Estimated reading time 2 minutes
Table of Contents
Introduction
Do you want to know what voice type you are? All the voice types discussed in this post are from the pool of male singers used in chorus, opera, musical theatre, and pop music. Some of these male vocalists can sing very high, while others can sing very low. However, it’s the quality of his voice that makes a male singer one voice type versus another. Therefore, I’ve provided videos so you can hear examples of the different types of singers. Keep reading What’s the Key Difference Between Countertenor, Baritone, etc? to learn what makes a singer a countertenor, tenor, baritone, or bass and how to tell them apart.
This article uses musical terms. For definitions, see the Glossary at the end of the post.
The Key Difference Between Countertenor, Tenor, Baritone, and Bass Voices #1: Who Sings Countertenor?
Countertenors are men who can sing very high notes:
- Guys with this rare voice type are often called male sopranos because their singing quality and range are similar to a female mezzo.
- These singers have recently grown in popularity, particularly for singing Baroque period opera, where they take the castrato roles.
- Countertenors have a conservative vocal range of G3 to D5 (which is similar to a mezzo’s range of A3 to F5). (C4, or middle C, is the 4th C from the left on a piano.)
Famous Countertenors:
- Andreas Scholl
- David Daniels
- Philippe Jaroussky
Video: Countertenor David Daniels
The Key Difference Between Countertenor, Tenor, Baritone, and Bass Voices #2: Who Sings Tenor?
Tenors are the most popular type of male recording artist in both popular and classical music:
- They have the second highest male tessitura with a conservative vocal range of C3 to B4. (C4, or middle C, is the 4th C from the left on a piano.)
- These men can sound in turns either bold or airy.
- Tenors typically perform the main male parts in pop music, showtunes, and opera.
Famous Tenors:
- Art Garfunkel
- Justin Timberlake
- Luciano Pavarotti
Video: Tenor Art Garfunkel
The Key Difference Between Countertenor, Tenor, Baritone, and Bass Voices #3: Who Sings Baritone?
Baritones are the mezzos of the male vocal world:
- These singers sound somewhat like tenors in their higher range, making them suitable for taking solos. However, they usually sing with the basses in SATB choir and chorus arrangements.
- They have a conservative vocal range of A2 to G4. (C4, or middle C, is the 4th C from the left on a piano.)
- Like mezzos, the baritone’s flexible tone quality lets them effectively sing many styles of music, from rock to classical and everything in between.
Famous Baritones:
- Chris Martin
- Elvis Presley
- David Serero
Video: Baritone Elvis Presley
The Key Difference Between Countertenor, Tenor, Baritone, and Bass Voices #4: Who Sings Bass?
Lastly, you have your bass singers:
- Bass singers are the men that can hit the lowest notes, having a full, resonant singing tone.
- They have a conservative vocal range of E2 to E4. (C4, or middle C, is the 4th C from the left on a piano.)
- Thus, basses fill out the bottom end in popular and classical arrangements.
Famous Basses:
- Barry White
- Geddy Lee
- Johnny Cash
Video: Bass Johnny Cash
Final Thoughts
Takeaway points:
- Despite the popularity of tenors, each voice type brings unique qualities to vocal arrangements, making any music better.
- Any male singer can participate in any type of music, though some singers are better suited for some styles of singing over others.
- Once you figure out what type of voice you naturally have, embrace your voice type and emphasize its strengths.
Have fun singing!
Related Posts:
- 10 Elements that Impact Singing in Tune
- What’re the Key Differences Between Contralto and Alto?
- What’s the Key Difference Between Soprano and Mezzo?
© 2024 Geoffrey Keith
Join me for in-person or online lessons today!
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