Vocal range - Definition and Overview

Singers may be classified according to their vocal range - the general pitch at which they sing. Rather than saying deep and high, the following are typically used (from high to low):

Typical Ranges

Female Ranges

• Soprano (260-1050 Hz)
• Mezzo-Soprano (220-900 Hz)
• Alto
• Kontralto (200-850 Hz)
• see also whistle register

Male Ranges

• Sopranista
• Countertenor (also Counter-Tenor)
• Alto
• Tenor (130-520 Hz)
• Baritone (110-440 Hz)
• Basso (also Bass) (90-340 Hz)

Complete Ranges

The following ranges for French voices come from a plate in Diderot's Encyclopédie from the 1750s (descending from high to low.)

• Haut-dessus
• Bas-dessus
• Soprano
• Mezzo
• Haute-contre
• Haute-taille
• Taille
• Tenor
• Basse-taille
• Barytone
• Basse-contre
• Bass

Induced Vocal Range

Where the above are largely achieved through practice, and natural aptitude; vocal ranges can be achieved by means of physiological modification. Only a single significant example of this is notable: castrato.

See also

• Vocal and instrumental pitch ranges

External Links

• http://www.medieval.org/emfaq/misc/voices.html - a history of vocal definition
• http://www.library.yale.edu/cataloging/music/vocalrg.htm - accurate average vocal ranges