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Understanding Vocal Range

When we talk about range within the voice, many people define it simply as:

• The bottom note that you can sing
• The highest note that you can sing

For me, this is just one element of range. In my view, range is also dynamic.

The Projection of the Voice

Range encompasses:

• The projection of the voice (not to be confused with loudness)
• Using tonal quality to be heard
• The softer side of singing

The Power of Softness

A teacher once shared an amazing piece of advice with me:

"Never sing louder than lovely."

This statement resonated deeply with me. If you're singing too loudly, constantly pushing your voice, it can sound ugly and garish to the listener.

Without dynamic variation and tonal quality, the music falls apart into mere noise. It's not about how loud you can sing.

Utilizing Technology

In studios and on stage, we have microphones developed with advanced technology designed to capture every nuance of the voice. We must leverage this technology to:

• Enhance the dynamic flow of our singing
• Bring out the true quality of our voice

The Technique of Marking

When I was in opera, we practiced a technique called marking.

Marking is a style used to:

• Save the voice during rehearsals
• Protect the vocal cords

For example, when rehearsing an operatic aria like Nessun dorma, we would sing it in a marked style:

• Instead of belting it out, we would soften the sound.

Applying Marking in Performance

This approach is also what I use when singing "Bring Him Home":

"God on high, hear my prayer... In my need, you have always been there."

For me, this is marking. While it does allow for vocal rest, excessive use can still tire your voice. It's essential to be mindful and ensure you get the proper rest.

The True Meaning of Range

In summary, range is more than just:

• The lowest note you can sing
• The highest note you can sing

For me, range includes:

• Dynamic expression
• Softness and sweetness
• Passion, love, anguish, and anger

It captures every emotion under the sun that you convey through your singing. Range is the entirety of your vocal expression, much more than just the notes.