When people talk about a singer’s voice, they often focus on the singer’s vocal tone. Since voices are formed and developed within the human body – and every single body is unique – no two vocal tones are exactly the same. This uniqueness makes it virtually impossible to say what a voice “should” sound like as there is an endless variety of voices and vocal tones across the world.
Vocal tones can be described in countless ways, for example “brassy”, “dull”, “metallic”, “smooth”, “harsh”, etc. These descriptions provide valuable insight into what the singer is experiencing in terms of their own perceptions and sensations, as well as what they are striving for. It is also worth noting that a singer’s experience and perspective of their own voice often differs from how listeners experience and perceive it, and vice versa.
What’s in a tone?
A singer’s vocal tone is a deeply unique and individual thing. In my experience as a teacher, mentor and vocal coach, I have observed that vocal tone is shaped by five key factors:
- Genetics – The natural vocal traits a singer is born with.
- Age and Conditioning – A singer’s age can influence the condition of their voice. Additionally, the age at which they began singing and whether they have maintained consistent practice can impact their vocal advancement, including pitch accuracy.
- Training and Development – The extent of the singer’s vocal development – whether the voice has been deliberately trained and the effectiveness of that training.
- Care and Vocal Health – How the singer looks after their voice and its overall condition.
- Psychological Factors and Emotional State – A singer’s confidence, level of relaxation and emotional connection to a song can significantly influence their vocal tone
All of these factors contribute to shaping your unique vocal tone.
How do I know if my vocal tone is good or bad?
This is a very subjective question with no definitive answer. Vocal tone preferences vary widely – some people love a brassy voice while others don’t. Similarly, a soft or distorted voice might captivate some listeners while leaving others indifferent. It is a matter of personal taste.
That said, there is a general consensus when it comes to determining if a voice is “good” or “bad”, and it often starts with how well a singer stays in tune. For example, most listeners find a singer who can consistently sing on pitch more enjoyable than one who struggles with tuning, regardless of their vocal tone. If you are unsure where to start with improving your vocal tone then try focusing on developing your pitch accuracy and build from there.
How do I change my vocal tone?
Changing your vocal tone can be relatively simple to quite complex, depending on the five key factors mentioned earlier. Tension in the voice can also impact the tone you are aiming to achieve.
When exploring your vocal tone, pay close attention to how it feels when you sing. As a general rule, if it doesn’t feel good then you are probably not doing it in a healthy way. Prioritising a natural and healthy vocal approach not only helps you avoid strain, vocal abuse and damage, it also allows your unique vocal tone to flourish within your genetic and physical capabilities.
Mimicking other singers can also be a valuable tool in helping to discover, explore and experiment with different vocal tones. This practice can open up new possibilities for your voice, whether you’re enhancing your tone to suit a specific genre or adding versatility and commercial appeal to your sound.
If you are unsure what your voice sounds like, how it feels to you or how to enhance your vocal tone (which requires time, guidance and conscious practice), then seek out a qualified and reputable voice teacher who can help guide you through the process. Every singer has a unique vocal tone and with the right approach, it can be developed and expanded.
