Vocal types, styles and techniques
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Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify common voice types, styles and techniques.
Key learning points
- Vocals are very diverse, with numerous voice types, styles and techniques.
- An SATB choir is made up of the following female and male vocal types: soprano, alto, tenor and bass.
- Some common vocal techniques include melisma, vibrato and rapping.
- In some styles, microtonal singing, scat singing and beatboxing can also be heard.
Keywords
SATB - a type of choir consisting of soprano, alto, tenor and bass singers
Vibrato - a vocal or instrumental technique in which the pitch ‘wobbles’ slightly
Melismatic - when there are syllables with more than one note sung to them
Beatboxing - a vocal technique that imitates drum kit and percussion sounds
Falsetto - a technique in which male voices can sing much higher than their normal range; it has a distinct, thin, airy timbre
Common misconception
Female voices are always higher pitched than male voices.
While this is mostly true, alto and tenor ranges overlap. A low alto voice can be as low as a tenor. Alongside this, men can use the falsetto technique to sing much higher than their normal range, in some cases higher than female voices.
Teacher tip
Pupils should know what mezzo-soprano and baritone voices are, but are not expected to identify them aurally. Focus on identifying high and low male and female voices - SATB. More practice identifying voice types and techniques will be valuable - if possible, create further listening opportunities.
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