Find Your REAL Vocal Range in 6 Seconds [Don’t Sound Like an Idiot]

Many singers brag about their vocal range and how they can hit high notes.

But the truth is that vocal range is just a number on a page. And none of it matters – unless those notes sound good.

While vocal range is still a very important measurement for beginning singers, there's a large difference between absolute range and usable range (or tessitura).

How do you find these measurements of your vocal ability? I'll show you...

[BH-iqic]

I have to say, that I have a little bit of the usable range, but I find it frustrating for hitting the higher notes! Because, high notes for me, feels like I'm straining, a little bit. This is helpful information! Thank you Matt!

[ninij]

I worked on my bottom notes and high notes first, got them sounding better and now I'm working on my middle notes....they were _very_ weak at first, but they are starting to get stronger now.
It takes time and practice with exercises.
It's like the karate kid doing all that work with paint and cleaning, (wax on, wax off) before actually getting in the ring for battle, we have to train in ways that are not as stressful before we get it right.
Thank you Matt for all your wisdom.
💜☮

[VIDEOHEREBOB]

Great tutorial Matt. You're telling it like it is. As a gigging singer, I can totally agree. So many beginners miss these points.

[dominicsay]

I’ll admit, I love the idea of having a wicked large vocal range so I can record some dense jazzy harmonies, but this is a nice reminder that it’s more important to get all the notes sounding as good as possible first

[jt]

That figure 8 analogy is on point. I "unlocked" my falsetto range and got an extra octave but I couldn't smoothly transition so around D4 to G4 was a messy area. It still is, but it's improving over time

[lizettegratacoswys]

What you explain here is an issue that drives me crazy and I never heard anyone talk about it. The figure 8! I'm a woman and my passagio is at E and F. I love the lower notes and the high notes feel pretty cool, but those middle notes, where most most contemporary music is written; kill me. Thanks for this great video!

[TheScorpion]

Thanks for explaining this to where it's easier to understand i guess a lot of people mention vocal range because they would like to be able to compete with the best of course that's not always possible for everyone. but it's similar to weight lifting because you want to know your max and how heavy you can lift then work from there without hurting yourself
I use your app pretty often because I'm trying to find my true vocal range today i hit my highest which was D3-F6 with 3 octaves which i was proud of but i know i can't hit that regularly so i will stick with 1-2 octaves and keep working on it.
It's still confusing to me because I'm still learning and taking lessons from you and a few other's thank you i greatly appreciate what you do 🎤

[azekel]

I agree 100%, I think singers should focus on improving their existing good Notes further before they improve Vocal Range, because if two singers are singing in the same area and one of them has a "Big Range" and most of it is just squeaks and no actual techniques or clear notes and the other singer has an "Average Range", but it sounds like butter, they would obviously gravitate to the singer that has the "Average Range", because they sound better.

[saltyaddicts]

I'm just starting and I gotta say I've only been doing this for a week and watching all of your vids fam💯 I know my music sounds terrible rn but I used to think it would never get better. Because of AGT mentality. And it's an absolute blessing to know that I was wrong to give up because I thought it was something you are born with. And to know I found your channel bro. You are an angel you really are.☺️ For helping people the way you do. And I will continue to watch your content & you are right if it doesn't sound good then there's no point of hitting the notes 💯 I'm thinking about getting your program as well. And I've been subscribed to you for the past week. So I practice those exercises you demonstrate because you don't just talk you show us the walk and you do it with your head held high while also being a genuine soul 💯😎 Thank you for saying we all can sing because that has been my dream since I heard Johny Cash. Folsom Prison blues. I know my voice won't be like his but that's fine because I have my own voice & I want to unlock it with your knowledge. country is just my heart. & I hope only blessings come your way because you are so deserving of each one 🎶☺️💯

[OLBarbok]

This is exactly it, I am pretty good at super low and super high but my mid range is terrible.

[chrisaudios]

I do agree that range means nothing without quality. For the sake of it, I'll say my range for anyone who cares. My absolute range (without any extensive techniques) is
Bb1 - G4 - Bb5, 4 octaves. But my usable range is around C#2 - E4 - G5, 3 octaves and 6 semitones. I'm always working on it though.




And for anyone who wants to know, my absolute range with the extensive techniques is B-1 - Bb1 - G4 - C6, 6 octaves and 1 semitone

[DaleBaker-nzfh]

Absolutely magnificent video, I only found these videos today. I tried to use the voice range but for some reason was denied.

[HumbleTrader]

When you sing the B4, what coordination are you using and can it crescendo into a fuller sounding B4 without breaking?

[WideCuriosity]

Can't disagree with any of that Matt, but would suggest the one still has to hit a note before one can experiment and practice in order to find out how to do it right and improve how it sounds. Whether it's at the top of one's range or the bottom (equally desirable in my opinion). Not all learners are planning to sing in public, or if they do may only do so occasionally at karaoke where folk aren't expecting everyone to be a high standard. Perfection for one's performance is going to be less critical if one is not singing professionally. When practicing, as opposed to just singing (mediocrely) I probably concentrate 75% on the ends of my range, but still try to improve the "money range" too. And no, I don't brag, I don't think I'm good enough to draw attention to my lack of skill. Perhaps when I can mimic both Tim Storms and Georgia Brown well, then maybe I'll try a small boast.

[BonRiot]

Dude, I'm a baritone and E2 - E4 is awesome, and G#4-G#5 is also awesome. But F4-G4 scares me.

(ranting edit)
I've realized though that my high tenor notes sound cleaner and more relaxed if I master those in-betweens.

[ns]

My absolute vocal range is C#3 to C#6, but my usable range is F3-C5. Am i Contralto or Mezzo?

[mickoangelobanua]

OMG, my comment has shown in this video. Ahhahahahaha. Thanks for this wonderful and full of information video! I agree to your statement that Vocal Range is just a quantity and not a quality. In addition, it is better to sound great or good throughout your vocal range.

[wordforger]

I can hit C3 to C6 on a good day. But my best stuff sticks between E3 and B4 and doesn't hang on the F#4.

[alliezheng]

Hi! I'm a new fan here, I just wonder why there is a Chines poster hanging on your wall? Have you been coaching students in Chian?❤

[garycalvertii]

Today, I hit a B1. It didn't sound good, but I made it. Making my absolute range almost 4 octaves. I understand what he's saying, though. On a good day, I might have two octaves worth of notes that sound decent. I'm most comfortable between A2 and A4, maybe? Most days, probably more like a C4 or D4. I top out at Ab5, but hitting that note is a struggle, and doesn't sound good.