The soprano is the highest singing voice on any musical scale. The vocal range is generally classified from approximately a middle C to a high A in choral music, or to a soprano C (two octaves above middle C). Of course, in the operatic realm of music, this range can extend even higher. In a chorus/choir/chorale, there are usually three to four singing parts, creating the harmonies you hear when these different voices are all blended together. In settings of this nature, the soprano voice always comprises the highest notes of any given song.
In the world of operatics, there are multiple classifications of "soprano," and these include rather detailed intonations, vibrato and such. For most of us, though, including diehard choir/chorale/chorus singers, there are two distinct classifications to be aware of: soprano and mezzo-soprano. While soprano is the highest note and range in any musical setting, the mezzo-soprano comprises the middle soprano voice. This voice generally extends from the A below the middle C note to the A two octaves above. Most group songs do not require the splitting of the soprano note; this is most commonly been used with classical songs.
Most choirs, chorales, choruses and general singing groups define their singing through four classifications: soprano, alto, tenor and baritone. In rare cases, there is the bass note (the lowest possible male singing range).
In a setting of this nature, the soprano is not only the highest singing voice, most often, it is also the voice and note of the song's melody. Even if you do not have a trained musical ear, you will be able to tell when something is off in the merging and harmonizing of these notes. The job of the soprano in these cases is keeping the melody, while the other sections harmonize on their own respective scales under the soprano note.
If a person stepped into the boxing ring without prior preparation or onto the track field without any athletic experience, you would call that person crazy, wouldn't you? In the same way, there is no way to call oneself a singer without understanding how to breathe properly. You cannot have one without the other. The true soprano is able to breathe from the diaphragm and release the higher notes with very minimal to no strain. Just because you are able to hit high notes does not mean that is where you are comfortable on a consistent level. Correct breathing takes place when your belly expands as you breathe in and contracts as you breathe out. Any other breathing style (sucking in air and lifting the shoulders, for example), is incorrect. Again, the soprano is able to breathe correctly, while singing high notes, without risk of tampering with the vocal chords.
Finding your vocal range is not as cut-and-dried as mirroring your speaking voice. For the most part, Americans speak lower than they sing, while Europeans have a penchant for speaking higher than they sing. The best way to determine and begin understanding your range is through vocal exercises. Just as the trained athlete needs to warm his body up, so the trained singer must first warm up his voice. As you work through the scale, you can get a feel for where you are comfortable and where the notes become more difficult to reach. Use the general classification in Section 1 to help you figure out whether you are a soprano or not.
What Is a Soprano?
The Different Classifications of Soprano
How Does the Soprano Range Fit in a Harmonic Setting?
Breathing Is the Key to Singing
What Is Your Vocal Range?
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