Welcome to the Vocals Thread. Here is where discussions about vocal abilities, the technical aspects of singing and singing in general are held.


What is Singing?

Singing is a physical manifestation of our increased emotional expression, state and personality, through the production of musical sounds, a larger and sustained form of speech. The act of singing consists of three components:

• Body: Skillful use of the body parts in order to sing properly, also known as vocal techniques
• Mind: Consciousness, habit, concentration/focus, musical creativity and intelligence, muscle memory(e.g vocal direction, sense of pitch)
• Emotions (or soul): motivation, desire, interest, joy and passion in the act of singing, emotional release or total confidence, as well as the portrayal or delivery of a certain character's emotional state.

Differences between a Vocalist vs Singer:

Vocalist: Someone who has COMPLETE control, manipulation and authority over their voice, similar to an instrumentalist. Hence, they are judged by vocal technique and consistency.

Singer: Someone who uses their voice to deliver a message musically and convey emotions. They are partly judged by technique, but mostly subjectively judged by sense of interpretation wit, musical and vocal delivery, musicianship, musical and vocal creativity.

Vocal Pedagogy:
The study of the science and art of singing. Since vocal technique is related to science, it is a good way to use it to judge a vocalist or a performance accurately and objectively. Vocal pedagogy consists of the following:

Physiology of singing
Breathing in singing
Posture
Phonation
Resonance
Tone Production
Vibrato
Vocal Articulations
Vocal Diction
Vocal registrations
Vocal Health
Vocal Styles
Voice Classifications
Coloratura

Vocal Resonance

Resonance is the amplification, enlargement, enhancement, improvement, intensification of sound. In other words, during vocal resonance, the vibrations of vocal cords are amplified with the help of the vocal resonators, in which the air are filled, before the air passes on its way outside. Vocal resonance equates to good voice projection and vocal power. Please do not confuse resonance with loudness. Resonance = power, BUT resonance =/= loudness =/= power. Just because a note is loud does not mean it is powerful or resonant. Plus, resonance can completely drown out loudness and every other sounds. The easiest way to put it, resonance consists of producing the maximum amount of sound using the minimum amount of effort. Resonance is achieved through the ideal shaping and manipulation of the vocal tract (see definition below) ALONG with using complete proper breath support. Another way to define the ideal shaping or manipulation of the vocal tract is to keep an open-throat. Open-throat refers to the ideal increase of pharyngeal space in order to maximize the use of resonated chambers and space. Open-throat involves a lifted soft-palate, which means no nasality, a neutral larynx, a well-positioned and shaped tongue, mouth, lips, jaw and facial muscles. A person MUST open their throat in order to resonate or belt powerfully.


Vocalists Categorized:

Lyric Coloratura Soprano: Mariah Carey during her prime
Light Lyric Soprano: Demi Lovato, Ariana Grande, Kelly Clarkson, Lea Michele, Leona Lewis, etc.
Full Lyric Soprano: Celine Dion, Lara Fabian
Spinto Soprano: Sohyang, Whitney Houston during her prime
Dramatic Soprano: Patti Labelle, Monica Naranjo
Soprano Falcon: Vanessa Amorosi
Lyric Coloratura Mezzo-Soprano: Beyonce
Lyric Mezzo-Soprano: Barbra Streisand
Dramatic Mezzo-Soprano: Anastasia
Lyric Contralto: Cher
Coloratura Contralto: Annie Lenox
Leggiero Tenor: Michael Jackson
Light Lyric Tenor:Chris Brown, Bruno Mars, Ne-Yo,
Full Lyric Tenor: Luther Vandross
Spinto Tenor: Michael Bolton

OP will be updated soon!

Omg, I'm ready for the fights over whether a note someone hit was a C5# or G2 And for everyone claiming their faves hit whistle notes

But hopefully the thread can be instructive too!

Sohyang is a Full lyric soprano, and I think Demi and Kelly should be classified as Full Lyric or at least add them to a "Lyric Soprano" category for something in between.

EDIT: I think you should add some space between diferent voice types (Soprano, Mezzo...) and for male singers, when the list grows you can also separate between A-list singers and untrained ones

+1

Can we talk about Demi's improvement over the last month? Lord have mercy

Demi and Kelly are not full-lyrics lol.



Their voice are not this big, no way.

Which category is Taylor Swift?

Beyoncé

Def a light-lyric soprano.

I think their voices are about the same size?

It seems like we're gonna start debating from the first page
I know why you say that, that's why, before anyone said anything I said "or at least add them to a "Lyric Soprano" category for something in between"

I personally think it's not black or white when it comes to light lyrics and full lyrics, there's a transition between both types, obviously you can tell Demi's voice is bigger than Ellie Goulding (I think this comparasion won't start a stan war, please, keep this cute)

I just watched this whole thing and no shade at all, but yeah this proves my point. Kelly's high notes are pretty thin and kind of shreiky, especially in comparison to Jill's. Her voice does not carry the same amount of weight at all.

Great performance though!

Right, because I have no idea what to call K. Michelle; her voice is neither light nor full.

Oh yes, Demi destroys Ellie in vocal size. Ellie pinches her belts starting at C#5

I think Kelly cares less weight because her tone's not as dark?

I didn't think she was shreiky, but of course I hear that comment about her occasionally. Those G's were co centered and easy, I wouldn't call them shreiky.

I'm not trying to be shady or rude either, I'm genuinely interested in having an actual conversation contrary to those that are standard to ATRL

Who has stats/receipts for Gaga?

That performance is amazing
Holy ****

Britney

I think Kelly's bottom is really dark for a soprano. But anyhow, both these women are sopranos. Kelly's voice just isn't extremely heavy. Ya know? Def a lighter voice, but not an Ariana-light voice, not at all.

Gags is a lyric mezzo and Brit is a light-lyric soprano!