Singing For Dummies
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Just as women struggle with the transition between the chest voice and middle voice, men have a tough transition moving into head voice. With some practice, men can successfully maneuver in this area of the voice.

The following illustration shows the average female head voice range. Ladies, you may not feel much difference between your head voice and your middle voice until you get quite high in your head voice, because the vibrations gradually move up into your head as you go higher in pitch. You also feel a slight change as you descend.

You may want to explore some of the patterns that leap around so you can really feel how the vibrations change. Mezzos may have more of a struggle with head voice than sopranos. At the transition to head voice, you may find some notes unreliable in the beginning. Keep practicing and you’ll figure out how to work your head voice.

Female head voice range.
Female head voice range.

The following illustration shows the average male head voice range. For men, working on head voice is important for a good balance when you sing. But you should work on your falsetto before attempting to push your head voice too high. If your voice feels strained as you work on the higher patterns, working your falsetto until you can move in and out of it easily.

You can also go back to some middle voice exercises until that part of your voice works easily. When you understand the feelings of middle voice, you can more easily understand when you’re pushing too hard for head voice in ascending patterns.

Male head voice range.
Male head voice range.

About This Article

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Pamelia S. Phillips is a professional singer with over 35 years of teaching experience. She has designed curriculum for high school students, college BFA programs, and professional training programs, helping thousands of singers refine their singing technique.

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