#extending your range

[i-remember-there-was-mist]

(part 1) im competing in a highschool level musical theatre competition next year for backstory. i picked a song, which has a few really high belt notes that i can reach but BARELY (hard to stay on and sharp) and they strain my voice to hell. recently I had another song I was performing with a note I reacted similarly to but after a few months it is now easy and comfortable. I was wondering if perhaps it will work out that way for these new notes?

It’s definitely possible, but I can’t say for sure.  Some notes are just outside of our range, others just take work and require honing our technique in order to reach.  Try to just be gentle with your voice as you work your way up there--don’t try to rush yourself up to those notes, because you don’t want to cause damage as you work!

[i-remember-there-was-mist]

With proper teaching, practice, and gentle stretching, do you think it is possible for an unexperienced singer to extend their range noticeably? Thanks so much for answering so many questions!

Oh yes, absolutely!  I think many people who are untrained are shocked to see that they can actually sing much farther than they expected once they are in training and have the tools to unlock those parts of their range!  Those super high notes and super low notes don’t just come naturally to everybody--you need to have the training and knowledge and foundation in order to safely reach them!

[i-remember-there-was-mist]

Hi Christine! What's the average amount of notes someone can usually extend their range?

It really depends.  When I start working with an untrained singer, I’ve been able to work with them to extend their range over an octave.  That just comes from learning support, proper breathing, etc.  But for trained singers who have already had that initial range “boost,” I’ve found that most won’t be able to extend more than a few notes.  There are absolutely exceptions, but I wouldn’t tell a singer to expect that they’ll gain an octave over the course of a few months or anything.  I’ve also found that most students of mine who have extending their ranges extensively have actually had it happen in their low range.  A lot of singers focus on their technique in their top range and kind of ignore their low range, so unlocking the resonance down there can really open up a whole new section of their voices!  

Anyways, getting off track.  I think there’s no average, but it could be anywhere from none to an octave.  I mean, at the place I am in my voice, I don’t expect to really be able to extend my voice anymore.  I already have over three octaves in my range...I don’t foresee much change from here.  But people just starting out who perhaps only think they can sing within a single octave often find that they can unlock different parts of their voice once they start training.  But every voice is different, so it’s difficult to pinpoint an average.

That was super long and convuluted, I’m sorry. Hope it made sense!  

[i-remember-there-was-mist]

Hi Christine, the highest note i can hit is E5, would it be possible to extend my range to an E6? (if it helps the lowest noet in my range is D3)

I’d say probably not, but anything could happen.  Generally when we work to extend the range, we can sometimes extend it a few notes, but rarely can we extend it a full octave when it’s in that part of your range.  There’s no reason you shouldn’t try, but I would say work towards smaller goals.  Working towards increasing your range by an octave is pretty ambitious, and an E6 is not a note everybody has.  So start a note at a time--start by trying to safely get yourself to an F5.  Keep in mind that if those notes are within your range, it’ll likely take years to safely work your way up there.  Please please just don’t push yourself too hard.  That’s a huge jump, and it’s increasing your range by 50%.  That’s huge.  And it’s not to be taken lightly.  Safety first, always.  

[i-remember-there-was-mist]

I'm a high tenor (A3-C5) and I want to expand my range. Should I focus on getting higher or lower? Both?

I’d say lower for sure.  I don’t know a ton about the male range, but after categorizing a TON of males roles (which you can find here!) you will see that almost all of them require well below an A3.  So I’d say work on strengthening that lower range!