Your Individual Vocal Quality.
Are you really meant to sing a certain genre?
I think so, (there may be a couple that suit you even). From what I have seen from teaching over 15 years (all types of voices and genres), each voice really suits certain styles best.
To be clear, a lot of voices can “sing through” a lot of styles. For example, I can sing any Disney Song. But I know that Disney is not going to hire me to play Arial, because I do not have a young fresh clean quality to my sound. (I am more of a deep soulful sound that lends itself well to emotional drama often found in Opera, and Ethnic Music.)
One of my students who has a lovely voice sounds pretty in everything she sings, but compare a jazz standard in her voice which is nice to a Disney song and you would see there is no comparison- she is an Arial in the making.
I think it is important to know your voice and what you are good at, especially in your auditions. Make sure you are singing what really rings in your sound so people don’t have to stretch themselves to imagine what else you can do, or where they might put you.
I know there will be many times for those of you who are singing professionally that you will get a gig and be asked to sing something that doesn’t really shine in your voice. That of course is part of the job as a hired singer. As long as it does not hurt your voice and is in your range, you just have to go for it. In those situations, you need to rely on your acting and commitment to the song to bring you through.
I recently assessed a fabulous Christmas CD, through my “Vocal Asssessment” program on my website (where you send me your voice and I advise you and answer your questions), that a Voice Lessons To Go user made for his Christmas Card. Her wanted an evaluation of all the songs he recorded. It was a total joy to go through and advise on, but I will say this man’s voice was amazing every time he performed a Frank Sinatra type of Swing piece. Where he struggled was on some of the standard Christmas Carols. Now someone else may have had the opposite result depending on their vocal quality.
I say, sing through all types of music, but really try and clue into what you are good at for your public performances. Whether they are Karaoke, auditions, or the stage.
There are all types of qualities your voice may have, here are a few simple examples of some qualities and genre couplings. You really need to sing through music to find your style. Also, getting a professional opinion of a voice teacher or coach will really help you define what music suits you.
If your voice is thinner- perhaps you are well suited for folk or rennaisance music
thicker- jazz, soulful music
raspy- rock, blues,
bright- musical theater
Classical- opera, choral
If you deliver great phrasing- consider jazz standards
If you do not have access to a private voice teacher and want an opinion of what type of style and genre you are best suited for, you can use my “Vocal Assessment” program through my website www.voicelessonstogo.com. There you send me a link, mp3, or CD of your voice and I will answer your questions an be your “virtual voice teacher”. I offer many packages for on going or one time assessments.
Sing well!
Ariella Vaccarino
www.voicelessonstogo.com
Tags: how do I know what songs to sing, what you should be singing, your vocal qualtiy
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