Principles Of Good Singing Pt. 11: Range

Another vital principle of good singing addresses the need for a sufficient vocal range. A good singer should have at his command at least two octaves. This does not necessarily mean that a singer will utilize both octaves. Having a good two-octave range gives a singer a great deal of artistic freedom (artistic “wiggleroom,” if you will), and having freedom for self-expression is the most vital aspect of exceptional singing.

The requirement for vocal range is often based on the style of singing. Country singing, for instance, does not generally require as wide a range as, say, rock singing, and some of the most successful singers in country music such as Johnny Cash rarely, if ever, stretch to sing high notes. In hard (heavy) rock singing, screaming out high notes has a particular visceral impact that rock fans enjoy—in fact, demand. Nonetheless, possessing a good range, regardless of singing style, should be a technical goal for all committed singers; a good range simply offers a singer more possibilities for dynamic expression, vocal coloring, and emotional effect.

Image source: Sergej Khakimullin /Shutterstock.com