Voice Classifications

Bass/Baritone

"A male voice that is richer and fuller and sometimes harsh, with a darker quality." Memorize this definition. Basically, this type of singer can sing in a baritone range but also has the resonant lower range used by a bass voice.

Mezzo-Soprano

"Middle" soprano. Darker "color" (heavier, etc.). Has the ability to extend the range into higher notes. Probably like a Soprano 2. Like the female equivalent of a Baritone.

Dramatic Soprano

A coloratura soprano of great flexibility in high-velocity (high-speed) passages with great sustaining power and a heavier, darker, more booming sound. A type of coloratura soprano that is heavy and dark. Heavier and darker than a lyric soprano. Like the female version of the ___________ Tenor.

Bass (Basso Profundo)

A deep, heavy male voice with an exceptionally low range. The lowest male voice. Like the male equivalent of a Contralto/Alto.

Lyric Tenor

A light, agile tenor with the ability to sing difficult passages of high velocity (speed). Lighter and more agile (nimble, quick) than a dramatic tenor. Like the male version of a ________ Soprano.

Countertenor

A male singing voice whose vocal range is equivalent to a contralto mezzo-soprano, or soprano. It's basically a male who can sing in a female range. These people often sing tenor or baritone in their natural singing voice but do a lot of performing in the female range.

Dramatic Tenor

A tenor with the brightness and height of a lyric tenor but a heavier vocal weight which can by pushed to dramatic climaxes. Heavier and more booming than a lyric tenor. Like the male version of the __________ Soprano.

Baritone

A type of male singing voice that lies between the bass and tenor voices. The most common male voice. Like the male equivalent of a Mezzo-Soprano (Soprano 2).

Coloratura Soprano

A type of operatic soprano voice who specializes in music with leaps, runs, and trills.

Lyric Soprano

A very agile (fast moving and nimble), light voice with a high range, capable of very fast coloratura. A type of coloratura soprano that is light and bright. Lighter and brighter than a dramatic soprano. "Bel canto" roles were written for this voice. Bel Canto is a style of singing popular in 18th/19th century Italian opera. It was thought to have a beautiful sound, and it used certain vocal techniques and lots of dramatic expressiveness. Like the female version of the _________ Tenor.

Contralto

The deepest female classical voice, falling between tenor and mezzo-soprano. Basically another word for Alto.