Clasificación de las voces

Classification of Human Voices

Overview of Voice Classification

• The classification of human voices is divided into two main categories: women and men.

• Within these categories, voices are further classified from higher (more acute) to lower (more grave) tones. For women, the hierarchy is soprano, mezzo-soprano, and contralto; for men, it is tenor, baritone, and bass.

• This classification system is widely accepted but includes subgroups within each voice type.

Understanding Vocal Range

• Each voice type has a specific range or tessitura that defines its vocal extension—this includes the lowest and highest notes achievable by that voice type.

• For example, a typical soprano's tessitura ranges from approximately C4 to G5; however, the most common range may be slightly narrower.

Self-Classifying Your Voice

• To classify one's own voice as tenor, bass, contralto, or soprano, an exercise involving singing ascending and descending notes on the syllable "nu" will be performed. This helps identify comfortable vocal ranges.

• The exercise involves gradually increasing pitch in semitones while maintaining comfort within one's vocal register. A musical guide will accompany this practice.

Practical Exercise for Men’s Voices

• The session begins with identifying the bass voice by starting with lower notes; if these do not fit comfortably, it may indicate a tenor or baritone classification instead.

• Participants are encouraged to engage actively in classifying their voices through practical exercises designed for each category: bass first followed by tenor exercises where participants sing along at specified pitches.

Practical Exercise for Women’s Voices

• After completing exercises for men's voices (bass and tenor), similar exercises will be conducted for women's voices focusing on contralto and soprano classifications using corresponding musical cues to assist in identification.