New Bass Singer

Yeah..

I'm undertaking a voice training right now, singing the BASS part of a choir.

I do actually sing TENOR parts on past performances, and it definitely take a lot of effort for me to sing those low notes - but my trainer believe that I can.

Can you guys give me advise on how can I improve singing my new part?

Based on your own training and experiences, can you post here copies of the drills you're using which I can also use?

Thanks in advance for those who will have time to respond.

Sincerely,

James ;)

I don't want to contradict your trainer but, if you really are a tenor you won't become a bass.

let's "examinate" you :D

2 months ago, at any hour except early on morning ... what was the lowest note you can sing in ff ?

2 months ago, at any hour except early on morning ... what was the highest note you can sing in ff ?

with that info I may especulate more ....

Why are you trying to become a different voice type than what you actually are?

It shouldn

let's "examinate" you :D

1. what was the lowest note you can sing in ff ?

2. what was the highest note you can sing in ff ?

with that info I may especulate more ....

I really don't know why I am on bass now. It's probably the bad impression during the audition. I really don't know.

My answers..

1. G3

2. G5

Why are you trying to become a different voice type than what you actually are?

Really don't know Matt. I also don't know what he thinks. But my instructor say that I can. Anyway, I'm now seeing improvements on my voice range, I'm on my second week of training and I think I'm singing those G2, but of course in soft passages.

If you’re naturally a tenor 1 it will be harder to stretch to reach low bass. It’s possible to stretch to nearly any range if you work at it enough, but in most cases it won’t be permanent. As soon as you stop singing in that range (and therefore keeping your voice stretched to it) it will begin to shift back to its natural range.

I agree you with that.

When I need to stretch my voice lower I usually get up early so that my voice is low and raspy. I quickly get in the shower (this helps wake me up which causes my voice tighten and stretch higher for some reason) and I sing as low as I can while I'm waking myself up in the shower. This keeps my voice low through my "wake up stage" and usually gives me an extra 5 or 6 notes to the low end of my range for the rest of the day. I use that to my advantage and practice my descending scales as low as my voice will allow which causes my voice to remain lower the next day and I repeat the process. I don’t know if this technique works for everyone, but it’s worth a try. I'm a tenor 1 and I have stretched my voice to sing a solid low Bb (below the bass clef) in less than a week before. Give it a shot!

Hope that helps somewhat. Good luck!

I'll try it. I appreciate this. Thanks, pianoman.

My answers..

1. G3

2. G5

Then you're a Baritone, that's it, no need to risk you voice trying to become something else, .... Baritone is very good and useful.

Maybe what you could do is to improve your "timbre", not the range, the timbre .... Darker maybe ? ....that's up to your trainer.

Ok, thanks. Typo error G5=G4. Many thanks. I'll do my best to improve my timbre. Thanks to the three of you.;)

Then you're a Baritone, that's it, no need to risk you voice trying to become something else, .... Baritone is very good and useful.

Maybe what you could do is to improve your "timbre", not the range, the timbre .... Darker maybe ? ....that's up to your trainer.

I actually disagree with this. It might just be me, but, James, I say your voice is your own and you can sing whatever you want to. Certain ranges will invariably be easier for you to sing, but it is possible to stretch your voice enough to be able to sing a number of differant ranges (though this can be harder for some people to do). Rapidly stretching your voice farther than comfort CAN damage your voice, so be careful. But I dont think stretching from baritone to low bass will be terribly detrimental to you. GO FOR IT! Work hard, you'll get there. I am a natural baritone as well, but, over several months of practice and training, I have stretched to sing tenor 1 (its just so much more fun) and have solidly held my voice there for a while now. I did the stretching properly (slowly and naturally, not pushing to hard and laying off when I voice hurt) and havent had any negative effects on my voice.

I think you're both right if I will try to improve myself both on my comfort range and also try to go some extra mile. I really thought that I am a Tenor because it's more easier for me to sing F#5 than A2. But I can say that I am still an amateur. Thanks SYS65. Thanks pianoman.

Then you're a Baritone, that's it, no need to risk you voice trying to become something else, .... Baritone is very good and useful.

A two-octave range from G3 to G5 is NOT a baritone. In fact, that's not even close. In choral music, G3 to G5 fits the EXACT definition of an alto range.

Maybe what you could do is to improve your "timbre", not the range, the timbre .... Darker maybe ? ....that's up to your trainer.

Are you just throwing scraggy out there and hoping something will stick? Seriously, lol, you've never heard his voice but you're suggesting he needs a darker timbre. What if he is swallowing his vowels and needs a wider, brighter timbre?

A two-octave range from G3 to G5 is NOT a baritone. In fact, that's not even close. In choral music, G3 to G5 fits the EXACT definition of an alto range.

Okay, just to give clarity, it's a typographical error. G5 should be G4. It should be G3-G4. And what he's asking is just notes which I can sing in fortissimo passages two months ago.

Are you just throwing scraggy out there and hoping something will stick? Seriously, lol, you've never heard his voice but you're suggesting he needs a darker timbre. What if he is swallowing his vowels and needs a wider, brighter timbre?

Let me give you idea what does my voice is actually sounds like.

I started singing as a counter-tenor when I am 7 years old. Most of the times, I sing soprano 2 part, rather than alto parts. Then as I grow up, and as I learn how to improve singing using my chess voice/tone, I started singing tenor parts, and lastly baritone parts. But my concern right up now is singing those low notes because my trainer said that I can also sing bass part (Bass 1 maybe). I'm really exerting lot of efforts to sing this part.

Sorry if I can't attach any of my recorded voice here. But I think he's right when he say that I need to make my timbre more darker. :cool: