Voice types are usually determined by finding the range
in which you sing the most comfortably, and easily. Let's
take a look at the various classical voice types that are known to us. Please note that the voice types on this page
are merely indications, we suggest having your voice
tested by a professional voice coach.
Female Voice Types
Soprano - Highest female voice.
Vocal range : C4 to A5.
Common roles : Heroines
Famous sopranos : Maria Callas, Erna Berger, Inge Borkh.
Mezzo-soprano - Lower range than soprano, darker.
Vocal range : A3 to F5.
Common roles : Witches, Bitches.
Famous mezzo-sopranos : Emma Calvé, Cecilia Bartoli.
Alto - Lowest female voice type.
Vocal range : F#3 to E5.
Common roles : Maids, Mothers, Grandmothers.
Famous altos : Marianne Brandt, Maureen Forrester.
Male Voice Types
Sopranist - Countertenor with developed falsetto (rare).
Vocal range : B2 to B5/C5.
Common roles : Former Castrati roles.
Famous sopranists : Aris Christofellis, Radu Marian.
Countertenor - Above tenor, similar to female alto.
Vocal range : F#3 to E5.
Common roles : Former Castrati roles.
Famous countertenors : Brian Asawa, James Bowman.
Tenor - High male voice, below countertenor.
Vocal range : B2 to G4.
Common roles : Heroes, lovers.
Famous tenors : Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo.
Baritone - Above Bass, below Tenor.
Vocal range : G2 to E4.
Common roles : Comic, Noble.
Famous baritones : Sherrill Milnes, Victor Maurel.
Bass - Lowest male voice.
Vocal range : E2 to C4.
Common roles : Older men, Comic.
Famous basses : Cesare Siepi, Samuel Ramey.
There obviously are people with vocal abilities that consist
of multiple voice types. The voice types on this page are
the standard classical ranges.