos refer specifically to female altos

Countertenors refer to male altos who sing in a falsetto voice

A typical soprano range is middle C up an octave plus a fifth to G

The tenor range is typically the same but an octave lower

The alto range starts a fourth below sopranos and goes up a fourth

Basses match altos but an octave lower

Mezzo sopranos and baritones sit in between standard ranges

Basso profundo refers to very low bass voices

Russian basses are an example of very low bass voices

Music often has notes outside the typical ranges for each voice part

Understanding voice types helps singers know appropriate repertoire

Transcripts

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