Understanding Your Vocal Range and How to Find It

students singing on stage at an audition

Definition of vocal range:

Your vocal range spans from your lowest pulsing sound (vocal fry) to your highest note. However, singing at either extreme for too long can lead to vocal strain. Many students don't realize they can sing higher than they think; they reach a break in their vocal register and assume that's the top of their range. In reality, that's the top of their "chest register," and they have many more notes available. They just don't know how to access the upper register.

Definition of vocal registers:

Have you ever noticed that sometimes when you sing, you accidentally yodel? A yodel is a natural break in vocal registers. The vocal cords use three muscles to sing: the thyroid, cricoid, and arytenoid muscles. Switching between these muscle groups changes the length and thickness of the vocal cords. Trained singers smoothly transition through these register breaks without yodeling for a seamless sound. Of course, there are times when a yodel is desired for a specific character or musical style. Once you learn where your registration breaks are, you can access your entire range.

When you speak loudly, do you feel vibration in your chest cavity? That's called the "chest voice." The term "chest voice" was coined centuries ago to describe how larger bones vibrate when people sing. In the "chest" voice, the major muscles involved are the thyroarytenoid (TA) muscles. Conversely, the "head voice"—the high voice—is primarily created by the cricothyroid (CT) muscles. The interchangeable term "mix-voice" or "middle voice" involves a predominance of either the TA or CT muscles. I explain the vocal mix or middle voice as adjusting hot and cold water faucets to create hot, warm, tepid, cool, and cold water. The more the TA muscles pull, the heavier and lower the sound. The more the CT muscles pull, the higher and brighter the sound.

What is falsetto?

This topic can be complex: Pop singers sometimes refer to the head register as "falsetto," but falsetto occurs when the vocal folds don't fully adduct (come together) to vibrate, creating a small opening (like a keyhole) at the top of the vocal folds. This tiny "chink" allows air to escape when the rest of the vocal folds are closed, producing a high and breathy sound similar to Frankie Valli, Michael Jackson, Barry Gibb, Justin Timberlake, Smokey Robinson, or Prince. This sound is present in both transgender and cisgender male voices. Developing this register requires extensive practice. Female singers also have a falsetto, but it's less noticeable than in male voices because sopranos and altos sing an octave above tenors and basses. Video-stroboscopic studies have shown that women do have a falsetto, but it isn't as audible in female voices, whether cis or trans.

Every voice has limits on how high and low it can sing, determined by the size of one's vocal cords. Most female vocal cords are ¼ to ½ inch long, while male vocal cords can be ¾ inch to over an inch long. Like guitar or piano strings, longer and thicker vocal folds produce lower pitches, while shorter and thinner folds produce higher pitches. Using a rubber band as a visual for vocal cords, you can see that they can only stretch so much before breaking. Human vocal folds don't usually break like rubber bands, but singers can cause significant damage by singing incorrectly.

What is a whistle register?

In my years of teaching voice, I've only worked with two students who demonstrated a "whistle register." This register extends beyond the soprano's head register, reaching up to C7. This rare vocal range sounds like the soprano is whistling with her mouth open. Coloratura sopranos sometimes use the whistle register. This register is produced when the vocal folds are adducted (closed) with a very tiny opening in the anterior of the closed vocal cords. Besides operatic coloratura sopranos, a few well-known popular singers who use a whistle register include Mariah Carey and Christina Aguilera.

How do I find my vocal range?

Vocal ranges overlap, and it takes a professional voice teacher to determine your range. A voice teacher will need to hear you sing a few scales and listen to a few bars of a song. In contrast, young singers shouldn't be categorized as their voices mature and change. As you physically grow, your vocal mechanism will too, including the size of the larynx and the vocal folds.

In conclusion:

It's always advisable to hire a voice teacher to help you develop your voice. Remember, you only have one set of vocal cords, and if you damage them, you don't get a replacement. Repairing voices is my job as a vocologist, but I hope you never need my help. I want you to protect your voice, sing healthily, stay hydrated, and maintain a regular sleep pattern. Your voice is only as good as your body and mind. If you ever need assistance, feel free to reach out to me.

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