I am in college; I take voice as a hobby. (I think that, in addition to reading, it’s my favorite one.) I wanted to know: A. Can vocal range be “improved?” My lower range isn’t the best, and I wish I could sing higher. B. I hear there are nine “sub-types” of soprano? Is it at all possible, (at least to some degree), to improve repertoire? To statemy query a different way, I’ve heard lots of operatic and
musical/Broadway songs I’ve loved and wish, at least once, to try and sing, if only in the presence of my vocal instructor. Is altering/improving/slightly changing one’s “sub-class” possible in any
way with training? Would performing these songs be at all feasible with hard work?
Thanks for the help; I’m very grateful.

Amy Herstein

Hi Amy,

Thank you for trusting me with your singing questions.

A. Yes, your vocal range can be improved. You are born with a voice that sits in a natural place, that you can’t change, but you can get yourself singing in the healthiest and freest way possible that allows for all of your naturally given range to fill in. You need to be supporting your voice, using the correct abdominal muscles, getting the throat muscles and tongue out of the way so that your sound is free to come out and flourish. Combing free singing and properly supported singing, will increase your range and stamina.

B. Regarding being able to fit yourself into certain subclasses of the soprano voice, also known as your Fach, again, I believe you are naturally preprogrammed to lend your voice to a certain fach. But that is will great singing technique. I have not heard you and do not know how far you have to grow as a singer. A lyric soprano, may never be able to touch a coloraturas range, as a coloratura may never find herself singing with a rich luscious warm quality.

Some voices tend to have qualities of a few different fachs and a choice has to be made by the instructor or singer as to which direction they should study. Just because you can sing a dramatic sopranos Aria well, does not mean your voice could handle it night after night in a production. It is vocal quality, range, timbre, body strength, and physical build that determines your fach.

The best thing you can do of course id get yourself to a great voice teacher for their opinion of your voice and its possibilities. I would be happy to hear and assess you in my “Vocal Assessment” program on my website, to give you some more personal input.

It’s great to hear how much you are enjoying to sing!

Ariella Vaccarino

Hello there! I just bought your two CD’s..and they are WONDERFUL….I’ve been wanting to learn how to sing for the longest time now and I finally took the initiative to learn the other day…so I ordered your CD’s…and they’ve been super helpful so far…so I thank you for that. I just have one question — how do I find out what kind of singer I am using your CD’s? Is it possible to find out? And do you suggest I take private lessons along with the CD’s?

Once again, thank you…..

Warmly,
Myra

Hi Myra,

I am so happy you are working with and enjoying my voice lessons. When you ask me what kind of singer you are do you mean voice type or genre? Voice type would be alto, soprano, mezzo-soprano in other words the range of notes you feel comfortable singing best and where you voice sits. Or do you mean what style would suit you best: classical, rock, pop etc…

I would be happy to assess your voice in my Vocal Assessment section on of the website. You send me your voice and I assess it within a week. Other than that, you need to sing what is comfortable. If there is a certain style that calls to you, try it out and see if it fits.

A voice teacher (myself or another one), can let you know if the timbre and quality of your voice fits a certain genre. As far as range goes, again sing what is comfortable. There should never be any straining or pushing. Certain notes will just automatically fit into your tessiatura- that is the natural range your voice shines in.

Good Luck.- Ariella

Email from Olimpio Russo

Hi. Are the voice lessons to go cds for females only, or for both, males and females?

Hi, my goal for Voice Lessons To Go is to bring singing to anyone who wants to learn. That is why I have had to keep the range of them friendly for all singers. I encourage you on the CDs to drop out at any point in any exercise if you feel they are too low or high. So these are for both male and female singers. Thank you for your interest.