Voice type - Bass or tenor?

[jsen]

Hi!

I am a male, and I need to know what is my voice type (between tenor and bass - it is a 4 voices choir)

my voice range is from G2 (second G from the piano) to D4 (the D note right after middle C)
So, am I bass or tenor?

Thank you, and sorry my english

[nystul]

Bass for sure.

[iansinclair]

At the moment, bass.  However...

How old are you?  Not to be nosy, but it does make a difference.  As one ages, one's range tends to drop -- but if you have never studied, it is quite possible that there is a considerable upward extension which you have not tapped.  Have you ever taken voice lessons?

Increasing the lower extension from that G down to the D below it (if I'm reading you right here) will be necessary for a real bass range; the C two octaves below middle C would be even better (some Slavic basses can reach, with good volume, the A or G below that... pretty awesome).  On the top, you are now at about the top of a true bass range (the E or F above middle C would be better); increasing that the to G or A above middle C would give you a true baritone range.

There is a significant difference in the quality of the tone between basses and baritones; it is not just a matter of range (although range is important!).

A competent voice teacher would listen to you, and be able to advise you pretty quickly as to which end of the range to work on, and how to go after it.

[jsen]

I'm 17!

I never had voice lessons. I just sang in a choir some time ago, so we had 1 class per week with a teacher (not a voice teacher).

"Increasing the lower extension from that G down to the D below it" -That is the real problem. I just reach the G2, on the morning I can reach F, but in normal situation only G, and I think that I can't extend it more. Is it possible to extend the lower extension?
On the top, sometimes can reach E, but usually only D.

Baritone can be a "option" too, but as I said, it is for a 4 voices choir, so there are only tenor and bass voices.

Thank you!

[j_menz]

Is it possible to extend the lower extension?

Scotch and cigars give me an extra half an octave.

Voice lessons are probably better for you, though. And at 17, time is your friend.

[ajspiano]

The ranges are more average than exact though. We are a bit too individual to be categorised in such a limited way. If you want to extend in either direction get a vocal teacher.

[j_menz]

We are a bit too individual to be categorised in such a limited way.

Indeed. Sutherland started as a Mezzo, and Caruso could sing Bass.

[outin]

Indeed. Sutherland started as a Mezzo, and Caruso could sing Bass.

And many women can reach C3, but that doesn't make them bass, I think...My most comfortable area is somewhere between E3 to C5, I wonder what that makes me? 

[jsen]

The ranges are more average than exact though. We are a bit too individual to be categorised in such a limited way. If you want to extend in either direction get a vocal teacher.

According to this picture, I am baritone for sure...

[oxy60]

Indeed you are, for sure. Generally you would stand with the basses in a high school choir. If they are doing four part men then you would stand with the baritones. After high school then you could take some voice lessons, increase the high end and do something professionally later.

Be careful who you get as a teacher. Not just anyone will do. You want a guy that has had a career on stage and has recordings out. Do not under any circumstance take lessons from a woman! Regardless of how fantastic their career is/was, they do not understand the male voice and never will.

Your ideal male teacher should be able to sing "Within these holy walls" from the Magic Flute by Mozart in such a way that will give you an emotional reaction.

[quantum]

Do not under any circumstance take lessons from a woman! Regardless of how fantastic their career is/was, they do not understand the male voice and never will.

Out of curiosity, what do you base this claim on?

[oxy60]

Out of curiosity, what do you base this claim on?

You'll have to trust me on this one. Once you've had some university level courses about the voice you'll understand. There is no room here to write out what would essentially be a master's thesis.

Men should sound like men and women like women. How we achieve that is very different.

[j_menz]

You'll have to trust me on this one.

So the credit Pavarotti gave to Sutherland for what she taught him is to be ignored, but your opinion is to be treated as gospel?

Perhaps if you had actually sung anywhere we might have heard of you from......

[oxy60]

So the credit Pavarotti gave to Sutherland for what she taught him is to be ignored, but your opinion is to be treated as gospel?

Perhaps if you had actually sung anywhere we might have heard of you from......

What did she actually teach him? Was she his teacher/coach from the beginning? It was very gracious of P to give some credit to S as anyone should who gets some pointers.

The advice I gave to the 17 year old was to help him choose his first voice teacher, not to accomplished opera stars sharing ideas.

[gyzzzmo]

Do not under any circumstance take lessons from a woman! Regardless of how fantastic their career is/was, they do not understand the male voice and never will.

This is sheer nonsense.

A female might indeed not be able to show some things herself since the voice type is different. But that does not mean she does not know all the tips and tricks and understanding about developing a male's voice!
With your (oxy60) generalising idea's you could just have well said that somebody should never get a male teacher, because female in general have better social skills and therefor can teach better.

So just stick to your (good) advice: search for a good teacher.

[iansinclair]

One might add, on the subject of male vs. female teacher or coach -- a huge part of singing is learning proper breath control and support, and these -- and the techniques which can be applied to help -- are not sex related.

The one area where I might expect the sex of the teacher vs. the student to matter would be in control and handling of the breaks in one's range.  Not so much a matter of a different technique, but perhaps a better understanding of where the breaks are or should be, and how to make them as invisible as possible.

There is one other, rather minor, area: a counter-tenor will almost certainly need some help from a coach -- not necessarily a counter-tenor -- who is familiar with that particular male range.  But that's not an issue here!

Bottom line?  Find a teacher with whom you are comfortable and who seems to help you -- regardless of sex!

[oxy60]

The vocal issues the original poster raised are very specific. For all the comments that followed not one of you have the slightest idea of the issues or what I wrote. I'm not going to give away the farm on an open forum and have people using my specific knowledge and spouting it as their own.