[Vocal Profile] Barbra Streisand

Barbra Streisand

Vocal Type: Mezzo soprano
Vocal Range: 3 octaves B2- D6 2 notes
Vocal Pluses: Meticulous control can be heard on every note, no matter how low or high, nor at what volume. Such control implies excellent support, breath control and understanding of her instrument- which may go some way to explain the longevity of her voice [2014 Medley].

Being an actress has given this Diva an emotiveness that is almost unparalleled amongst Divas. An example of this can be heard in the climax of Don't Rain On My Parade, where grunts, growls, swift changes in dynamics and tone are all employed to create a vocal that is as exhilarating as it is perfectly in sync with the narrative of the piece.

Sarah Brightman- Vocal Profile/ Range

Sarah Brightman

Vocal Type: Soprano
Vocal Range: 3 octaves and 1 semitone Eb3- E6
Vocal Pluses: Flexible voice that is suited to both pop/contemporary music and opera.
Vocal Negatives: There are arguments amongst opera fans as to whether she should truly be considered an opera singer due to the lightness of her voice and her technical abilities.

Fergie - Vocal Profile/ Range

Fergie

Vocal Type: Contralto
Vocal Range:2 octaves and 4 notes. C#3- G#5
Vocal Pluses: A distinctive character that is present throughout the registers. Her midrange can be punchy, and full of attitude or soft and breathy. Versatile chest voice that can have a heavier rocky rasp to it when sung through the throat or a thinner, lighter more elastic tone when mixed with the head voice.
Vocal Negatives:Voice becomes harder to control the higher she belts, and the tone can become unstable.
Longest note:19 Seconds

[Vocal Profile] Ke$ha

Ke$ha

Vocal Type: Mezzo Soprano
Vocal Range: 3 Octaves 1 note and a semitone (C#3-E6)
Whistle Register: No
Vocal Pluses: Ke$ha employs a talk/singing/rapping style for the most part of her music. The voice generally is used in its midrange and is characterful and able to effectively communicate the mood and tone of the lyrics. Her skill in manipulating her delivery allows for Ke$ha to project a variety of different emotions: from obnoxiously bratty [Hear:Blah Blah Blah]; to cool and relaxed [ Hear:VIP]; to soft and melancholy [Hear:Dancing With Tears In My Eyes]. However there is an identifiable marker of nasal placement that runs throughout the range, as well as a characteristic teenage petulance.It is possible for her to somewhat temper this, singing with a timbre that is contrastingly warmer, softer and airier [Hear:Blow (Deconstructed)], but it's not used often.

Ke$ha's belting range is surprisingly wide- starting at a B4 and extending up to an F#5, [Hear: Dirty Love]. The quality of the notes produced here are bright and piercing but thin and somewhat biting. The tone, timbre and texture of the notes is consistent right through from the lower belting range to the higher notes. An unusual feat when contrasted with most singers, who find their belted notes thinning and changing in quality the higher they sing. Still, Kesha doesn't sound to be carrying any tension in her voice, even up at the top, which suggests a good technique and the possibility that she can go above what has been shown. She is also able to sing for sustained periods in this part of her range without issue [Hear: Supernatural (Deconstructed) or the held F5 in Crazy Kids/ E5 in C'Mon ]

Vocal Negatives:Ke$ha's use of autotune has led many to question whether her ability to sing is pure fabrication, rather than due to a stylistic choice.

Cher- Vocal Profile/ Range [Contralto/ 3 Octaves]

Cher

Vocal Type: Contralto
Vocal Range: 3 octaves 2 notes and a semitone. C#3- F6
Vocal Pluses: Solid contralto voice,even in the higher octaves,with a dark,smoky tone,a soulful colouring and a range that is brilliantly connected.

Cher has the vocal stamina to hold notes for extended periods of time, with or without the use of her a natural and easy vibrato. A vibrato that is predominately quick, but capable of being modified to make wider if desired.

Cher's belting technique is great, being well supported and mixed effectively. This makes it not only easier for her to reach higher fifth octave notes but it helps retain the fullness that is present in her lower range.

For someone widely known for her low voice, Cher's head voice is surprisingly robust, being bright and clear, with a weight to it.

Vocal Negatives: The heaviness of the voice makes it difficult to be flexible in its ornamentation melodies.

Michelle Williams- Vocal Profile/ Range

Michelle Williams

Vocal Type: Mezzo-Soprano
Vocal Range:3 octaves 7 notes A2- G6
Vocal Pluses: Strong throughout all registers and a nice vibrato to the belted notes.
Vocal Negatives: Voice becomes thinned and nasal as she ascends her chest register.

Kelly rowland- Vocal Profile/ Range

Kelly Rowland

Vocal Type: Mezzo-Soprano
Vocal Range:3 octaves  C3- C6
Vocal Pluses: Her voice really shines in its strong, weighty midrange belt that can be made to sound even more impressive with the application of her vibrato. She is also able to execute complex vocal runs.
Vocal Negatives: Weaker low range that is reached via bad technique. The upper extremities of the chest register can sometimes sound harsh,  rough and unpolished.

[Vocal Profile] Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson

Vocal Type: Light-Lyric Soprano
Whistle Register:No
Vocal Range: C3-D6 (3 Octaves 1 Note )
Vocal Pluses: Janet Jackson is a Diva who knows her instrument, working its strengths and weaknesses to best effect. The voice has an overarching sweet and warm timbre that carries throughout the range, which works beautifully to create layered harmonies [Discipline/ What's It Gonna Be].

The lower-range isn't often used by Janet, being mostly weaved into harmonies[Take Care]. When she does showcase it, it sounds to be comfortable, dark and surprisingly solid [Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)].

The mid-range is where Janet's voice begins to shine, and is where she finds herself most comfortable. Here Janet shows her versatility, being able to play with texture and weight to create contrasting tones. Most often used is a soft, breathy and warm colouring [Rock With You], but she she can also solidify the sound, adding attitude and character to her delivery [Black Cat]. Both styles can be heard used brilliantly in tandem in domestic abuse song What About.

[Vocal Profile] Aaliyah

Aaliyah

Vocal Type: Light Lyric Soprano
Vocal Range:G2-E6 (3 Octaves 5 Note ) ( E3-G5)
Whistle Register: No
Vocal Pluses: This Diva possessed a remarkably smooth and seductive tone that carried through much of the range. Never considered a "powerhouse" vocalist, the strength in this voice lay in the texture, phrasing and canny use of the different registers to impress. [Listen as she creates drama in I Refuse without falling back on the cliches of power or increased dynamics to do so.]

Aaliyah possessed a solid lower range that was dark and warm. Slightly smokey, the voice was always well supported here, resulting in a sound that was clear, strong and free from the fogginess many Diva's suffer at the bottom of their voice [Death of A Playa].

[Vocal Profile] Nicole Scherzinger

Nicole Scherzinger

Vocal Type: Lyric Soprano
Whistle Register:Yes
Vocal Range: D3-G#6 (3 Octaves 2 Note and a semi tone)
Vocal Pluses: A trained singer, this Diva is comfortable singing in a variety of styles [Jazz: Feeling Good/ Theater: Phantom Of The Opera / Classical: Io Ti Penso Amore ] Along with control and power, Nicole is able to sing complex melisma throughout her range, expertly alter the dynamics of her voice mid-phrase and, thanks to excellent breath control, hold notes effortlessly [all demoed  here].

This Diva's mid-range is versatile and can be manipulated to add character and emotional colouring to a vocal. For instance: Nicole gives her delivery attitude and aggression and an icy, slightly gritty tone in Poison; while softening, aerating and warming her tone in Happily Never After. Whatever choices she takes with her mid-range, the character of Nicole's voice is retained making a song easily attributable.

Present is a flexible and elastic belt that is expertly controlled. The lower half is dark and rich [Right Now] with a suitable volume to it. As it climbs the fifth octave the voice takes on a nasal placement causing it to thin and and take on a metallic timbre. It's due to this shift that Nicole is able to impressively hit, and hold, upper fifth octave notes (even with with a measured vibrato) [Club Banger Nation]. It should be noted that Nicole can add a rock edge to her belts by "pulling up" her chest voice [Run Live].

Nicole's head voice has a dual aspect to it. In a contemporary setting the Diva is able to produce a soft and sweet head-voice that can be harmonized and remains unobtrusive to a song's backing [Heartbeat]. However, it can be made to sound impressively resonant with a theatrical quality to it. In this styling her tone is full, warm and measured, and the Diva is able to add a controlled vibrato, play with volume and crescendo beautifully [Io Ti Penso Amore ].

Vocal Negatives: Belted notes can sometimes sound harsh and more akin to shouting due to improper placement of the voice, especially when it forgoes vibrato.

Amy Winehouse- Vocal Profile/ Range

Amy Winehouse 

Vocal Type:  Contralto

Vocal Range: 3 Octaves and 1 semi tone D3-Eb6

Vocal Pluses:  Unique and thus instantly recognisable voice. Naturally adept singer with a great technique and brilliantly individual phrasing. Her voice is connected well through the registers and maintains its character throughout. Also has an emotive voice that communicates the songs subject exceptionally.

Vocal Negatives: Unique style may make it harder to adapt to different genres of music.

Miley Cyrus - Vocal Profile/ Range

Miley Cyrus

Vocal Type: Contralto
Vocal Range: 3 Octaves one semitone C#3- E6
Vocal Pluses: Unique voice, that is instantly recognisable. Surprisingly wide range.
Vocal Negatives:  Nasal tone, and a chest voice that is shrill and piercing.

This Video is by guisousacunha1 and lets you listen to her range

Jennifer Hudson - Vocal Profile/ Range

Jennifer Hudson

Vocal Type: Mezzo Soprano
Whistle Register: No
Vocal Range: C3-C#6 (3 octaves and a semitone)
Vocal Pluses: An impressive voice that is grounded in the gospel style. Hudson has the ability to hold notes for extended periods of time, without issue or strain, and is even able to do so in the upper extremes of her belting range (Hear: Everybody Needs Love (2.46).

Dark and rich in timbre and tone, the voice has an impressive weight to it (Hear: Where You At). Her midrange is rounded, solid and well connected to the the lower and upper range.

Hudsons' belting range is the strongest part of her voice, in large part due to her excellent mix. Elastic, powerful and with a good dynamic, it remains impressively resonant at higher frequencies( E5-B5).

Vocal Negatives: Under utilised head voice.

Aretha Franklin - Vocal Profile/ Range

Aretha Franklin

Vocal Type: Mezzo-soprano
Whistle Register: No
Vocal Range: 3.5 G2- E6 (approx)
Longest Note: 5 seconds ("old landmark")
Vocal Pluses: Powerful, passionate voice, which is grounded in the Gospel tradition. Both a technical and an emotive singer, Aretha Franklin is able to sing complex vocal runs, that can span the top of her range right down to the bottom, as well as hold notes for lengths of time with ease.

Aretha Franklin has a well connected range, that appears to sound easily accessible both at the top and the bottom. The lower range is thick and weighty with a dark colouring and a slightly smoky timbre. The midrange begins to become more nasal, and lighter as it ascends into the belting range.

The belting range is incredibly elastic and powerful, having been known to hit a D6 when mixed with its head voice [listen here]. This part of the range is characterful and easily attributable to Aretha Franklin, due in part to its quick vibrato and nasal tone. Though her voice becomes lighter as its frequency increases, it still retains its resonance and power up into its top reaches. Her flexibility and ease in this part of the range is almost unparalleled.

Vocal Negatives: The voice has become more nasal as she has aged which has lessened the power, and quality of the higher notes.

Toni Braxton - Vocal Profile/ Range

Toni Braxton

Vocal Type: contralto
Whistle Register: No
Vocal Range:3 Octaves. Bb2- Bb5 (approx)
Longest Note: 7 seconds - "Maybe"
Vocal Pluses: Dark and heavy voice throughout the low and belted notes. Is capable of lifting the weight and colour of her voice with her middle range which the has an airier quality. Her head voice is nice with a smooth, rich sound that retains a weight to it.
Vocal Negatives: Heavy weight of the voice doesn't allow or suit vocal runs. Belted notes sound less impressive than that of her contemporaries and tends to sound at unease with her voice the higher she sings.

Nina Hagen- Vocal Profile/ Range

Nina Hagen

Vocal Type: Soprano
Whistle Register: Yes
Vocal Range:3.1 Octaves. D3- F6 (approx)
Longest Note: 11 seconds
Vocal Pluses: Glorious soprano highs and amazing tenor like lows and a voice that is able to scream in a rock wail or be soft as any balladeer. Versatility is key to defining the voice of this lady. I would be very surprised if she is not classically trained.
Vocal Negatives: Nina's flexibility may not be to everyone's taste and it's likely the extreme way she uses her voice will turn many listeners off.

Whitney Houston - Vocal Profile/ Range

Whitney Houston

Vocal Type Mezzo Soprano
Vocal Range: 3.2 Octaves. A2- C6 (approx)
Whistle Register: No
Longest Note: 16 seconds - Greatest Love Of All (Live)
Vocal Pluses: The timbre of Whitney Houston's voice is her crowning glory: thick, luscious and velvety. Her midrange is where the voice finds its strength, and she is famed for her powerful, dark and emotive belting at the top part of this range. The higher chest notes, past a C5, lose power and weight as they ascend higher and are mixed with the head voice, but they still retain a notable, and identifiable, character. The head voice, on its own, is thick, warm, and slightly smoky with a resonance that mirrors that of her midrange belting voice. Whitney is able to switch to this part of her voice with apparent ease.

Whitney Houston is famed for having brought melisma/vocal runs to the masses, and as such, it is no surprise that her voice is able to execute incredibly fast, and complex runs with pinpoint accuracy. She also has the stamina to hold notes- see I Will always love you- for lengths of time without wavering in pitch. Notes can also be coloured with the use of her impressive vibrato, which she can modify the speed of to dramatic effect by quivering her lip. Her trademark vibrato, along with the midrange belt and thick head voice, is one of the iconic aspects of her remarkable voice.

Vocal Negatives: Whitney Houston's voice can become shrill in the upper range, especially when attempting to belt the higher fifth octave notes.

Madonna - Vocal Profile/ Range

Madonna

Vocal Type: Mezzo- Soprano
Vocal Range: 3 octaves 2 notes G2- B5 (approx)
Longest Note: 17 seconds (Ray of Light at Live Earth)
Vocal Pluses: Adapts her vocal style to the music she's singing well. The middle of her range is her strongest suit: it's solid, with a warm colouring and a clear timbre. Her chest voice is bright and sharp. While her head voice can be either soft and delicate, or direct and solid.
Vocal Negatives: Voice becomes thin and nasal, very quickly, as it gets higher up and into the chest range.

[Vocal Range] Celine Dion

Celine Dion

Vocal Type: Lyric Soprano
Vocal Range: 3 Octaves 1 note and a semitone B2- C#6 (approx)
Longest Note: 13 seconds - 'The Reason'
Vocal Pluses: Celine Dion is a technical singer who has great understanding of vocal placement, support, and projection. With this knowledge comes the ability to sing complex vocal runs with speed and accuracy. It is also responsible for her ability to hold a note, perfectly on pitch, without any wavering, better than most- see All by Myself .

Celine Dion's lower range is dark and slightly raspy but, for the most part, well supported and accessed via healthy technique. Her midrange can be warm, and slightly airy with an easy, lyrical quality- see Falling into You- or can be soft and sweet, though more substantial in its weight- Because You Loved Me. It leads effortlessly into her strong, clear belting range. This part of the range is noticeably contrasting to the lower half, being cooler in colour, thinner in texture and sharper in timbre. Celine Dion is astonishingly able to reach up into the sixth octave in this part of her range, so brilliant is her ability in mixing her belting voice with her head voice.

Celine Dion's head voice alone, is full and weighty, with an operatic tinge and control-see video below- though it is not often used by the singer.

Vocal Negatives: The nasal quality of Celine Dion's belting voice, as well as it's piercing quality can become overwhelming at higher frequencies. Also her lower range is weak and breathy.

Rihanna - Vocal Profile/ Range [Lyric-Contralto 3 octaves]

Rihanna

Vocal type: Lyric-Contralto
Vocal Range: 3 octaves 2 notes(B2- D6)
Whistle Register: No
Longest note: 8 seconds - 'Hate That I Love You'
Vocal Pluses:Distinct tone that makes Rihanna's voice easily identifiable. Voice sounds best in it's low to mid range- as heard in the verses of Russian Roulette- where it finds a solid tone that has a slightly smoky quality to it.

Rihanna's belting range has improved in recent years; where previously her voice was nasal and thin, it now has a degree of strength and weight to it, sounding correctly placed- Listen to Only girl (in the world).

Rhianna's head voice is soft and airy with a sweet and warm tone and is capable of switching quickly and effortlessly into that part of her range. She has the ability to hold notes for lengths of time, while maintaining its dynamics and tone, as well being capable of singing vocal runs with apparent ease.

Vocal Negatives: Rihanna's voice can still sound nasal at times, particularly in live performances.