I’ve spoken about my thoughts on tone in blogs gone by but I’ve always been curious about what other people think is more important for a vocalist. The reason why I got thinking is because a vocal student brought me a singing program by a guy named Brett Manning from the US. Nothing wrong with the course at all other than it possibly being too advanced for people ordering it over the internet. What did bother me was the massive focus on range. Yes it is important but in my opinion not as important as tone quality. I’d go as far as saying they go hand in hand but what good is a singer with 7 octaves if they sound like “crap”?
I started researching singers with large ranges & it’s quite amazing how high some women & men have gone! Off the piano in fact, wow! But looking at some of the greatest recording artists they certainly don’t have the biggest ranges of all time. For the most part 3, pushing 4 octaves. The odd few aka the Mariah’s have 5 I would hazard to guess but when last did you hear Mariah going that high…or low?
So my question to you is what do you think is more important for a singer, a big range or great tone? If you’re unclear on what tone is, it’s simply the sound quality of the voice.
#1 by Garth Taylor on 17 November, 2009 - 11:44 AM
I think that without a great tone, one is simply not a great singer !
In my humble opinion, Its the difference between only being able to listen to a single track on an album or pressing the repeat button and never growing tired of the songs. In terms of “tone”, take the tone of a car hooter .. how long can one withstand it before going absolutely crazy? Then compare it with the smooth sounds of a steinway grand piano, or a nylon string guitar, or even a tenor sax playing a solo in the London subways?
My opinion .. Tone is everything
#2 by Danni Bowler on 9 March, 2010 - 3:35 PM
I think its all about tone – obviously the dynamics one can achieve with range adds that “wow” factor.
But there is nothing more beautiful or interesting than hearing someone with amazin tone – its just a vocal quality that can make u listen to someone for hours
you can have a tiny range and still produce the most beautiful music if u have great tone!