Understanding Head Voice and Falsetto: A Comprehensive Guide

When discussing vocal techniques, two crucial concepts often come up: head voice and falsetto. While both terms refer to high-pitched singing, they are distinct in various ways, including range, tension, resonance, and control.

What is Head Voice?

Head voice is a vocal register that typically employs the upper range and resonance within a singer's modal voice. This technique involves more vocal cord closure and tension, resulting in a fuller and more powerful sound. Essentially, head voice is a natural extension of your regular singing voice, and it can be utilized to enhance the dynamics and expressiveness of your performance.

Key Characteristics of Head Voice

Range: Head voice is used for higher pitches but remains within the singer's modal voice range.

Tension: Involves more vocal cord closure and tension, producing a richer, more resonant sound.

Resonance: Head voice produces a brighter and more powerful tone, resonating mainly in the head and nasal cavities.

Control: Offers greater dynamic control, allowing singers to vary volume and expressiveness.

What is Falsetto?

Falsetto, on the other hand, is a distinct vocal register characterized by a lighter sound and a more relaxed vocal cord closure. It is typically used for high pitches that are often above the singer's normal range. Falsetto involves less tension and less resonance compared to head voice.

Key Characteristics of Falsetto

Range: Also used for high pitches but often above the singer's normal range.

Tension: Involves less tension and a more relaxed vocal cord closure, resulting in a breathy and lighter sound.

Resonance: Typically has a breathy quality and resonates more in the head, lacking the richness of head voice.

Control: Less control over dynamics and often sounds softer and less powerful.

Clarifying the Difference

There is often confusion regarding the terms 'head voice' and 'falsetto'. To clarify, head voice is a register used within the normal vocal tract that takes advantage of the upper range and resonance, using only a portion of the vocal folds. Falsetto, however, is created by the space between the vocal folds, not the folds themselves vibrating. This is why falsetto lacks the same amount of resonance and 'ring' as head voice.

In women's voices, this can often be referred to as whistle tones because the sound is created in a similar way to how a whistle works. Understanding this distinction is crucial for singers.

Practicing and Utilizing Both Techniques

Utilizing both head voice and falsetto can increase a singer's range and versatility. However, it's important to understand the difference between these techniques. Head voice should be the primary method for reaching high notes, as it is a natural extension of your regular singing voice and allows for better control and expression. Falsetto can be used for stylistic effects, but it should be employed sparingly and with careful technique to avoid strain.

A Personal Example

A head voice is like when you are trying to call someone from far away, you are not screaming, but you are raising your voice, and it resonates in your head. On the other hand, falsetto is so high that you have to literally change your voice to sound 'false', almost like your regular voice is not intertwined and it is so high that you are reaching for it without straining. You should sing from your diaphragm.