Every person possesses a different vocal range, and while men typically fill out the lower ranges and women the higher ranges, some people possess an ability to span several ranges. The 4 main vocal ranges from highest to lowest are: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass. Sub ranges include: Mezzo-soprano, Contralto, Countertenor, Tenor 1 or Tenor 2, and Baritone. High tenor is also known as Tenor 1.
To locate middle C, look for the name of the piano manufacturer in the center of the piano. You’ll see a grouping of 5 black keys in the middle separated by 2 white keys. The white key directly to the left of the 2 black keys in the center of the piano is middle C.
Start warming your voice up by humming and allow your pitch to slide up and down freely. Sing scales on lip trills by pursing your lips and blowing air through them as if you were blowing bubbles underwater. Start at middle C and match the pitch. Then progress downward on the piano hitting each note and matching its pitch. Once you’ve gone as far down as you can and still produce a sound with your voice, make your way back up and continue matching pitch to notes until you’ve gone as high as possible while sustaining the note. As you go higher up, you will have to sing in head voice and falsetto. Head voice is when you feel the vibrations in your head as you’re producing sound from higher up in your body. Think Mickey Mouse when trying to sing in head voice. Head voice marks the break in your voice, where you can’t smoothly hit a higher note. Falsetto, or “false voice” is when you feel that nasally pinch in the back of your throat. Once you’ve gone as low and high as you can, count how many octaves your voice spans. Each octave is 8 notes. Start at middle C and count down to the next C, remembering which is the lowest key you could hit. Repeat with the upper keys. Most people possess a range of 1. 5 octaves. High Tenor is in the (G♯2-)C♯3-B4(-E5) range.
Now locate the C an octave below Middle C, followed by the C an octave above Middle C. Match your voice to each note by going, “Ahhhhh. " Slowly slide between the notes if you have trouble matching the pitch. Note where your throat tightens up or where you need to send more air to hit a note. Slide as far as you can without straining your voice, then back off. Typically the highest note for a tenor is around the E5 key.
Start in the middle of your range and produce an “Ng” sound. As you open your mouth into an “Ahhhh” sound and move up through the scale, really connect to the vibration you feel in the back of your neck. [1] X Research source Head voice is a connected sound, as it still involves part of your chest. So, you may not feel a break in your voice when transitioning from chest voice to head voice. To strengthen your head voice, sing an “Ahh” sound starting at the upper middle point in your range and sliding up until you can’t sing any higher without transitioning into falsetto.
You can learn to minimize your break by opening up the throat further through manipulation of vowels. This means not pronouncing vowels as you would when speaking. Instead, draw out and round the vowel sounds to keep your larynx stable. Many professional singers learn to sing around the break in their voice, so don’t feel like it’s something you have to fix, even if you think it sounds awkward. [3] X Research source
If you’ve ever imitated a female voice, this is similar to falsetto. To produce a well-rounded falsetto sound, keep your larynx stable, and picture yourself closing around the notes, not pushing or straining them outward. Start with the lowest note that you can in falsetto and practice scales going up and down until you can produce a consistent sound.
You might be tempted to raise your chin as if you’re reaching for the note, but this will strain your voice and restrict your vocal cords. Keep your head level. Pull your shoulders back and align your spine in a straight line, extending through the crown of your head. To practice the correct posture, lie flat on your back on the floor or stand against a wall. [4] X Research source
When you sing higher notes your vocal cords get tighter and smaller, like stretching a rubber band. Don’t think about reaching up to hit higher notes. This will cause your voice to strain. Instead, picture reaching out farther in front of you to grab the notes.
As you sing higher notes, the sound will shift toward your soft palate, but try to keep it pointed toward your nose.
As you ascend the scale, keep your throat open and try not to let your pharynx move up in your throat. You’re still drawing breath from your diaphragm, but you’re not involving your nasal passages as much as you would when singing in chest voice. Pinch your nose and sing. Though higher notes involve your nasal cavity, you’re not singing out of your nose. Pinch your nose and transition to head voice and falsetto. Work on being able to produce a consistent sound with your nose blocked.
“Alone in The Universe” from Seussical the Musical. “Bring Him Home” from Les Miserables. “The Dentist” from Little Shop of Horrors. “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” from Jersey Boys.
