Low Voice Types: Bass, Baritone, and Tenor range

By Camille van Niekerk

Hey, guys! Do you know your voice type? Read on to learn more about bass, baritone, and tenor voices. 

Why should I determine my voice type? 

1. Knowing your voice type helps you choose good songs for your voice, so you’re not straining for notes outside of your comfortable range. It also gives you an idea of which singers you can most easily sing along with to work on stylization and tone. 

2. Once you’ve determined your voice type, you can use warmup routines specific to your range, so you aren’t getting confused as to which octave you should be singing in. 

3. If you sing in a choir or other group, you’ll have a better idea of which part to sing. 

 

How do I find my range?

Here’s an article with step-by-step instructions to find your vocal range.

 

Do contemporary singers use these classifications?

Yes! But keep in mind: voice types were initially classified according to classical music literature; specifically, which operatic roles were available for specific voice types. However, it is very common for contemporary singers to categorize themselves as basses, baritones, or tenors. Most (if not all) trained, experienced singers will know their voice type.

Additionally, many singers participate in choir at some point in their lives, and 4-part choral music is typically written for soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. It helps to know if you’re a tenor or a bass! What about baritones, you ask? A baritone with a higher tessitura may sing tenor 2, whereas a baritone with a lower tessitura may sing bass 1. 

Learn how to practice singinging as a tenor, bass, or baritone.

 

Is it possible to be more than one voice type?

It’s certainly possible for your range to cross from one vocal type into another. If you look at the respective ranges, you’ll see there’s overlap. After all, we’re not keyboards or guitars: we’re human beings with unique vocal instruments! 

If you have a difficult time determining which range really suits you best, consider your tessitura. Tessitura is the range in which you sound your best and feel most comfortable when singing. You may be able to squeak out a few “tenor” pitches or croak some “bass” notes; but what is the range in which your best tone can be showcased? That’s your tessitura; and knowing that is even more important than determining your highest and lowest notes. 

See below for specifics on each low voice type, including a list of singers with that vocal range! Listen to them for inspiration and consider incorporating their songs into your repertoire. 

 

BASS

• Range: E2-E4

• Lowest voice type

• Rarest voice type (among men)

• Dark, full timbre

 

Famous basses:

Leonard Cohen

Louis Armstrong

Melvin Franklin (The Temptations)

Avi Kaplan (Pentatonix)

Michael McCary (Boyz II Men)

J.D. Summer (Elvis Presley)

Barry White

Josh Turner

 

BARITONE

• Range: G2-G4

• Most common voice type (among men)

• Deep, rich timbre 

 

Famous baritones:

George Ezra

Matt Berninger (The National)

Beck

James Blake

Michael Buble’

Johnny Cash

John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival)

Mick Jagger

John Mayer

Anthony Kiedis (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

John Lennon

Dean Martin

Elvis Presley

Darius Rucker

Bruce Springsteen

Serj Tankian

Eddie Vedder

Randy Travis

Cat Stevens

Frank Sinatra

 

TENOR

• Range: C3-C5 (sometimes higher)

• Highest male voice type

• 2nd most common voice type (among men)

• Bright, light timbre

 

Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day)

Matt Bellamy (Muse)

James Blunt

Michael Bolton

Bono

Jeff Buckley

Phil Collins

Sam Cooke

Rivers Cuomo (Weezer)

Santino Fontana

Marvin Gaye

Dave Grohl

Rob Halford (Judas Priest)

Michael Jackson

Bruno Mars

Leslie Odom Jr. 

Ben Platt

The Weeknd

Gerard Way (My Chemical Romance)

Jónsi (Sigur Rós)

Steven Tyler

Brian Wilson (The Beach Boys)

 

Happy singing!