The Voice as a Musical Instrument Uniqueness of

The Voice as a Musical Instrument

Uniqueness of Voice -Your voice is one of your distinguishing characteristics. -When you hear a familiar voice, you are able to identify the speaker even if you can’t see the person’s face. -Your ability to make this identification is based on unique vocal properties, including timbre, register, and range. -timbre – describes tone quality of the voice or instrument -registers – vocal ranges -range – the distance between the lowest and highest pitches of the voice. -Bobby Mc. Ferrin – vocalist who has the ability to create an exceptional variety of sounds and tone color with his voice. Don’t Worry Be Happy https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=d-di. B 65 sc. QU Ave Maria https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=14 Lcvp. Xmb 74

Characterize the Voice -Singers rely on unique qualities of their voices to differentiate themselves from other performers. -Even your favorite singers can be recognized right away when you hear them. ***Activity*** Think of your favorite singers. Name 3 of them as a class. Develop a list of words that might describe each of these vocal qualities as you listen to them. Words that describe timbre might include bright, dark, harsh, heavy, light, mellow, etc. Words that describe register are high, medium, and low

Operatic Voices -The human voice has a wide range and a variety of timbres. -The system for classifying voices as soprano, alto, tenor, and bass developed in Europe in the 17 th century. -This was a time when opera was popular and was becoming very complex and demanding. -Vocal characteristics of opera were greatly extended range, especially at the top of the voice, and increased volume and projection. -Operatic voices are generally categorized according to range: Register Male Female Highest Countertenor Coloratura soprano High Tenor Soprano Mid Baritone Mezzo-Soprano Low Bass Contralto

Females: -Coloratura – the soprano voice that is light and flexible enough to perform rapid scales and trills. Beverly Sills https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=I-Acs. T 9 LRII -Soprano – the high female register -Mezzo-soprano – the intermediate female voice that sings in the lower part of the soprano range Denyce Grave https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=2 V 9 wo. Zu. VIO 4 -Contralto – a low female register with full, rich, dark, and powerful quality Marian Anderson https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=2 byt. Frs. L 4_4

Males: -Countertenor – the highest male voices with falsetto range and quality and a register in the female alto range David Daniels https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=wa 1 e 49 KLXNU -Tenor – the high male range with a powerful, ringing quality Luciano Pavarotti https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=e. QSNVBLTXYY -Baritone – the intermediate male voice Sherrill Milnes https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Fqw 6 UTlmce. Q -Bass – a lower male register with a rich, robust, resonant, and full quality Samuel Ramey https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=85 ez. Ttt. Dh 0 I

Crossover – Operatic and Pop -Many trained opera singers have migrated into the pop industry (more $$$) -Andrea Bocelli – became totally blind at the age of 12. -graduated law school, then began studying voice -became famous after being discovered by Franco Corelli and Luciano Pavarotti -Has since performed on television, the White House, and for the pope at the Vatican. Time to Say Goodbye https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=C 9 KO 0 Zt. Lo. DM -Charlotte Church – Welsh soprano -first album at 12 years old – sold more than a million copies -by age 14 had already performed for President Clinton and Queen Elizabeth of England The Last Rose of Summer https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=kxa. Ie. LWhp. B 8 ***Activity*** While listening to The Last Rose of Summer, make sure you pay attention to the lyrics. It’s a beautifully written simple song in which a single, surviving flower is used as a metaphor for the sadness of being left to carry on alone after the people we care for have gone.