Voice

How the voice makes sound

Your voice starts in the larynx (voice box) in your throat. Two bands of muscle tissue called the vocal folds vibrate as air from your lungs passes between them.

Your throat, nose and mouth then shape that sound into singing or speech.

Voice types

Adult voices are often grouped into six main types, and some systems add a seventh, the countertenor (a man singing in the alto range). The ranges below are typical, not limits: every voice is different, and no single classification system is used everywhere.

Young voices are still growing and changing, so there is no need to pick a voice type early.

Choir parts (SATB)

Choirs often sing in four parts: soprano, alto, tenor and bass, shortened to SATB. Music theory books give these generally accepted ranges for choir writing: soprano C4 to G5, alto G3 to D5, tenor C3 to G4 and bass F2 to D4.

These choir ranges are narrower than the typical ranges in the table above.

How vocal music is written

Sopranos and altos read the treble clef, and basses read the bass clef. Tenor parts are often written in the treble clef but sound an octave lower than written.

This is sometimes shown with a small 8 under the treble clef, called the vocal tenor clef. In hymn-style SATB music, the tenor part may instead be written in the bass clef with the bass part.

Looking after your voice

• Warm up gently before singing and cool down afterwards.
• Drink water regularly through the day.
• Avoid shouting, screaming and talking over loud noise.
• Avoid whispering, which can strain the voice more than speaking softly.
• Rest your voice when it feels tired or hoarse, and see a doctor if hoarseness lasts.

Practice tips

General tips teachers often give:

• Support your voice with steady breath rather than straining or squeezing your throat.
• Sing scales and simple tunes slowly, listening carefully to tuning.
• Short, regular practice is kinder to your voice than one long session.