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.

Keri Hilson - Vocal Profile/ Range

Keri Hilson

Vocal Type: Soprano
Vocal Range: 3 octaves. C3- C6
Vocal Pluses: Sweet, soft agile voice.
Vocal Negatives:Lacks power and weight.

This Video is by Angelfully

[Vocal Profile] Patti LaBelle

Patti LaBelle

Vocal Type: Dramatic Soprano
Vocal Range: 3 Octaves 3 notes and a semitone (Bb2-E6)
Whistle Register: No
Vocal Pluses: LaBelle is distinctly known for her explosive, powerful and incredibly emotive voice. Having started her long-standing career in vocal groups such as ‘Patti LaBelle and the Bluebells’ and ‘LaBelle’, this singer has built an excellent level of musicality in regards to harmonizing. A skill which has served her well, even once a solo star, thanks to her fondness for duetting and collaborating with others. A notable pairings was that which occurred with Cyndi Lauper when they sang Time after Time. Here, LaBelle showcased her skill to fuse her own vocals with another's in a way that was both complimentary and sympathetic to her duetting partner's own voice. Considering the natural power that lies behind LaBelle's instrument it shows the great skill, control and restraint she has as a singer.

The lower extremities (Bb2 – E3) can sound somewhat less projected in comparison to the upper range, with this area tending to sound dry and distended. However due to her impeccable technique the notes sound healthy and well placed, if not entirely full. As the voice ascends towards the mid-range it quickly thickens connecting the voice to the mid-range.

In the mid-range LaBelle’s voice becomes somewhat fuller, more dynamic and takes on a notable and distinctive sound. This part of the voice is entirely unique to LaBelle in that not only is the voice full and powerful enough to cut through an orchestra, but it is typically deeper and more fulsome when compared to other sopranos. However due to LaBelle's excellent artistry she can alter the sound to best fit the material she is singing, for example on Oh People LaBelle displays a softer more nuanced edge to her voice in comparison to her Two Steps Away tribute where this section is more full, pronounced and direct.

The head voice and upper range is where LaBelle displays her skills as a vocal behemoth. This area, including the belting range, is incredibly powerful , full and elastic. Again displayed in her ‘Two Steps Away’ tribute, LaBelle shows an uncanny ability to flip straight up into high octave belts, all the whilst adopting an impressive technique that allows her to hold high notes with great ease.

The rare ability to project a full-sounding belt, right up to the soprano C6 is an incredibly impressive feat, and LaBelle has consistently shown able to do so with apparent ease. This upper-register extends right up to E6, which is marked with a dramatic, rounded and potent sound.

Overall, LaBelle is an exceptionally adept technician who has honed her skills via decades of experience in the industry. With exceptional control over every aspect of her voice- including its dynamics, tone, timbre and phrasing- she wields it with freedom and an instinctive edge. Able to hold notes, jump threw registers, use interesting and complex melisma, and perform vocal tricks (like octave-spanning glissando), it is little wonder that Patti is revered amongst singers and non-singers alike. It's also due to her technique that she has maintained much of her voice as she has aged, including her ability to heavily load belts in the upper regions. Though there has been a slight deterioration in power, she still remains a vocal force to be reckoned with.

Vocal Negatives:The nature of LaBelle’s powerful upper octave belts can be somewhat off putting to some, for example her performance of the Star-Spangled Banner displays her attacking style that can be a tad overbearing. Also the characteristics of the voice as a whole can be an acquired taste, particularly in the mid-range.

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.

Nicki Minaj - Vocal Profile/ Range

Nicki Minaj

Vocal Type: Soubrette
Whistle Register: No
Vocal Range: 2 octaves, 4 notes  D3- Bb5
Vocal Strengths: Although classed as a rapper, has demonstrated the ability to carry a melody aptly. Her voice is full of character and energy: able to switch between a thick and heavy timbre to a light and bright one quickly providing brilliant contrast. Her midrange is solid and her chest is capable of hitting the fifth octave.
Vocal Weaknesses: Her chest voice is thin and becomes weaker very quickly as it gets higher.
Recommended Listen: Super Bass, Fly

[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] 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.

Yma Sumac-Vocal Profile/ Range

Yma Sumac 

Vocal Type:  Soprano

Vocal Range: Bb2-c#7 (4 Octaves 1 Note and a semi tone)

Vocal Pluses: Strong  soprano voice, with a wide range. Unique technique.

Vocal Negatives:   Unusual vocal style may not be to everyone's taste.

Fiona Apple- Vocal Profile/ Range

Fiona Apple  

Vocal Type:  Contralto

Vocal Range: 2 Octaves 5 notes C3-A5

Vocal Pluses: Gorgeous low tessitura and a brilliantly expressive voice.

  

Regine Velasquez- Vocal Profile/ Range

Regine Velasquez

Vocal Type: Lyric Soprano
Vocal Range: 4 Octaves 1 semiton B2-B6
Vocal Pluses: Regine Velasquez is able to reach low notes with relative ease, due in part to her good technique and understanding of her voice. The bottom notes are dark and heavy, and are connected nicely to the range meaning she can utilise them in vocal runs that start higher in the range. Regine Velasquez' midrange is noticeably lighter than the lower half of the range, but is solid and stoic, with a characterful quality that makes it identifiable as belonging to her. The Belting range is bright, pure and elastic, being able to reach an impressive B5 with the aid of mixing with the head voice.The sound can be made fuller and more resonant, without mixing, but the voice becomes less palatable as it travels up the fifth octave. The head voice is sharp, bright and punchy with a weight to it.


Regine Velasquez' low, mid and head voice can all have their timbre and tone manipulated to produce a sweeter and softer sound that has a lyrical, expressive and slightly breathy quality to it- see Fallin'.

The voice is dexterous and athletic, able to sing complex vocal runs, throughout the range, as well as to hold a note, on pitch, for impressive periods of time without problem-see Regine's cover of All By Myself.



Vocal Negatives: Notes after a E5 tend to sound like shouting, especially when not mixed or placed correctly or having vibrato applied to them . Also, Regine Velasquez' vocal styling seems to be influenced too much by western Diva's meaning she has not defined a sound of her own.

A2-I can't make it out so haven't included it- Bb2, B2, C3, C#3, D3, Eb3, E3, F3:

A selection of F5s:

C6, C#6, D6, Eb6, E6, F6, G6, G#6, B6:

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.

[Vocal Profile] Katy Perry

Katy Perry

Vocal Type: Light-Lyric Soprano
Vocal Range: 3 Octave ( D3-D6)
Whistle Register: No
Vocal Pluses: As a whole, the voice is characterful and youthful with a soft and sweet upper-range and a punchy, attitude infused chest voice. Katy Perry has the ability to hold notes [The One That Got Away (live)] and sing melisma [Whip My Hair (Live)], but her material doesn't often call for such vocal skills to be employed. As such, she is moat likely to attempt these feats in a live setting.

The Diva's lower range is cloudy and of mid-weight, but solidifies, brightens and lightens significantly as she ascends the third octave. Recent years have seen gains in the confidence exhibited in these lower notes, with them becoming fuller in sound.

The Diva shows the most resonance when belting in the fourth octave, loosing weight, colour and taking on an incisive quality as she moves towards and up the fifth octave. Occasionally she employs a slight rasp to these top notes- particularly when singing live- but its not usually heard in her recorded work, where the notes remain clean, clear and bright. Perry is also able to sing melisma in this part of her range [Walking on Air] but it's not something she demonstrates often.

Vocal Negatives: Criticisms have been leveled at her vocal ability when live and recorded vocals are contrasted.

[Vocal Profile] Sade

Sade

Vocal Type: Contralto
Vocal Range: 2 Octaves 3 notes D3-G#5
Vocal Pluses: A voice that is texturally united throughout the range. Warm and smooth, Sade’s strength comes from her tone and timbre [Lovers Rock]; skill emoting [Smooth Operator]; her musicality (e.g.building harmonies) [Slave Song]; and ability to alter dynamics [King of Sorrow]. This puts her in contrast to other “powerhouse” Divas who use more obvious skills- such as melisma and high octave belting- to impress, but it makes her no less a vocalist. Her voice has a “quiet storm” beauty.

As mentioned above, the Diva has excellent volume control and breath support, which she uses to create the requisite mood and ambience to compliment the production. Though often found to be singing with a low/medium volume- something which is often (wrongly) credited as the reason for the soothing quality of the voice- she can shift dynamics without any negative effect on the timbre of the voice [Pearls].

Collection of male Vocal Ranges

Just because we are a site about the female voice, it doesn't mean we don't appreciate male singers too! Below is a list of male singers and their vocal range.

Just to help you compare Mariah Carey has a 5 octave range stretching from a G2-G7 which means she can hit 35 notes on the piano. (1 octave is 7 notes)

Adam Lambert Vocal Range: Bb2 Bb5 (3 octaves)
Chris Brown Vocal Range: G2-G5 (3 octaves)
Jamie Foxx Vocal Range: B2-G5 (2 octaves 5 notes)
Justin Bieber vocal Range: C#3-E5 (2 octaves 1 note and a semi tone)
Freddie Mercury Vocal Range: F2-E6 (3 octaves 6 notes)
Luther Vandross Vocal Range: B1-F#5 (3 octaves 4 notes 1 semitone)

Marvin Gaye Vocal Range: D2-Eb6 ( 4octaves 1 semitone)
Michael Jackson Vocal Range: A2-C6 (3 octaves 2 notes)
Omarion Vocal Range: F2-C#6 (3 octaves 4 notes and a semi tone)
Prince Vocal Range: G2-C#7 (4 octaves 3 notes and one semi tone)
The Dream Vocal Range: C3-C6 (3 octaves)
Usher vocal Range: A2-Bb5 (3 octaves 1 notes)

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

[Vocal Profile] Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift

Vocal Type:Light Lyric Soprano
Vocal Range: 2 octaves and 3 note  [D3- G5]
Vocal Pluses: A clear and simple voice that favors a strong melody over vocal bells and whistles. Whether an artistic choice, or due to vocal limitations, it's a style that successfully lends itself to the narratives the Diva injects into her art, allowing for her lyrics to be understand and appreciated. Though not often heard, Taylor can hold notes throughout her range [Red 1, 2], and has demonstrated some dexterity, being able to switch to her head-voice quickly [I Knew You Were Trouble] .

Taylor's mid-range, at its bottom, has a slight huskiness to it [Innocent]. However that quickly lifts, as the voice takes a nasal placement, revealing a bright and definite tone that is without any real texture. The Diva can create more texture, but in doing so the voice becomes less dynamic, becoming airier and thinner. Taylor often utilises this timbre for layering and creating harmonies [The Last Time]. Her easiness in the mid-range means she is free to play with her delivery- for instance adding a playful scorn to her tone in We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together to accentuate the lyrical content. The intrinsic character of Taylor's own speaking voice is most prevalent here, but it can be found throughout the range, meaning her vocals remain identifiable and attributable.

Her chest/belting range is cool and almost metallic in tone. Due to the lightness of the voice, Taylor doesn't appear to have any issues in this part of the range, being able to hit mid-fifth octave notes with little change in tone, timbre [State Of Grace]. Though there is shedding of weight as she ascends the fifth octave, it isn't enough to strip the voice of its character. The unwavering nature of her belts also suggests the Diva has great breath control and support when executing them [Collection of Taylor's belts].

The top of her range is soft, sweet and akin to a breathy falsetto [Forever and Always (Piano Version)]. The Diva sounds comfortable here, showing no issues singing here for lengthy periods of time.
Vocal Negatives: Overall the voice has a anemic tone, and lacks volume and power.

Cheryl Cole - Vocal Profile/Range

Cheryl Cole

Vocal Type: Mezzo- Soprano
Vocal Range: 1.7 octaves (Approx). F3- Eb5

Vocal Pluses:Voice has a pleasant soft quality in the head and mid range.

Vocal Negatives: weak voice that lacks strength or dexterity with a tendency to become thin and whiny as it progresses up the chest voice.