Voice ranges

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A voice range is a somewhat arbitrary division of human voices into frequency ranges. The major division is between male and female voices. Each of these divisions has a low and a high range. For male voices, there is bass and tenor. For female voices there is alto and soprano. These are the coarsest divisions. There are many other possibly divisions, including baritone, contralto, mezzo-soprano, etc.

Contents

Singing ranges

Bass

Bass is the low male voice range. Generally it extends from F2 to F4 (25 semitones).

Tenor

Tenor is the high male voice range. Generally it extends from G2 to C5 (30 semitones).

Alto

Alto is the low female voice range. Generally it extends from D3 to F5 (28 semitones).

Soprano

Soprano is the high female voice range. Generally it extends from F3 to C6 (32 semitones).

Speaking ranges

Your average natural speaking pitch is normally fairly close to the bottom of your range, maybe only up 4-5 semitones. An easy way to determine this is to say "uh-huh" in the most effortless, emotionless way.

The average speaking pitch for males is around D3. The average speaking pitch for females is around A3. The difference is 7 semitones. Still, there is much variety in people's average speaking pitch; many women speak much lower.

The androgynous speaking zone

Normally only a small rise in pitch is necessary to change the perception of a male voice to a more ambiguous voice. It may not be necessary to reach the average female speaking pitch.

See also

Discuss

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