The Baritone Conundrum

The question “What is your voice type?” is one that every singer, both amateur and professional, is asked at some point in their career. In music, the German Fach system is recognized as the international benchmark for classifying voices. It helps a singer discover their niche and best understand their own vocal capabilities. For some, classification comes naturally. For others, this is not so clear.

To that end, what particular qualities make up a voice? How do these various characteristics come into play for singers whose voices are much more ambiguous such as the baritone?

References

O'Connor, K. (2022). How to Determine Singing Range and Vocal Fach (Voice Type). SingWise. https://www.singwise.com/articles/how-to-determine-singing-range-and-vocal-fach-voice-type

O'Connor, K. (2022). Understanding Vocal Range, Vocal Registers, and Voice Type: A Glossary of Vocal Terms. SingWise. https://www.singwise.com/articles/understanding-vocal-range-vocal-registers-and-voice-type-a-glossary-of-vocal-terms

Tang, J., & Stathopoulos, E. T. (1995). Vocal efficiency as a function of vocal intensity: A study of children, women, and men. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 97, 1885-92. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.412062

Titze, I. R., & Sundberg, J. (1992). Vocal intensity in speakers and singers. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 91, 2936-46. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.402929

Van Raamsdonk, M. (2024, March 25). The Human Voice [PowerPoint]. UBC Canvas.