Question:
I want to know what my voice type is. I am an 18 years old female and my vocal range is from c3 to b6 maybe c6. I have also attempted whistle register exercises with good results but it’s not really my tessitura. The tone of my voice is dark but lighter on higher notes.
Answer:
For all readers, let’s first define some terms: c3, b6, and c6 refer to certain keys on the piano. If you google “notes on the piano” you will pull up websites with lots of information to help you. “Tessitura” refers to that part of your voice that is strongest, most beautiful, and where you do the bulk of your singing. Whistle register is often used to refer to the highest notes a woman can make in her range. Some women have the ability to resonate these tones into full bodied sounds and integrate them with the rest of the voice.
In the world of classical singing, we tend to categorize voice types. Part of what determines voice type is the “range,” meaning the actual notes one can sing from the lowest to the highest. Next we consider “timbre,” which is the quality of the voice: dark, light, heavy, steely, flexible, etc. Our writer sounds like a mezzo-soprano but because she is so young, the voice might develop in many directions. As she develops the high notes she might even become a full-voiced soprano — I cannot say without hearing her. The most important thing at such an early age is to not push the voice. Keep exercising it and allow it to develop naturally. Meanwhile, sing repertoire suitable for a young mezzo soprano.
In both the opera and Broadway worlds, the type of voice we have plays a large role in determining the characters we will play. Women with rich, large voices often portray heroines while others with bright, clear voices are likely to be cast as ingenues. People with unique or quirky sounding voices get to play what are called “character” roles (sometimes the comic or the wise-woman).
In the world of popular music, where we are free to change the key we do songs in, we simply sing songs where they are most comfortable for our voice regardless of vocal range or type. However, just as certain clothes look terrific on some body types and not on others, you will find some songs fit your voice while others don’t. Just because you can sing the notes doesn’t mean it’s a good song for you.
No matter what: Do not push your voice — go where there is freedom and beauty in the sound and you will land in the right place for you.