Vocal Points: Battle of the Sexes

posted in: Features • Pop

We all have preferences when it comes to music, and genre is just one of many factors that determine what’s on our individual lists of music favorites. When it comes to the voices of our preferred musical acts, we know the type of singers who possess the power to send chills down our spines, and we know who doesn’t do it for us. But what role does gender have in all this? Many of us have already made a subconscious decision as to whether we prefer male or female voices, but how much weight does that hold?

Both women and men have the ability to produce incredible sound, and Mariah Carey, female powerhouse with a killer range, is a great example of all the great things the female voice is capable of. She is able to hit almost unimaginable high notes, but is also has a full, warm sounding lower-range. And while the female voice is sometimes disliked for its upper-range, Carey successfully proves that reaching incredible vocal heights does not have to sound shrill or painful. On the flip side, the male voice is typically lower and richer”many say it is easier to casually listen to the male voice. A great male singer is Josh Groban, whose vocal training has crafted him a powerful instrument with an incredible sound. His voice is so versatile and easy to listen to, and yet is capable of conveying so much emotion through his music.

And while Carey and Groban stand out among other singers within and even outside their genres, there are voices that stand out because they don’t fit in with gender’s norm. Male singers using the upper-range of their voice (and sometimes falsetto) and female singers using lower, richer tones to produce a  different quality sound are much less common. And yet, when done right, these voices are even more remarkable. A great example of a female who breaks the mold is Tracy Chapman. The timbre of Chapman’s voice is so unique and rare for a female, and her contralto voice (the lowest of the female voices) really shines. She posses a quality that very few female singers have.

As for outside the norm male singers, Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder immediately come to mind. The late king of pop had one of the most distinct voices in musical history, and what made it so exciting was how different it was from other male pop stars. Jackson’s career started early on, but even as he grew older, his vocal range remained incredible. He could produce very strong high notes without having to access his falsetto, and when he did transition into his falsetto, it was seamless. Stevie Wonder voice works in the same way. He is able to transition from his chest to head voice in an easy manner, making for a unique and wonderful vocal sound.

What’s your favorite voice”male or female; traditional or unconventional? Let us know in the comments.

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