Vocal Type: Leggiero Tenor
Vocal Range: 3 octaves 2 notes and a semitone (D#2-G#5)
Tessitura: 2 octave 1 note(D3-E5)
Whistle Register: No
Technique rating: B-
Vocal Pluses:One of few who can actually qualify as being a Leggiero Tenor in pop, Brian McKnight is a powerful male vocalist with one of the best developed mixes in the industry. He has phenomenal control and is able to execute precise vocal runs in all registers of the voice. The ability to sing rapid-scale melismas, as well as the elasticity of his belting range, are both signature characteristics of the singer's vocal style.
Brian McKnight's lower register is dark and velvety, extending down to D#2, with the tone retaining it's colouring even up to an octave above at E3. The voice harmonizes well with itself, retaining its warm tone. His vocal weight is rather light (though for a tenor, surprisingly heavy) which gives him the agility to sing rapid descending scales to impressive depths. His placement is healthy and neutral, with plenty of resonance down in even his lowest note of D#2. This lower register is characteristic of the Leggiero Tenor by being baritonal in color and in the weight of its extremes (below A2). His technique in this register is great.
His mid voice, which extends up to D4 from F3, places him in the realm of most tenors, despite his ability to belt lower fifth octave notes. This area is warm and dark in color, with a thick velvety texture. Even when it looses an extensive amount of weight, it still retains its texture and colour. With the lack of weight, his dexterity becomes significantly freer, capable of executing some extremely swift vocal runs. His technique in this portion of the modal register is also great.
His belting register, is quite impressive. The tone remains dark as he comes close to A4. Above A4 (like most tenors), his tone significantly brightens becoming slightly heady, extending upwards to F5. His dexterity doesn't suffer, despite this impressive feet. Even at the height of F5, he can execute some pinpoint accurate vocal runs. He places his voice nasally though, but it does little to take away from his vocal freedom. He still has resonance and is capable of reaching mezzo-forte. He most likely employs that to get longevity on those extensive fifth octave belts. His technique for his belts, is second to none.
His head tone, relies heavily on chest, extending upwards to G#5. He has sang an F5 in falsettone as well, however he relies mostly on deft mixes of chest and falsetto in this register. The tone is thick and labored, though this may be an artistic decision since fallsettone lacks the ressonance of headvoice. Overall his technique for this area is questionable.
Vocal Negatives: Questionable technique used in his falsetto, and some may find his style relies too heavily on vocal runs.
