Vocal Type: Spinto Soprano
Vocal Range: 3 Octaves and 2 notes (E3-G6)
Whistle Register: Yes
Vocal Pluses: Clarkson is known for her expansive vocal range, technical skills, emotive delivery as well as having a strong sense of musicality. Her extensive list of cover songs, on not only American Idol but as part of her Stronger tour, display this perfectly; with her being able to take a song and add a personal stamp to it via her vocal delivery. She is also able to sing complex melisma and hold notes without any issue.
Clarkson's lower range can be described as breathy and more difficult to control and deliver upon, being slightly less audible to that of the rest of the range. However, this part of the range tends to be well supported, displaying a raspy and husky texture.
The mid-range is delivered in an extremely confident and technically sound manner, with her technique, in this area of the range, being far superior to that of the lower range. Yet it still retains an earthy and grounded quality making her voice extremely identifiable. Due to this mirroring of characteristics in the lower and mid-range, it gives the two parts a fully connected sound.
Clarkson is known more for her superb belting range, for which she possesses a strong and expertly placed range between that of E5 and a soprano C6. This part of her voice contains a powerful slicing tone, which is not only able to easily cut through the heavy instrumentation of her backing band but also that of an orchestra [Hear:My Country, 'Tis of Thee/Ave Maria]. Clarkson's upper extremes of the range, as well as the head voice, contains the characteristics of a full lyric soprano. However, the entirety of the voice is of a grounded nature, containing a powerful and incisive upper register, which would place her voice in the spinto category, due to her lack of full dramatic power.
Whilst her head voice is slightly disconnected from that of the rest of the range, this is an area that Clarkson truly blossoms. Some have claimed her head voice and falsetto to be that of the most beautiful in contemporary music- with it being known to be clean and potent as well as fulsome. Whilst Clarkson can belt up to a C6 her head voice is known to commence around the A5 region. Again her technical virtuosity has displayed her vocally as both direct and solid but also gentle and breathy, depending on the artistic choices of the material she delivers.
The whistle register is known for having a full and piercing nature [Hear: Natural Woman] or soft and gentle (Honestly - Stronger), although this is an area of the voice known to be underutilized.
Vocal Negatives:Critique has been levelled at her voice sounding slightly hoarse at times- which is probably due to her extensive touring schedules creating vocal fatigue. At times her voice can sound pushed, particularly in the chest range. As previously noted her whistle register is underutilized, although this could possibly be more due to artistic choice than physical ability.
Thanks to Stuey for putting this updated profile together!!
Ah Kelly is without a doubt one of my favourite all time divas! Pure soul, sass, power and grace...cannot wait until her new album drops on 25th Oct! Get a feeling we will see some few vocal stylings too...thanks for having her on your list! Stuey
ReplyDeleteI was listening too a clip of kelly calrkson singe natural woman on http://whistleregister.blogspot.com/search/label/Shanice%20Wilson and she seems to possess a whitsle register impressive
ReplyDeleteA superb vocalist! Right up there with Adele as far as I am concerned. Honestly, check out her cover of Carrie Underwood's "I Know You Won't."
ReplyDeletei think shes better than adele because her voice allows her to be more versatile i mean i think KC has sung a song in at least every genre
ReplyDeleteI know I posted here way before her new album was released but I definately think she has one of the finest voices in our current generation.
ReplyDeleteThats due to her exceptional technical talent and knowledge of her own voice and what its capable of. I also agree with Lucia, her versatility is stunning....she could anything she wanted really....her rendition of Ave Maria for the pope showed me exactly how intelligent this woman is vocally....
Oh and DD what do you think about this supposed G6 Whistle note from 'Honestly' on 'Stronger'? It starts at exactly 13:00.
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/hrTFWH8RSCE
O: I never would have caught that! I thought she wasn't able to whistle anymore honestly since her american idol years.
ReplyDeleteGreat find stuey! Added to her range!
ReplyDeletethere's an Eb3 here
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fBow-kKmuw .
Awesome :)
ReplyDeleteI know, I have been listening to it for a while and started to get more and more giddy with excitment (sad I know lol) as knew it was higher than her last full on whistle, decided it was time to harvest some evidence.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if the fact she decides not to whistle often is down to artistic choice or physical reliability in achieving the notes but she can clearly execute the register with either force and power or soft and gentle as seen above. Either way she is one of my vocal heroines.
How long can Kelly hold a note, i thought she'd be able to hold a note longer then Madonna and Mariah
ReplyDeleteYou should become a member on ATRL. I think you'd like it there. :)
ReplyDelete......LOOOOOOOOOL......What makes you think Madonna can hold a note that long? LOL. Madonnas a performer, not so much a singer.
ReplyDeleteMadonna has proven herself quite a few times to be at least an above average singer. So im pretty sure she can hold a note for awhile.
ReplyDeleteehhh shes not above average - shes just average
ReplyDeleteher voice is somewhat weak and boring and shes not very versatile
Kellys octaves seem a little low. Compared to a few others on here. Shes hit a C6 before. Would that raise her octave number?
ReplyDeleteI was getting at, that she couldnt hold it longer then Kelly. ;)
ReplyDeleteIt would have to be connected and she would have to be able to sing every note before it for it to be considered and addition to her octave range. Otherwise its just a note.
ReplyDeleteIm not sure...Exactly what you mean. :/ But, heres the note.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHh3VVwsOgM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHh3VVwsOgM
ReplyDeleteThis is the same clip, I think the quality is better though, Im not sure.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oePDxDsUAKM
I don't know if that note was part of her range. It didn't seem well supported and was a bit screechy. Let me rephrase my earlier comment. For my octave range to be 3 octaves I would have to have the ability to properly sing every note in all three of the octaves my voice is capable of going into (for me its the second third and fourth). However I can scream into the fifth octave. But that's not part of my range because its just a screech and I can't truly sing it and know that I am capable of doing so when needed for a song. By singing with reverse Phonation (breathing in singing) I can hit a eb6 which is a whistle note. But I have no control over it so its not part of my range. So If My octave range is 3 octaves but I can sing a few notes in the fifth octave then my range is 3 octaves and a few notes. because I cannot sing every note in all four octaves my range is technically not four octaves but three and a few notes. It isn't connected.
ReplyDeleteI also take it back while listening to it a few more times. Its screechy but done on purpose and actually does sound well supported.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think, if you wanted to add it, Kellys longest note is 9-10 seconds. I think. Its on Before Your Love.
ReplyDeleteI think they only put it on if it's longer then 10 seconds, Katy Perry can hold a note for 10 seconds too and it was never shown, I'm dead sure she can hold it for at least 20 if she tried
ReplyDeleteHey guys, I only add the longest note if i remember one andUsually I only remember them if they are exceptionally long. But if you know of a singers longest note then let me know and I'll add it to the profile
ReplyDeleteHey robbie, no it wouldn't because a G6-which i've quoted in the range- is higher than a C6. Hope that helps :D
ReplyDeletestuey i think we will need to have a battle to see who loves KC more haha
ReplyDeleteive been a fan since the beginning
Hehe, I am not sure anyone could love her as much as I do! However if you claim to then I have no choice but to respect you on a massive level, maybe we should just team up and shove our love down everyones throat until they realise her greatness like we do? ;)
ReplyDeleteagreed haha - for me the greatest thing about kellys voice is her ability to adapt to any genre - i mean singers always crossover but none can do it as well as kelly i mean she has enough soul in her voice to sing R&B and bluesy type songs, she has the edge to sing rock, and heck shes even good at singing country (IMO her song cry proves she could absolutely do country). i feel like shes underrated as a vocalist though and people usually use people like beyonce as the standard for a good singer - i wish people realized just how awesome KC is
ReplyDeleteanyways i hope to see u around and whenever KC comes up ill be there to back u up haha
Totally, not only can she sing any genre she can connect with it and deliver it with a conviction that is not only credible but more than enjoyable to listen to (somethings a most singers could only dream of being able to do)
ReplyDeleteCry is by far one of my fav tracks from All I Ever Wanted, complete class in a song that is! I have to say there is not a single song, B-side or remix she has released that I would skip on my mp3 player, they are all fantastic for sure.
Beyonce is a brilliant singer but she does not have the natural raw talent that Kelly does, many will probably disagree with that but its just my personal opinion.
Hehe and likewise, we shall make everyone love her, thats our mission hehe
Kelly <3 my fave singer since I heard Because Of You. The real Diva with amazing voice.
ReplyDeleteHello, this is kelliclarksonismygd (also know as kellyclarksoismygod). You happen to have a couple of my video around your site and as for the discussion bellow, Kelly's longest studio note is a Eb5 in Before Your Love (the very last note) and live is a 11 second C5 in the Indyanapolis National Anthem in 2011.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to review Dark Side, argh (blames my hectic job)
ReplyDeleteooooh free download alert!!! Fair enough its a sporty themed song but that should not deter hardcore fans (such as myself) here is the link my lovelies!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a399958/kelly-clarkson-offers-new-track-get-up-as-free-download-listen.html
The only thing about Kelly that strikes me as odd is her rasp. It adds texture, yet makes the voice seem thin, however her vocals always sound pinpoint and healthy.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite singer and vocalist :)
ReplyDeleteIve heard millions of times that Kelly Clarkson is an alto or a control-alto?
ReplyDeleteShe is a soprano, blatant soprano.
ReplyDeleteIf Kelly is an alto then Annie Lennox is a Basso Profondo LOL. (I don't mean this in an insulting manner towards you or anything, I just find it funny because Kelly has a VERY high singing voice.)
For a soprano, she sure can hit the low notes quite well. Seriously. This woman is incredible.
ReplyDeleteNot really, Kelly's lower register is decent at best.
ReplyDeleteWhen i think of Sopranos with good lower registers I think Lisa Fischer, Mariah Carey, Alison Goldfrapp, and so forth.
Kelly has trouble below G#3, anything below that is inconsistent.
I agree with Serendipity. Many sopranos struggle with notes around their bottoms (Eb3, F3, etc.). Unless they are fuller sopranos or have been trained to access these notes like the women listed, it usually takes some time to master these low notes and get good resonance with them. I think Kelly's lower notes will continue to solidify as her career moves forward. It's decent now, but not as strong as the sopranos in Serendipity's examples.
ReplyDeleteBeing able to sing in the whistle register does not automatically make you a soprano, you can hit that register as a soprano or a contralto, even men have been known for the ability to hit it.
ReplyDeleteAs for her being a mezzo, I disagree as I find her voice far healthier sounding the more it ascends, in reality her lows don't sound anywhere near as comfortable for her to reach. Most of her belts are taken in mixed voice and are placed slightly higher than most singers giving her a very penetrating but full and crystal clear tone in comparison to her breathy and often gritty lows, no doubt in my mind, soprano all over the back.
I dont care if people say shes just a teeny bopper talantless whatever. Her singing aability is SO rare' i challenge you to find someone who can belt a high G. Her range is amazing and that is all.
ReplyDeleteI'd really love for you to update this page. Kelly is in her best vocal era by far and in my opinion is the best voice in pop music or at least the best when it comes to belting. Her technique has improved and generally her belts all sound healthy with a perfect volume to them. The upper belts have been consistently impressive throughout the era as well and the lower range has improved too. She covered many songs on her Stronger tour and with the exception of a view, surpassed the original on every occasion. Check out her grammy performance from last night!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgZLYnyj2Oo
(exception of a few**) lol
ReplyDeleteAdele clearly has the better music and perhaps tone, but vocally I find Adele to be very limited. Most of her songs are flat without range and belting. Kelly Clarkson is IMHO a much better vocalist than Adele.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone else second my thoughts of Kelly being (one of the very very few) spinto sopranos? I was having a chat with Sparkster about it...Here is a few reasons I think I am onto this one...
ReplyDelete1. The depth and earthy texture to the voice is unusual for that of a typical soprano, this transcends the entire range.
2. The incisive and slicing tone of her belts and head voice notes (although at times pushed) are extremely potent and indeed cutting in nature.
3. She has the lyric nature to her vocal delivery but not quite the sheer power to classify her as a dramatic, placing her as that of a baby dramatic (often known as spinto's)
4. Having heard her sing more traditional songs such as Ave Mariah for the pope her voice displayed all of these dynamics in a more classical styling....
Do you think we could be onto something here? Full input from the DD crew would also be muchos appreciated :)
I definitely think you might me on to something here. Her voice is earthy, grounded, and more powerful than typical lyric sopranos but not as heavy or penetrating as dramatic sopranos. It has the best of both worlds in a way.
ReplyDeleteyeah maybe she is but i kinda think she is a full lyric
ReplyDeleteShe's faaaaaaaaaaaaar better than Adele. Yes, Adele's great, but she's got an okay range, and as Andrew said, is very limited. Kelly belts, sings in falsetto, whispers and emotes so well. Plus her melismatic control is something I don't think Adele's got.
ReplyDeleteKelly has HONESTLY never uttered a single unpleasant note. Every single syllable she speaks hits the perfectly accurate pitch and she's got amazing breath control; she's never had a problem running out of breath. She's as good with her head voice too. She's got great melisma, and she uses it well. She never overdoes it! One of the best vocalists we've ever seen. Love her!
ReplyDeleteI think her profile could use some revamping.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGZicodLHxs
Her full range is now C3-G6
Positives:
A top echelon belter, with the ability to access any part of the belting range with ease (see her A5 in rehearsal on "Duets"). The belts are powerful, well supported, and capable of reaching Soprano C (C6), with very little to no mixing, though she mixes when appropriate. The belts are most resonant from Eb5-G5.
The head voice can sound light and airy, or rich and thick. Her low notes, though the weakest part of her range, can, like the head voice, be smokey or thick (See the verse of Behind These Hazel Eyes and Let Me Down). These notes have been getting thicker through the years, carrying the previously mentioned smokey tone down to Eb3. Her midrange is full and well supported.
A deep rasp can be executed on all parts of the range, and can be taken out when required (See Let Me Down and Honestly). Able to flip through all her registers without the use of melisma, though she is more than capable of using the technique (See Why Don't You Try). She can use a jaw vibrato when sick (See her performance of Celine Dion's "I Surrender"), and her natural vibrato that wavers pitch is very wide and stunning (See Honestly and Mr. Know it All country version). Her voice can also transcend through multiple genres, including Rock, Country, Pop, Jazz, R&B, Classical, Gospel, and Indie.
Negatives:
Chest notes can sound forced, and in earlier recordings, her upper belts are lodged deep in the throat, and sound very damaged. However a few years of experience, and better technique, have lessened this effect. The whistle register is also under utilized live, and in studio.
Loving this...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOm5h9DRBM0
Tbh Oasis are a bit of a bad habit of mine, I pick them up every now and again and drop them again, I only ever listen to the album that this song came from though, the rest are pretty guff lol
ReplyDeleteWell, to each his own. Seems Kelly likes them, or this song anyway, as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm just more entertained by other songs. And by her interviews. She could drop an album just chatting and I probably buy it lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66vBhqFfFmY&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Oh my, just saw this. I'll try working it into Stuey's updated profile! Thanks :D
ReplyDeleteOut of all of my DD contributions this is by far my proudest moment! I really cannot thank you enough DD for letting me do this profile! You are a true gent! :)
ReplyDeleteI am of course loving the update. But in spite of my agreeing with each and every word...I do suspect it's slightly less objective than some other profiles? ;-D
ReplyDeleteThen again...spent yesterday hours on , for the first time, viewing the first season AI appearance and ..Man, are most of those impressive!
Anyway...thoroughly enjoying and appreciating your job Stuey. Especially adressing such nonsense as her technique not being all that. :-)
Thanks Opie! Your opinion is about the most objective and realist on this site, that is why I appreciate our/your chat. I agree though, being an gigantic fan definitely made me analyse more than I did with the Melody Thornton and Delta Goodrem profiles ;)
ReplyDeleteWow thanks Stuey. Though I fear there are artist I love and some I really dislike about whom I'm not very objective at times. Hard as I try to be.
ReplyDeleteYes, Mariah I would say overuses it a bit. But on the other hand, her songs are probably written with use of the whistle register in mind.
Still, I feel it is, by any singer, 9 out of 10 times chosen not for artistry but to demonstrate the ability. And in Mariah's case I'm sure because her fans really expect and want that demonstration.
Totally agree, to be fair to her though she did develop the technique from an extremely early age and nurtured it, so personally for her it more than likely brings her great satisfaction. I love her capacity for it and some of her whistle tones when used appropriately in such songs as 'Lead the Way' and one of my favs 'Anytime you need a friend' do add a touch of excitement to the listening experience I also feel sometimes less is more.
ReplyDeleteLess,imo, is almost always more.
ReplyDeleteBut good point, it's probably fun to do it if you are able. :-)
Awesome! The more data the better! I have to say though this is one of the best profiles on the site, not bias at all there hehe
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely brilliant analysis! Awesome work dude! :)
ReplyDeleteDo you have any examples of Kelly's melisma? I always thought that wasn't her style?
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more, I only wish there were more of us willing to stand up for team KC. Although there is myself, yourself, Opie, DD and probably closet Kelly fans here who are doing some undercurrent rooting for us! Hopefully when DD gets the chance (I know this site poses endless work for him) he will add some of your pointers in regards to her voice and ability! :)
ReplyDelete