What is the best type of music for baritones to sing?
Just because there aren't many baritones singing pop songs out there--and actually there are--doesn't mean you need to automatically limit yourself one type of music. Sing whatever the hell you want. Change the key if you want. You did anyway (this isn't the same range Adele sings it in anyway right?) You "just found out" that you're a baritone? Who said you were? You don't sound as if you've had much (if any) formal training and you want to go and limit yourself. Now's the time to experiment--which you can do as long as you don't ever force yourself to hit notes you can't comfortably hit, or try to sing louder than you can do without winding up hoarse. Get some voice lessons if you wish to improve your singing skills. Remember there are teachers than also train pop singers. By the way, a Wikipedia article on Josh Groban (who is a pop singer with at least several years of classical training) points out that people can't agree whether he is a tenor or baritone (his range is very wide). It sums up the controversy very nicely with this statement: " There is currently no authoritative system of voice classification in non-classical music. The problem lies in the fact that classical terms are used to describe not merely various vocal ranges, but specific vocal timbres each unique to those respective ranges, and produced by the classical training techniques with which most popular singers are not intimately familiar and which are not universally employed by the few that are." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Groban Maybe someday the people will tire of whiny whispery tenors and then what? Some kid might write in to Yahoo Answers asking how he can change his high voice to sound like YOURS.
What voice type would be the most appropriate for singing castrati repertoire?
A real dilemma: The original Castrati had the timbre-cast of a high alto or soprano, with this distinction: The same high note in a female sounded brighter in this neutered male singer. Add the bulk of a greater-sized rib cage, etc. and this was another set of factors. Simply hear a soprano a' and a tenor high a'. Same pitch, whole other story. The lower register of the castrato was much more secure and 'present' than the slightly hollow and haunting sound of a low alto or contralto like Kathleen Ferrier. So, to reach a satisfactory medium is pretty impossible without barbarously re-creating an actual castrati. Add to the horror the surgical arrest of the boy's development did not mean the child's voice would develop to be an especially good or great one and ~ oh! some people have a lot to answer for. I think you already know that the vocal(s) in the film Farinelli were the combined and digitally mixed voices of a Falsetto male and a female. There was a male jazz singer who's testicles never descended, so the testosterone did not kick in. His voice is castrati - like, by all accounts. I regret not recalling his name. The freakishness aside, he was another great jazz singer, with all the attendant qualities and flawless pitch. There is one early scratchy recording of the last living castrati, singing some ghastly late-romantic sentimental church music. Best, Petr B.
How can I improve my singing voice?
Well currently I am fourteen years young and proud of it. The reason I'm asking a question right now is because... well I need the information on it obviously. Here's a little insight on me: I'm a female who is fourteen and heading into freshman year. When I was little I'd always be singing and dancing on video in front of my family. My dad was a dj so I was really into music. I would always entertain my family on holidays and other things. So pretty much I can say I absolutely LOVE singing. It's my passion and I'm willing to do almost anything that has to do with it. I've been in singing classes throughout elementary school and middle school. I'm now planning on taking a choir class in high school as well. Just last year I had my own solo in our spring show and it was my first. I don't think I did that great but if you want to see it, its on myspace videos and type in kelseys first solo. I really dont like the way it sounds because I don't think my vocals were ready. I would love to become a famous singer someday more than anything I've ever wanted. It is my dream and I'll keep pushing until my dream comes true. Pretty much, are there any tips that you guys can give me to improve my singing voice? I know I'm going to need a teacher and thats what choir class is for. Any other stretching tips or vocal exercises I could do regularly? I sing practically everyday. Sometimes when I sing my throat starts hurting and so I know I'm doing some- thing wrong. I would love to sing like Demi Lovato because I believe she has an Amazing voice. - and I just saw her in concert - Please.... any suggestions/ tips/ exercises or anything you guys can give me and help me out to make my dream come true. Thank you so much for your support. <3 And please nothing too harsh on the video, it was my first solo, and I was a little nervous but I'm over it now. I know I can do wayyy better on other songs I just dont want to stress my voice. Just constructive/ helpful critisizm and nothing harsh. Thank you lotts. :]
When someone says 'a sweet singing voice', what kind of a voice do you imagine?
generally, a light lyric soprano conjours up the description sweet. We go by the clarity of sound, a sort of bodilessness ( although you well know to the contrary that there is a lot of body energy that goes into it!) and a certain freshness or even naivete. Everything that is sung has a clear direct ring to it, and there is usually no hint of drama or power to it. A situation that may change with time and training. It is not an age factor, however. Certain famous soprani kept their sweet sound all through their careers. I point to the still active Helen Donath who is now in her 40th career year, and still sounds sweet. Mirella Freni's voice, as a young woman, was sweet, but matured into a riper lyric or lirico-spinto sound. This was in part, due to genetics, and mostly due to a fabulous technique. And good common sense, that kept her singing the lyric roles until her voice was ready to take on the heavier stuff. This is a mistake that ruins many young singers- the desire to give more and more at too young an age. The sweetness is the first thing to disappear! Stay sweet as long as you can!