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How to Identify Singing Range

It is not necessary to have a wide vocal range to be a great singer. It is important, however, to know what your vocal range is to sing comfortably and on pitch without struggling. Your vocal range extends from the lowest note to the highest note you are able to sing comfortably. Your vocal range is innate although it may be improved and extended a small amount with training and practice. A singer's vocal range is measured in terms of octaves. Most singers have a two-octave range but others may have a wider range or sing best by remaining in one octave. Roy Orbison was highly regarded for his four octave range.

Instructions

    • 1

      Warm up your vocal cords before you sing. Vocal cords are muscles that need to be stretched and warmed up like any other muscle to avoid injury and to allow them to operate more efficiently. Warm up exercises include humming and lip trills. As you hum, move the pitch upward and down. Lip trills are produced by keeping the blowing air through your lips while holding your lips loosely together. It produces a flapping "brbrbrbr" sound.

    • 2

      Play and sing middle C on the piano. Middle C is the reference point for determining vocal range. Play and sing downward from middle C, C-B-A and so forth. Continue singing down the scale until you reach the lowest note that is comfortable to sing. Write down the note. Middle C is referred to as C4. The C an octave lower than C4 is C3, an octave higher is C5.

    • 3

      Play middle C and sing up the scale. Continue singing upward until you reach the highest note you are able to sing comfortably. Write down the note.

    • 4

      Determine where your vocal range fits in relationship to the traditional categories. Bass vocalists are typically between E2 and E4. E4 is the E above middle C and E2 is two octaves below E2. Baritone is F2 to F4. Tenor is C3 to C5. Contralto is F3 to F5, Mezzo-soprano is A3 to A5 and soprano is C4 to C6.

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Singing

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