All of this discussion about voice parts has me wondering: How do voice
teachers, music directors, etc. determine what voice part a singer
actually is? Someone told me once that the decision is not just based on
range but that other factors play a part. Unfortunately, they never
elaborated much further than saying it has to do with "color" or "timbre"
(sp?) of the voice.
I occasionally sing duets & trios with a mezzo soprano friend. She sings
the lower woman's part & I sing the higher part. I have been dubbed a
"mezzo"-soprano by some directors in the past but, unlike my sometimes
partner, my voice teacher approaches my lesson as though I am a "low"
(her word) soprano with somewhat of a dramatic bent, I sing what would be
considered soprano literature & sing soprano in the choral setting -
typically 2nd because in many cases it is because I can hear the part. My
sometimes partner sings alto in a choral setting. Our ranges are not
disimilar but she is stronger at the lower end of the range & I am
stronger at the upper end of the range.
I had even muddled through singing alto in church choir in the past for
two seasons but it was quite uncomfortable & I frequently got thrown up
to the high soprano notes at the end of the same pieces. Even sang tenor
once - an octave up! Sleeping with the director (my husband) does not
always give one the advantage...especially when he didn't always have the
voices to cover all of the parts.
Can someone shed some light on all of this for me?
Thanks!
Pat Smith
________________________________________________________________
|
|  |
