There are three basic voice types that are common to all genders and singing ranges: , '''Spinto''', and '''Dramatic'''.
- - This voice is smooth and mellow. When a Lyric voice becomes loud, it can sound strenuous or very pushed. As a result, it does not like to sing loudly frequently. Agility and crisp diction are its strong points. In Opera , characters with lyric voices are generally more vulnerable. The voice usually consists of a warm, full, graceful sound which can be heard over an orchestra. Subcategories of this would be full lyric and light lyric. Full lyrics have fairly heavier voices and sing roles like Puccini's Mimi. Lighter lyrics, which can often be covered by soubrettes, cover roles like Mozart's Pamina. An example of a full lyric would be Mirella Freni . A lighter lyric would be someone like Nicole Cabell . In soul music, lyric singers have crisp diction and good range and sing better at lower volumes than loud. Other examples of singers with a Lyric voice include Kathleen Battle , Dawn Upshaw , Amel Larrieux , Amerie Rogers , Ashanti Douglas , and LeToya
- - This voice has a more robust and full sound compared to a lyric voice. It can be pushed (hence its Italian name) to dramatic climaxes, but also has a very lyric quality. It handles vocal dynamic changes very well. In Opera this voice is often considered a "baby" dramatic; a larger voice but not quite to the level of dramatic. Many spintos will develop into dramatics later into their careers. An example of a spinto role is Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni. Renee Fleming is arguably a spinto at this point in her career. Other examples of singers with a Spinto voice include Kelly Clarkson , Celine Dion , Whitney Houston , Christina Aguilera , and Brittany Hargest of Jump5 .
- - This voice can sing over the orchestra, the choir, and any other accompaniments. As the vocal chords are thicker, agility is usually compromised. Singers who are classified as having dramatic voices have very strong, vigorous and puissant singing voices. In Opera , characters with dramatic voices are usually strong, Heroic , and frequently Tragic . A very powerful and large voice which can be heard over full orchestras; sings roles such as Madama Butterfly, Tosca, and Aida. An example of a dramatic soprano would be Maria Callas . When referring to popular singers, dramatic singing voices are loud, strong and full of emotion. Singers known to have a Dramatic voice include Birgit Nilsson , Kirsten Flagstad , Gwyneth Jones , Regine Crespin and Patti Labelle .
- - Although not directly related to vocal weight, a full voice is a voice rangy enough to be capable of executing two or more vocal ranges with equal ease. A full soprano (e.g. Wagnerian soprano) has significant abilities below Middle C (but can execute Soprano C, effortlessly again and again). Full voices tend to be lyric in quality (but can very well be dramatic), as vocal thickness tends to hinder agility. Examples include Kirsten Flagstad , Beyoncé Knowles
The following subcategories apply to women:
- - A very light, sweet soprano voice, that is best in the middle voice. The roles a soubrette plays are usually fun, flirty characters like Mozart's Despina. Soubrette roles are often covered by light lyrics and lyric coloraturas as well. In popular music, a soubrette can be considered a female ''' Soprano ''' that sings best in middle voice with no strenuous vocal dynamics and is not expected to perform any coloratura (notes in Whistle Register ). Examples include Kathleen Battle , Ileana Cotrubaş , Alison Hagley , and Britney Spears .
- - In terms of range, the coloratura is a subclass of soprano at can execute notes well above Soprano C , and can sing in Whistle Register . See Coloratura for more information. There are a few subtypes:
- - This is a very rare lyric coloratura soprano, whose voice starts at the D or E above middle C and extends to the High F (or above). This voice has virtually no low tones. This voice type is '''very''' rare.
- - A rare (and usually lyric) coloratura that can execute vocals in the Seventh Octave , where notes lose any real human color. The sometimes strident whistle register notes at that altitude can be said to mimic a piccolo, hence its name. Examples include Minnie Riperton .
- - A light soprano which has a large upper extension and ability for coloratura. Sings roles like Lakme and Olympia, though sometimes lyric coloraturas cover dramatic coloratura roles as well. An example of this voice type would be Natalie Dessay .
- - Is powerful enough to sound dramatic, but unlike many other voice types, agility is not compromised and so, can execute vocal acrobatics and melismas. Can span at least three octaves and can sustain coloratura. In classical music, it can sing over the orchestra with ease and agility. The famous Queen of the Night is an example of this role; as well as Lucia di Lammermmoor. An example of this voice type is Joan Sutherland .
The following subcategories apply to men:
- - The male equivalent of a splint, this tenor voice is very light, but has a nice trumpetty quality and is capable of high altitude.
- - A rich, loud and dramatic voice capable of singing to the low G or A below Middle C and execute the Tenor C (or B one step below) effortlessly. Traslates to "heroic-tenor," and thus requires that the singers in the role actually exhibit on-stage drama of some type. Thus the inclusion of any pop singer in this category is severely misguided, as any Heldentenor does, by nature, sing in a musico-drama setting. This vocal fach is often endemic to German Romantic operatic repetoire (i.e. Wagner, Beethoven's Florestan). This voice is not common. , a special tenor with a dark baritonal lower register but a higer Tessitura than a true baritone. An example is Stevie Wonder .
- - A rich and deep, extremely dark dramatic male voice capable of executing notes at or lower than C2, C two octaves below Middle C . Examples of such singers are Tony Jay , Barry White and Isaac Hayes .
- - An extremely rare male voice, essentially has the same tessitura as the Contralto and can easily execute many notes above middle C in chest voice. Voice tone usually has an androgynous quality. An example in pop music is Sylvester James .
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