You’re listening to a song and someone is singing. You’re impressed by their capabilities and sometimes wonder how in the world they managed to make it fit. Over the past few centuries, people have developed many singing styles that fit the music they try to create.

When you think of old-fashioned singing, you’re probably thinking of classical singing such as the type you hear at operas or symphonies. While you might’ve been turned off as a little kid because of how ridiculous it sounds, you end up growing to like it. The amount of talent this take is unmatched by other vocal styles (except for maybe harsh vocals). The ability to project your voice without a microphone is what makes or breaks a singer for classical enthusiasts. For centuries, classical singers have been singing without the ability to use some kind of amplification. Whenever people see a pop singer sing operatically using a mic, they say they’re not being authentic when it comes to singing classical. However, this is just them gatekeeping classical music from people who aren’t classically trained. When people think of being classically trained, they see it as the only way to develop your voice. While true to some extent, you’ll find yourself limited when it comes to other styles such as rock. 

(Ion Chibzii / Flickr)

Pop (along with other styles such as folk and R&B) singing can be achieved by pretty much anyone. However, good pop singing can only be done by a few. While people see pop as being easy, if they’re not disciplined enough to go that route, it will end up sounding wrong. One of the few reasons why people didn’t like Nickelback at the peak of their hatred is how much Chad Kroegers’s voice doesn’t fit the popish nature of their music. When it comes to pop singing, there is an abundance of music snobs that are turned off by it. They have to always point out the fact that there’s autotune involved. In this day of modern music production, autotune will always find its way into every pop production. Because of the lack of time a lot of mainstream pop singers take to train their voices, they often can’t know if what they’re singing sounds good. Live shows show if the artist is more of a singer or a performer. If they live a party lifestyle, the amount of damage done to their vocal folds is a lot more prominent because pop doesn’t call for rough-sounding vocals. 

(Michael Gethen / Flickr)

Rock and metal singing is seen as a lot rougher and “authentic” compared to pop singing. There’s no definitive rock sound, but when you think of rock and metal singers, you think of people like Robert Plant, Bruce Dickinson, and Ozzy Osbourne. Sure, on a technical level, they’re not that great. But when you break down what they’re doing, you understand why they’re some of the greatest. It’s not all rough, however. Some genres such as pop punk and power metal require a much more polished sound compared to rougher styles of rock and metal.

When it comes to metal, people often point towards harsh vocals. Harsh vocals, however, gets often seen as screaming with no need for talent. Some people think humans can’t even make those sounds and use distortion from their microphones. However, using distortion on a microphone doesn’t work that way. It can add saturation, but it won’t make you sound like Jeff Walker or Angela Gossow in seconds. The only way to make those sounds is through proper techniques. If it’s wrecking your throat, you’re doing it incorrectly. You generally want to use your stomach to produce those sounds. Harsh vocals types include gutturals, screeches, screams, and much more. A lot of people get turned off by harsh vocals because they think it’s not music and they can’t be understood. Saying that harsh vocals aren’t musical is an insult. For millenniums, cultures used “screaming” (for lack of a better) word as part of their music, whether that would be in rituals or other ceremonies. The part where they can’t understand it is also a dumb argument. You can’t say you understand every singer even if they’re singing “normally.” You don’t even need to understand the lyrics for a song to be good. Gangnam Style was one of (if not) the most popular songs in 2012 and most people around the world don’t understand Korean.

(Felipe Tofani / Flickr)

Your vocal range is also a deciding factor when it comes to singing.

Soprano is generally the highest of the voices. While it is generally done by female singers, some male vocalists are capable of reaching high notes. In a choir setting, they usually carry the main melody. One of the main stereotypes about being soprano is that they have massive egos and they show off. Altos are somewhat lower voices. If they’re not solo, they will usually carry some of the harmonies. A stereotype when it comes to Altos is that they get the most boring parts out there. There is an arrangement of Mariah Carrie’s “All I Want For Christmas” where the Altos are just sustaining notes throughout the song. Tenor is typically the high voice for male singers, however, some female vocalists that have a range that can go low enough will sometimes sing those parts. They will usually do counter melodies in choir situations, but this is also the range solo male artists possess. I’ve always wanted to sing those parts but they are completely out of my reach, no matter how hard I try. I may have come close to it for one piece but since then, I haven’t been able to hit those notes. I guess that at some point, I may have strained my vocal folds to the point where high notes are either unattainable or sound completely strained. There is no way I can sing above middle C these days. Bass voices carry the foundation in a choir, but can sometimes be a solo voice. The most popular piece of music that has a solo bass singer is “Your Man” by Josh Turner. I can’t reach super low but can at least sing those parts comfortably.

Singing will always be part of music. Everyone has a voice, so find what you can do with it.