Vocal Range
- Definition
- Vocal range is the full span of pitches, from lowest to highest, that a particular singer can comfortably produce. Songwriters consider vocal range when shaping a melody so that it fits the voice meant to perform it.
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Songwriting stage
- writing
In practice
Every singer has a different vocal range, and even within a comfortable range, some notes are easier and stronger than others. When writing a melody intended for a specific singer—whether that is the songwriter themselves or someone else—it helps to know roughly where that voice sits most comfortably and to avoid writing long passages that sit consistently at the very top or bottom edge of their ability, since those extremes are harder to sustain and control.
If a song is being written without a specific singer in mind, such as for general use or for other artists to record, a narrower, more moderate range tends to make the song easier for a wider variety of voices to perform well. Many well-loved melodies fit comfortably within about an octave, keeping the song accessible rather than demanding an exceptional range from every singer who attempts it.
Example
A songwriter writing for a baritone singer keeps the verse melody in the lower-middle part of his range and saves the highest notes for just two key words in the chorus, so the one moment of vocal stretch stands out instead of straining through the entire song.