finding my range

[BroadwayDreams2]

finding my range#0

Posted: 9/4/04 at 9:54am

I have never taken a singing lesson and I dont know what my range is. The other day the jazz band director asked me if I could sing with the jazz band at our winter concert his year. of course I said yes. then he asked me what my range was. I had no clue. how do you find your range? does it include belt notes? does it include notes that I have to sing from my throat to get out?

[ForTheLoveOfLea]

re: finding my range#1

Posted: 9/4/04 at 11:02am

You really are not supposed to sing from your throat. I'm not an expert but I believe a belting range and a legit singing range are completely different because you can only go so high in your chest voice. If you can, get a choir teacher to help you find your range. Otherwise, I don't know what to tell you.

Thou giveth fever.

[InTheMoney]

re: finding my range#2

Posted: 9/4/04 at 12:49pm

Ok, I'm going to TRY to be as non-technical as possible, but can't promise this will make any sense.

You have 3 'voices' which go to make up your overall range.
1) Chest voice: Place your hand on your chest just beneath the collarbone. Sing up the scale, starting at the bottom of your range. You should feel the vibrations under your hand. (Belting is sung in chest voice though on a high belt the vibrations may be nearer the throat)

2) Passgio: Some people sing this in their throat, which isn't harmful providing you don't feel any tension there whilst singing those notes. It's the "break" between chest and head voice.

3) Head voice: The top end of your range should be 'placed' so that the sound resonates in your head rather than throat or chest to avoid damaging your vocal chords. If you sing a scale starting in chest voice, shifting through your passagio, and then travelling into head voice you should feel something lift at the back of your throat.

Belting range is different to legit range as a legit range covers all 3 voices.

Eg: My belt goes up to an E/F, but my overall range is bottom F to the Bb in THINK OF ME.

One way to find your range is to sing up the scale and find your lowest and highest COMFORTABLE note. It would be an idea to get your director to help you, as they can tell you if anything sounds strained and you're less likely to push yourself too far without realising.

[Unknown User]

re: finding my range#3

Posted: 9/4/04 at 12:55pm

InTheMoney, very good explaining in non-technical.

[timote316]

re: finding my range#4

Posted: 9/4/04 at 3:10pm

I'd have someone who knows what they are doing help you out. A choir director or music teacher would be best. Good luck singing with the Jazz Band!