Vocal Type: Mezzo-Soprano
Vocal Range:2 Octaves E3-E5
Whistle Register:No
Vocal Pluses: Faith Hill is a technical singer and as such sounds to have excellent control both at the bottom of her range and at the top. Her skill over her instrument allows her to hold notes for notable periods of time effortlessly, with or without her controlled and measured vibrato. Though able to utilise her voice with a country twang-Piece Of My Heart- she can also forgo it for a contemporary styling, thus increasing her versatility and the genre of music she sing.
Faith Hill's lower range is weighty, dark and with a slight breathy quality. However, it is clear from the quality of the notes produced that they are well supported and within her comfortable range- "days" in I Got My Baby. The lower range is connected well with the midrange and her voice sounds comfortable and easy in this part. Here the voice is rounded, of medium weight, and can sound either clear- The Way You Love Me- breathy - Let's Make Love-or with a slight edge- Bringing Out The Elvis- depending on what is required.
The belting range can be separated into two distinct parts: the lower and the upper part. The lower part, up to a C5, is fuller, and more characterful. Here the voice sounds as if it is being produced by a manipulation of the larynx, giving the timbre a slightly nasal, flattened tone. Into the fifth octave the larynx takes a neautral position, and as such the belted notes become clearer and lighter in weight, and lose resonance. However, she has been heard to give notes in the upper range a coarser texture if required- see range videos below.
Though not used often, Faith Hill does have a soft, breath heady falsetto which she can switch to easily.
Vocal Negatives: Faith Hill's head voice appears to be non existent. In addition, probably due to the genre she sings, she has demonstrated little vocal dexterity (melisma/runs).
Live Performances:
There You'll Be
Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI love Faith very much)
You sure she's a mezzo? She goes really low in some songs.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you posted this! Love Faith! You should checkout/upload one of the videos of her performing "A Baby Changes Everything" live. Her voice during this period was super healthy and clear. I don't know what it is, but many artists (including Mariah Carey) sound their best when they're singing traditional/holiday fare. On the musicnotes.com website, it says the vocals on "A Baby Changes Everything" goes up the a G5, so she may have a couple more notes in the fifth octave than previously reported. I think this is when she goes into her head voice at the end, when she's singing the top of "hallejuhah", she definitely uses a different mechanism to get to those notes than her useful belting technique. Thanks for this! Love the vocal profile posts!
ReplyDeleteI did think that, but listening to her album "Breath" yesterday, and the way she belts pretty effortlessly in the fifth octave, i felt like she was more a low mezzo.
ReplyDelete:D
ReplyDeleteCan someone give me an example not having control over the voice?
ReplyDeleteBeing honest DD, this profile surprised me, only because it has been a while since I have heard her stuff. I totally loved the remix of 'The Way You Love Me' and obviously 'There You'll Be' is a classic too.
ReplyDeleteI feel her voice is smoky, smooth and very warming to listen to! Thanks for bringing her back into my attentions :)
She's a contralto.
ReplyDeleteUhm Lana Del Rey. She seems live to go for something she lacks the control for.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I love her though.
ReplyDeleteI agree, her live performances are extremely inconsistent and erratic in her control, however when she nails it she sounds pretty magnificent, maybe once she becomes more seasoned she will not let the nerves get to her quite so much (probably easier said than done)
ReplyDeleteyes i think lana's problems are more due to nerves more than anything because like u said she sounds great when she does it correctly
ReplyDeleteLove "there you'll be", Apparently she sang a Christmas song penned by Mariah!
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome! And I'm sure she has more notes in her. I'll check it out
ReplyDeleteNerves. Technique. Whatever you think it is, it translates I feel into not having control.
ReplyDeletePersonally I don't think it's nerves. If it was just that she should be over them by now enough not to lack as much control as she does. Or rethink being a performing artist.
But I agree, Lana is a pretty good songwriter and has a very nice voice.I really like what she wants/tries to do and I do hope she will get it together.
Wow! You learn something new everyday! I must hunt for this song! ;)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFl9nmUNGDo here you go...its not great imo...lol
ReplyDeleteAhem....yeh! lol I agree, bless her for the effort though... :z
ReplyDeleteWhat is not great, 1. the singing, 2. the song or 3. this particular video and its sound quality ? Please be specific otherwise some of us might think you are blaspheming.
ReplyDelete"Where are you Christmas" has been a wonderful favorite of mine.
ReplyDelete