Understanding Untrained Tenor and Baritone Voices: A Guide for Voice Enthusiasts

Are you curious about whether your voice naturally aligns more with a tenor or a baritone? Determining your voice type is crucial for choosing the right vocal parts and training techniques. This guide will help you understand the differences between untrained tenor and baritone voices, including their vocal ranges and passaggio.

Step 1: Identify Your Vocal Range

Understanding your vocal range is the first step to classify your voice. Here are the common ranges for both voice types:

Untrained Tenor:

Typically, tenors have a range that extends from around C3 to C5. Well-developed tenors might even extend higher.

Untrained Baritone:

Baritones generally have a range from around A2 to A4. Note that the baritone range can vary depending on the singer's natural voice and training levels.

Step 2: Determine Your Passaggio

A passaggio is a transition point where your voice shifts between registers. For untrained singers, these points can be less defined. Here are the typical transition points for each voice type:

Untrained Tenor Passaggio:

Lower passaggio: around A4 to B4 Upper passaggio: around C5 to D5

Untrained Baritone Passaggio:

Lower passaggio: around G4 to A4 Upper passaggio: around B4 to C5

Step 3: Test Your Voice

To test your voice, perform the following steps:

Perform a Scale:

Start at a comfortable note and sing up and down a scale to gauge your upper and lower limits.

Identify Breaks:

Pay attention to where your voice feels strained or where you notice a change in quality. This is often your passaggio.

Comfort Zone:

Identify the notes you can sing effortlessly. Tenors tend to find higher notes easier, while baritones feel more comfortable in the lower range.

Conclusion

If your comfortable singing range is higher with a smoother transition above A4, you are likely a tenor. If you find that your voice is more comfortable in the lower range with ease around G4, you are likely a baritone. However, if you are unsure, consider consulting a vocal coach for a more precise assessment.

For those in their teens or early twenties, it is too early to definitively classify your voice type. Vocal training and puberty can significantly impact your voice range. Most practical purposes, the tenor voice should be able to sing the octave G3 to G4 without difficulty. If you don't have that range, it is best to think of yourself as a baritone.

It is important to note that passaggio transition points can vary based on vowel and technique. For untrained voices, these points may be less defined, making it challenging to self-assess accurately. A professional vocal coach or choir director can provide more definitive advice.

Happy singing!