The more I do this, the less I care about voice typing. Jessye Norman said it best..."pigeon holes are only comfortable for pigeons". It took me years to sing a good high G and A and when I do ...non singers want to call me a tenor. I ignore them....one knows where one's own voice is the most comfortable.
Thank you so much for that! I do my best to do exercises and practices that I use in my private teaching (and have seen them work). Glad that they're working for you as well! Enjoy! Jeff
The information in this video is invaluable to my regular practice. My range sits right between baritone and tenor, and I can directly apply what I've learned here. This is spot on. A pleasure as always, thank you Jeff.
I completely agree with you Jeff, I always struggled to sing along to popular songs trying to stretch my chest voice too far. I’ve only just realised the importance of having a good transition ! Thanks for this !
I wish I knew about you 20 years ago. It took me a while to accept my range. I sing bass in barbershop, or when singing Southern gospel. However, when I sing on the worship team, I sing tenor. I use your videos to warm-up the range I'm using that day. I haven't found a way to sing my lowest low and highest tones with the same warm-up. However, these videos have been amazing for me. Thank you for your work.
I'm a trans man and I sing with the Seattle Men's Choir. when I transitioned I lost a ton of range. I went from being able to sing lower second tenor to upper first soprano and now I've got lower baritone to lower first tenor with no falsetto. I'm really looking for ways to get that any falsetto back and I've been enjoying your videos with your very thorough explanations.
Just started watching your lessons here. And this one in particular is invaluable to me, because my range is mid to upper baritone to lower tenor, and I really want to strengthen those higher notes in my range, dig deep and comfortably sing more soulfully up there. But I already am learning so much about singing in my chest voice in the upper baritone range and this just really makes me enjoy singing more and gives my original songs a more well rounded sound. Thank you!!
A very famous baritone of the past was once asked if it wasn't true that most baritones were really just frustrated tenors. "Perhaps." he replied, "But so are most tenors."
Exactly! I count myself as part of the frustrated tenor crowd. For a long time I struggled, which is a big reason why this channel exists. I hope I can alleviate some of that for others! Thank you! Jeff
Im a baritone started vocal training last August and highest full voice is G4 right now and falsetto starts at around C5-D5 area. I’m Singing low tenor songs as of right now. My goal is to get C5 in full voice hopefully after another year or so of training.
I’m a baritenor trying to learn “Hypnotize” by System of a Down. It’s so frustrating because I can hit the high notes in a strong head voice but the transition back to chest voice is so tough for me; I’m pretty sure the vocalist on these parts is a tenor. Thank you for the tips, these are helpful 🙏🏻
Can I get a lip troll madness for countertenor down to bass? Much love for everything you do! I have learned so much and gained a greater love of singing through your TH-cam. Thank you Jeff!
Yes my trickiest note is C4 I can mix it falsetto it head voice it or belt it But none sound great and it’s always tricky going up or down from this note. Grrrrrr hate c4
Eric Clapton Is a baritone And for a non training tenor “My father‘a eyes “ is an hard song to sing So if he can sing this song pretty well live , means baritone can sing in a decent tenor range Needs hard work and thx Jeff
Really expected "im not gonna talk much at all once we get into it"!) Thanks for video. I completely don't agree blablabla stuff as well. Im baritone but I dont consider that conclusion as diagnosis) just different approach. Will definitely try this one! Before that I was working with tenors videos but once it goes over G Im out. Once I check it out I will make additional review cause this exercises looks like something I was looking for in my struggle)
Hey, Jeff! I'm David. Wrote to you a while ago. I'm still watching your videos every day, just realized I wasn't subscribed (insane!!). This video really encompasses where my current problems lie. I'll keep practicing, and I'll remain patient. I'll be recording a song every week to track progress. Hopefully, I'll be able to finish recording the duets I had planned (i recorded myself before starting testosterone so later I could sing with myself). All the best!
@@davida6919 Freddy mercury a tenor? Did you listen to his opera recordings? I mean its pointless to argue, but I really beg to differ. we could do some overtone frequency spectral analysis, because then. its very clear to see the difference between a baritone and tenor. but the point where the passaggio sits and messy di voce happens is clear to hear in my opinion, very characteristic depending on voice type imo
Ah. That part at the end finally made it clear to me why you call it the secundo passagio. You're just going from the top down, aren't you? I'm used to thinking of them the other direction. BTW, is there a reason why, in the tenor videos I've seen, you have us hit the high note (in that "hooty quality voice") and then go down, but in this one you have us start low and go up? And what pitfalls are there to look out for when doing this exercise? I'm pretty sure that tension wants to get in the way as we go up, so where (as in what body part or what sounds) should be look out for that, and what can we do to counter it?
Hello! Thanks for watching and your comment! I will do the top down exercises if the exercises are meant to be more basic. Ascending over the secondo passaggio typically activates older habits that may or may not be advantageous to making incremental adjustments to phonation as one is ascending. I hope that helps! Jeff
Exactly what I was looking for. The range in this video suits my voice perfectly, but I struggle with the second registration event you mentioned at about A4. Looking forward to seeing a video about that later
Commenting on the first 4 minutes, the curse of baritones . Catch 22. Comparing Caruso to Pavarotti . I'll choose Pavarotti , it's sometimes is like listening to him climb to hit the high note, you think he'll crack, but then he Wows you and you cheer for him. Caruso tenor, no surprise, he hits it high without effort, like a bird, no drama.
Chore closure and mucus have always been an obstacle for me. Irregardless of how well I take care of myself, or how much practice I put in. And I’ve been singing for over 50 years. I find that when you have an organic instrument like the voice it’s very temperamental and inconsistent on so many different levels.
I don't know that I discuss it in any videos, but any 'warm up' with 'extended range' in the title will get to that point for the baritone fach. Tenor fach will go over it to d5 at least. Thank you for watching! Jeff
If that is intentional, carry on! If not, tell me a bit more and perhaps I can help. The terms you've used here are not ones that I've encountered in my teaching or training, and I'm unfamiliar with the impact that either of those singing options might have on the configuration of the vocal fold. All the best! Jeff
Is there a video on the registration even that happens at A natural? And what is that registration event called? I can comfortably sing up to about G4, Ab4 starts to get a little hairy, and A on a good day before I kind of need to switch to “falsetto”/pure head voice. Something on that I think would be very helpful. Also I have no idea if I’m a high baritone or a low tenor (not super important anyway), but a mixture of your baritone and tenor warmups are very helpful for me. Thank you!!! You’ve been very important for me in my journey with singing, you’ve really clarified a lot of things for me and helped me do it in healthy ways. Thank you very much. Hope you are well :)
I just wanna say to all baritones who feel hopeless, all of us go through that, there is no baritone curse and in fact I d argue the best voice type is baritone because high notes sound awesome thanks to the weight of the voice anyway, just dont give up, learn mixed voice and strengthen chest and falsetto, if you do these you can sing very high very good and almost all pop songs
I’m a baritone, and was the lead singer songwriter of a blues rock band for 7 years, I practiced my butt off and generally sang almost always in this area, most songs started around F4 A4 and I’d mix all the way up to A5 My range now spans from B1 to D6 gruanted the bottom and top 2 notes aren’t really that use able… I’ve been out of the singing game a while now due to covid and am suffering a little with tightening in the throat trying to sing the songs I used to so easily … would alot of this be to do with anxiety … which I do suffer from a lot ! And how long will it take to get this passagio area strong again ? Many thanks 😊
Anxiety can do a lot to keep us from singing our best. I think that this video, as well as many of the other practices on my channel can help with understanding and honing your vocal skills. Out of those practices come consistency and reliability. That, for me, has been a help in working on performance anxiety, but it's also important to look inwards and ask why the anxiety is happening. What are the root causes of it? What, if you can put words to it, are the feelings derived out of? Put the practical with the internal and it will help. Best, Jeff
@@JeffRolka thank you Jeff, makes a lot of sense ! I’m going to keep pushing myself and get that confidence and belief back! If I could do it before I can do it again! I sang through 3 led zeppelin tunes today .. struggled a little which I never used to put my voice isn’t hoarse so that’s a positive for me
Hmm I had no issue doing this, so am I tenor then? I didn’t feel any transition whatsoever. That being said I can typically go low into baritone scales easily too . I don’t like my thin tenor range though, oddly I don’t feel like I’m singing singing until higher notes yet those are the notes where I don’t like my tone
At the end of the video I talk about another registration event that happens beyond the range of this video. If you want to explore it, look for baritone or tenor videos with 'extended range' in the title on my channel. They will ascend over the registration events at roughly a4 and c5 respectively! Enjoy! Thank you! Jeff
i just turned 14, and my voice has been breaking and i am a baritone, i can go up high, but there is a blank spot around b3, c4,c#4,d4,eb4,e4,f4, i can't hit those notes in my chest i mean i can hit b3 to c#4, but it sounds strain like is it possible to mix or mix belt in areas like b3 to f4, i just cant do it.
When I get to the highest notes I feel an equal air pressure on my upper chest and in my head. Is that what I'm after? I'm not 100% sure but I would call myself a baritone. My new favorite lesson, thank you as always!
Physical sensations and descriptions are going to differ from individual to individual, but assuming you're staying adducted with the vocal fold and making a good registration practice at the higher notes, then yes, that's kind of how I would describe it feeling. Thanks for watching! Jeff
@@JeffRolka Thank you for the reply! It's hard to put into words a physical sensation and what you said is Greek to me! LOL It made sense when you talked about an airy sound vs full sound, anyhow always I appreciate your dedication and time!
I've always been Like why can't I sing high In chest voice? like Falsetto I can go up to the moon But I can barley get 2 Semi tones above middle C and I have that breal Right Their to, I'm trying to push It up another octave because that would be amazing
So, I have been singing for a long time. I actually have 6 Broadway credits. However, I have always been what I call a neck tie tenor. I used to be able to belt to an F. As I got older, that has dropped considerably. Recently, I started back to some voice lessons and have been supplementing them with your videos. I have been working on finding this so called transition through what, in my case is definitely a break. I am trying, or needing, to make the transition, or my teacher calls it a mix, to happen around C sharp trough E flat. After that, my head voice kicks in and sounds relatively similar to my chest voice. I hear so many guys sing through this transition seamlessly but so far it alludes me. What I find myself doing, is trying to hold my larynx down while raising my soft pallet or tonsils to sort of go “around” the yodel! That’s the only way I can describe it. Do you have any suggestions?
Hello! Thanks for watching and thanks for your detailed comment! I'd love to offer a suggestion, but I'm not sure what you're asking for a suggestion in regards to. Let me know what it is you're interested in learning about, and I'm happy to help. Best! Jeff
@@JeffRolka I guess I am asking is what is physically happening in correct transition and how do you control the sound throughout. Do you have any exercises that focus on this transition and more importantly, how to produce a clear tone? If I let go of the chest voice and sing very lightly, I can finesse a transition, but it is thin and reedy and vulnerable to cracking.
Hello and thank you for your message! Yes! I do lessons online all the time! You can send a message to me through this contact sheet: www.jeffrolka.com/lessons-Jeff-Rolka Scroll to the bottom of the page once you're on the website! Looking forward to hearing from you! Jeff
I can't tell precisely where my passaggios are. My voice breakes only after entering headvoice like at b4. My lower voice isn't powerful at all but i can sing down to D2. I have no idea what my voice type is. I know I'm not a bass and I doubt I'm a tenor. I thought I was a regular baritone but then I found out john legend and john lennon are baritones so i thought I was a bass-baritone but then I listened to some opera baritones and my voice is definitely lighter so now I'm thinking im a baritenor or high baritone but I'll probably change my mind again. Any thoughts?
That's a lovely video! As a baritone I have a unique problem... I have discovered my mix and have a smooth transition, but my powerful mix sounds very twangy and thus not very melodious... So I can only use it for Rock/power metal songs... For pop and other more mellow genres I almost always have to change to a combo of falsetto/light mix... Am I making optimum use of my voice or can I be more versatile than this?
Hard to say without hearing you, but as a general rule, I think we all can continue to explore and develop, especially when there are known limitations such as you're talking about. Keep at it, and see if you can't find new timbres in your cricothyroid dominant singing voice that allow for more genre flexibility. Best, Jeff
Hi Jeff, I consider myself a baritenor and am just getting back into singing after many years. I'm back in voice lessons and have really been rehabbing my voice. I have a question about the passaggios that you are talking about. As I follow your lesson, I do get to a point where my voice changes but I am getting "stuck" (in my head/understanding). How do I tell if I'm in head voice and where/how does that become falsetto? Thank you for your videos!
Yes, try some of the videos that are labeled with 'extended range' for baritone or tenor. They will all go beyond a4! Here's one: th-cam.com/video/VxenE008NF4/w-d-xo.html
@@JeffRolka It's the "how" I am interested in. I don't know if I have range to go to beyond the B after my C# break. I doubt I would ever use it LOL, but I am just wondering how much head voice there is for me. If you have addressed this, I'd love to know about it. I am going to tip you too, btw. I love your videos. The only thing that stops me is that I am downstairs in the studio and Google always asks for the code on my card, which is NEVER with me down here. If you have a Paypal, I'd love to know it. Thanks for these videos. I find them more helpful than all the lessons I've had face to face. You have pulled me out of a 6 week covid aftermath perfectly.
The practice of it gets covered in the extended range warm ups on my channel. I avoid naming it, because the word used for it is often used to mean a variety of different phonations. It's the falsetto register, but when making smooth transitions across the secondo passaggio and then the third passaggio, it is full and connected sounding. Here are some exercises: th-cam.com/video/0D-w0AACzdk/w-d-xo.html Thanks for watching!! Jeff
@@JeffRolka, thank you. Your video is the best explanation I’ve heard about the passaggio. I didn’t know it was the second passaggio and there are two others (first and third). I suppose the first starts around C4 and is navigated more easily? Where does the third passaggio occur? Is that the extended range warm ups you referred to?
@@JeffRolka, one more thing. Can you make an explanation video of the passaggios in comparison to Tom Jones’ singing? I think he’s a baritone who has perfected the art of becoming a baritenor. He can reach quite high. Am I correct? Is it the same with Elvis Presley?
Thank you so much for this video. I have a question though, I was told that I can only become a bari tenor with surgery. I dont want this so I've been working to increase my range. Is it possible to go from a low baritone to a bari-tenor?
One can 'masquerade' as other fachs, but your voice is your voice! Work on your registration event technique. Baritones can, with good technique, pass for tenors. There's a very famous opera singers in SF that does exactly that! Best, Jeff
Great question. No. Singing shouldn't hurt. If it does, stop and reevaluate how you are using your voice. Try some recordings and stay below your primo passaggio until you figure out how you're engaging. Jeff
How safe is it for a baritone to delay the mix by dragging the chest up untill tenor passagio? My natural mix starts at B3, and at E4 it is head dominant. But my voice sounds too heady after E4 to sing many pop songs. If i delay my mix by dragging chest up with proper support, and keep singing like that, I seem to shift my passagio forward depending on how much i chest dragged. The proof of my passagio shifting is that my mix starts cracking if i start mixing in baritone levels, but my mix still works in tenor ranges, also theres a noticable change in both my chest and head tone qualities afterwards, it feels more light and not rich like a baritone And i cant undo this untill i rest my voice. Is this safe? What are your thoughts?
Opinions on the practice you're describing vary. Some indicate that what you are doing is in fact the correct way of approaching the creation of a smooth transition across the secondo passaggio. I respectfully disagree. In order to make a smooth transition, and ultimately have consistent resonance across the secondo passaggio we need to find the most balanced point to switch over. In the early stages of this process, the sound of your voice above the secondo passaggio will be very heady sounding indeed - but this is far, far more noticeable in your own head than it is to those listening to you. This is a good time to begin recording yourself more regularly, if you decide to work towards making a smooth transition at a more balanced location, so that you can gauge your progress and contrast it with your internal experience. If you have pulled your chest voice up in the past, you will additionally experience a disconcerting change in the physical experience of singing notes above the secondo passaggio. They will sound hollow or 'head voice like' in your head, and they will feel so light as to seem weak. These sensations do change over time, but the greater change occurs in our perception assuming you're recording yourself to monitor your progress. Best Wishes! Thanks for an awesome question! I think I will also tackle this in Questions from Comments 5. Thank you! Jeff
I have the same problem. I can drag chest way high. Do a G4 in a shout. But that’s where it stops. After that it is just one big blank space. Unless I sing in mostly head voice. Which people have told me enablesme to sing in “alto voice” as a male. But my lower extensions are so low (E2-G4- A5)
Hey jeff, i have a question about the colour change, do you mean that owl sound that i hear people refer to ? Also, is it fine that I’m actually going from chest to head through these exercises ? Like the lower part of the exercise il sing with chest and than go through my break to head voice as we get higher ? Thanks alot !
Yes! The owl sound is a good description!!! I may switch to that, thank you! Yes! The transition is the whole point! Make the transition and smooth it out. Thanks for subscribing too! Jeff
I wouldn't put it that way, but there are those who would. I use the language and terms in these videos very deliberately. With that in mind, I make my videos to help facilitate voce piena in testa which requires smooth technique through the zona di passaggio and over the secondo passaggio. This facilitates the switching between thyroarytenoid dominant singing and cricothyroid dominant singing. I try to avoid using other terms as much as I can, but sometimes expediency necessitates it. The other terms, like 'mix voice' and 'belting' have all sorts of different interpretations and use cases depending on whom you speak to. Talking about vocal function in terms of muscle groups means that we have to come to some understanding about what it all means, but it also removes any confusion once we understand the terms and what impact the use of those muscle groups have on phonation. I'm sorry to have so much vocal terminology here, but I with your question, it's really the best way for me to try to articulate what it is these videos are about! I hope it helps! Thank you for your comment! Best, Jeff
@@JeffRolka thanks for your answer, I have a short follow up question, I hope you don’t mind When approaching passaggio, my larynx tends to rise really high which prevents me from surpassing d5 without excessive tension, and trying to sing the same note in falsetto is not possible except for when I do it very loudly. I seem to mess up some fundamental coordination in order to stay relaxed, I guess How can I practice this improving on those issues specifically? Is it just that my “head voice muscles” are just to weak and I should strengthen them by concentrating on singing higher stuff until I get used to it? Feels wrong to me, I need to find a way to get up there without my larynx trying to suffocate me while I try to cope this by being louder- maybe this is even worth a video? Thx for your time, sry for my question ending up longer than intended 😅😂
Hey! Not really sure if I’m a baritone or a tenor (I’ve had very little training). I think my passaggio is between D#4 and F#4. I can sing E4 and F4 in chest voice and even F#4 if I wanted to but if I make them too heavy they’ll be very unstable. I’m quite comfortable singing scales ending on F4/F#4 but I struggle with singing scales that start on C4 and go up to G4 and back. I find it very hard to balance my voice in this one scale specifically. Do you think I should practice the tenor passaggio or the baritone passaggio or both?
Great question. The range that you have indicated for where you think your secondo passaggio is, d# - f# is where it is located for both baritones and tenors! You'll have to keep going and observe where the most neutral location is within that range. Then you'll have a better idea of your fach! Until then, keep practicing and noticing what works best, what feels odd or results in inconsistencies in your singing. Best, Jeff
To me its not a curse . I am metal singer and my top note is A5 . My lowest is around E2 . My confort zone is like between F/G2 to C4 . I can have a clean melodic and bluesy style and metal gritty distorted quite . So the textures in that middle register and stuff are not curse . Then i can go extreme .
Some schools call it 'falsetto' but I prefer to refer to it as cricothyroid dominant to reflect the more closed nature of the vocal fold. Thank you very much for your question and kind words! I appreciate it! Thank you for putting the time code link in there, made it really easy to check! Best, Jeff
jeff .Here in Bs As we are waiting the winter with the quarantine , trying to take care of himself do you understand Spanish, because i have something I would like to share with you hug
The more I do this, the less I care about voice typing. Jessye Norman said it best..."pigeon holes are only comfortable for pigeons". It took me years to sing a good high G and A and when I do ...non singers want to call me a tenor. I ignore them....one knows where one's own voice is the most comfortable.
Well said!!!
It means so much you are giving baritones love. It is very rare I find a video as informational as this. Thank you Mr Rolka!
This is the only channel i really think is useful. Solid advices and easy to understand princples. Thx
Thank you so much for that! I do my best to do exercises and practices that I use in my private teaching (and have seen them work). Glad that they're working for you as well! Enjoy!
Jeff
I really like all these lessons. I never knew that there was so much more in all in singing. I am 53 years old and also a baritone .
The information in this video is invaluable to my regular practice. My range sits right between baritone and tenor, and I can directly apply what I've learned here. This is spot on.
A pleasure as always, thank you Jeff.
Excellent! Glad to hear it and happy to help! Enjoy!
Jeff
Two years later, I come across this instructional video, and leave a nearly identical comment as yours. Haha great!!
I completely agree with you Jeff, I always struggled to sing along to popular songs trying to stretch my chest voice too far. I’ve only just realised the importance of having a good transition ! Thanks for this !
Been doing this for the past three days and have already seen improvement, thanks a bunch
Dear Maestro, once again thank you very much for the enlighting lesson.
Abrazo from Buenos Aires!!
I wish I knew about you 20 years ago. It took me a while to accept my range. I sing bass in barbershop, or when singing Southern gospel. However, when I sing on the worship team, I sing tenor. I use your videos to warm-up the range I'm using that day. I haven't found a way to sing my lowest low and highest tones with the same warm-up. However, these videos have been amazing for me. Thank you for your work.
I sing lead in Barbershop you have some range going from Bass too Tenor.
Thank you Jeff. Sending lots of love. I’ve been following you for almost 3 years now and you grew my voice beyond my imagination
Fantastic! Thank you for watching and keep singing!
Jeff
I'm a trans man and I sing with the Seattle Men's Choir. when I transitioned I lost a ton of range. I went from being able to sing lower second tenor to upper first soprano and now I've got lower baritone to lower first tenor with no falsetto. I'm really looking for ways to get that any falsetto back and I've been enjoying your videos with your very thorough explanations.
Just started watching your lessons here. And this one in particular is invaluable to me, because my range is mid to upper baritone to lower tenor, and I really want to strengthen those higher notes in my range, dig deep and comfortably sing more soulfully up there. But I already am learning so much about singing in my chest voice in the upper baritone range and this just really makes me enjoy singing more and gives my original songs a more well rounded sound. Thank you!!
You're welcome! Happy to hear that it's useful! Keep going!
A very famous baritone of the past was once asked if it wasn't true that most baritones were really just frustrated tenors. "Perhaps." he replied, "But so are most tenors."
Exactly! I count myself as part of the frustrated tenor crowd. For a long time I struggled, which is a big reason why this channel exists. I hope I can alleviate some of that for others!
Thank you!
Jeff
thank you for everything you are doing for us, Jeff!!!
Can't wait for the next video for the next break!
This is great Jeff!
I'm a soprano teaching both a tenor and a baritone with high ranges...
Absolutely Awesome Video Jeff So Much
Thank you, Jeff. Great lesson and so clearly explained! Would love to see more videos on this topic with exercises.
Ohhh...i am a bass trying to be baritone...yes Jeff. That is my impossible dream
Massive respect for your content man!
I will definitely contribute to your work and support you.
Thank you
Im a baritone started vocal training last August and highest full voice is G4 right now and falsetto starts at around C5-D5 area. I’m Singing low tenor songs as of right now. My goal is to get C5 in full voice hopefully after another year or so of training.
Thank you!
I’m a baritenor trying to learn “Hypnotize” by System of a Down. It’s so frustrating because I can hit the high notes in a strong head voice but the transition back to chest voice is so tough for me; I’m pretty sure the vocalist on these parts is a tenor. Thank you for the tips, these are helpful 🙏🏻
I’m a natural tenor slowing learning my high and lows. All these practices helped big time. I think my vocal range is slowly getting wider.
Brilliant! Always important to revisit these concepts. Thanks, Jeff!
thank you for this great CHANNEL
you rock!!!! my new hero. thank you so much.. will have to purchase e book soon. xoxo
Yay! Thank you!
Thanks so much! I want other video like this...
Gran trabajo. Te saludo desde Salta Argentina. Muchas Felicidades
Thank you! Salutations from California! Enjoy the channel!
Jeff
You are fantastic my brother! Thanks for your wonderful focus and your sense of sharing. Really great...
Thank you! I appreciate that!
Jeff
You da best, Jeff!
Can I get a lip troll madness for countertenor down to bass? Much love for everything you do! I have learned so much and gained a greater love of singing through your TH-cam. Thank you Jeff!
Yes my trickiest note is C4 I can mix it falsetto it head voice it or belt it But none sound great and it’s always tricky going up or down from this note. Grrrrrr hate c4
im ready for the next video jeff! chest voice in head voice!!
and btw god bless you!
Eric Clapton
Is a baritone
And for a non training tenor
“My father‘a eyes “ is an hard song to sing
So if he can sing this song pretty well live
, means baritone can sing in a decent tenor range
Needs hard work and thx Jeff
Really expected "im not gonna talk much at all once we get into it"!) Thanks for video. I completely don't agree blablabla stuff as well. Im baritone but I dont consider that conclusion as diagnosis) just different approach. Will definitely try this one! Before that I was working with tenors videos but once it goes over G Im out. Once I check it out I will make additional review cause this exercises looks like something I was looking for in my struggle)
Hey, Jeff! I'm David. Wrote to you a while ago. I'm still watching your videos every day, just realized I wasn't subscribed (insane!!). This video really encompasses where my current problems lie. I'll keep practicing, and I'll remain patient. I'll be recording a song every week to track progress. Hopefully, I'll be able to finish recording the duets I had planned (i recorded myself before starting testosterone so later I could sing with myself).
All the best!
Thank you so much again and again!!
Wow, Jeff that was a wonderful lesson. Thank you very much.
Thank you brother❤️
Great vid
You are the best 👏
Axl Rose is the living proof why you shouldn't underestimate Baritone voice
I could not say it better myself. Thank you for watching and joining in!
Jeff
Let’s not forget about Freddy Mercury
What about Elvis Presley he was a Baritenor?
@@heiah he was a tenor tho
@@davida6919 Freddy mercury a tenor? Did you listen to his opera recordings? I mean its pointless to argue, but I really beg to differ. we could do some overtone frequency spectral analysis, because then. its very clear to see the difference between a baritone and tenor. but the point where the passaggio sits and messy di voce happens is clear to hear in my opinion, very characteristic depending on voice type imo
Always warm up to your videos, keep it up :)
❤❤Jeff Rolka❤❤
Ah. That part at the end finally made it clear to me why you call it the secundo passagio. You're just going from the top down, aren't you? I'm used to thinking of them the other direction.
BTW, is there a reason why, in the tenor videos I've seen, you have us hit the high note (in that "hooty quality voice") and then go down, but in this one you have us start low and go up?
And what pitfalls are there to look out for when doing this exercise? I'm pretty sure that tension wants to get in the way as we go up, so where (as in what body part or what sounds) should be look out for that, and what can we do to counter it?
Hello! Thanks for watching and your comment! I will do the top down exercises if the exercises are meant to be more basic. Ascending over the secondo passaggio typically activates older habits that may or may not be advantageous to making incremental adjustments to phonation as one is ascending.
I hope that helps!
Jeff
Youre the best, mate!
Exactly what I was looking for. The range in this video suits my voice perfectly, but I struggle with the second registration event you mentioned at about A4. Looking forward to seeing a video about that later
Glad it helped!
are you a leggero!
Commenting on the first 4 minutes, the curse of baritones . Catch 22. Comparing Caruso to Pavarotti . I'll choose Pavarotti , it's sometimes is like listening to him climb to hit the high note, you think he'll crack, but then he Wows you and you cheer for him. Caruso tenor, no surprise, he hits it high without effort, like a bird, no drama.
Thanks for your thoughts on that!
YESSS, this is exactly someone Im looking for. You the man Jeff!!!
Chore closure and mucus have always been an obstacle for me. Irregardless of how well I take care of myself, or how much practice I put in. And I’ve been singing for over 50 years. I find that when you have an organic instrument like the voice it’s very temperamental and inconsistent on so many different levels.
JEFF
THE BEST MUSIC AND SINGING SCHOOLS IN UNITES STATES?
BEST
love the way u call out ppl to subscribe lol
It really does help the channel! Thanks for being here!
Jeff
Very professional
Are you in California
Where are you located
Thanks Jeff! This is really helpful! Do you have any videos discussing the registration event that happens at A#?
I don't know that I discuss it in any videos, but any 'warm up' with 'extended range' in the title will get to that point for the baritone fach. Tenor fach will go over it to d5 at least.
Thank you for watching!
Jeff
It feels that I'm using the "cry mode" with these exercises more than I'm using standard head voice.
If that is intentional, carry on! If not, tell me a bit more and perhaps I can help. The terms you've used here are not ones that I've encountered in my teaching or training, and I'm unfamiliar with the impact that either of those singing options might have on the configuration of the vocal fold.
All the best!
Jeff
Is there a video on the registration even that happens at A natural? And what is that registration event called? I can comfortably sing up to about G4, Ab4 starts to get a little hairy, and A on a good day before I kind of need to switch to “falsetto”/pure head voice. Something on that I think would be very helpful. Also I have no idea if I’m a high baritone or a low tenor (not super important anyway), but a mixture of your baritone and tenor warmups are very helpful for me. Thank you!!! You’ve been very important for me in my journey with singing, you’ve really clarified a lot of things for me and helped me do it in healthy ways. Thank you very much. Hope you are well :)
Hello and thanks for watching! Any of the extended range warm ups will cover that tessitura. Thank you!
Jeff
I just wanna say to all baritones who feel hopeless, all of us go through that, there is no baritone curse and in fact I d argue the best voice type is baritone because high notes sound awesome thanks to the weight of the voice anyway, just dont give up, learn mixed voice and strengthen chest and falsetto, if you do these you can sing very high very good and almost all pop songs
Well said!
I’m a baritone, and was the lead singer songwriter of a blues rock band for 7 years, I practiced my butt off and generally sang almost always in this area, most songs started around F4 A4 and I’d mix all the way up to A5
My range now spans from B1 to D6 gruanted the bottom and top 2 notes aren’t really that use able… I’ve been out of the singing game a while now due to covid and am suffering a little with tightening in the throat trying to sing the songs I used to so easily … would alot of this be to do with anxiety … which I do suffer from a lot ! And how long will it take to get this passagio area strong again ? Many thanks 😊
Anxiety can do a lot to keep us from singing our best. I think that this video, as well as many of the other practices on my channel can help with understanding and honing your vocal skills. Out of those practices come consistency and reliability. That, for me, has been a help in working on performance anxiety, but it's also important to look inwards and ask why the anxiety is happening. What are the root causes of it? What, if you can put words to it, are the feelings derived out of?
Put the practical with the internal and it will help.
Best,
Jeff
@@JeffRolka thank you Jeff, makes a lot of sense ! I’m going to keep pushing myself and get that confidence and belief back! If I could do it before I can do it again! I sang through 3 led zeppelin tunes today .. struggled a little which I never used to put my voice isn’t hoarse so that’s a positive for me
helps alot thanks
I discovered your page today and I'm learning along with you. I need to contact you
I knew a guy who had a man bun and a mustache we used to call him, SirBundo Mustachio.
My passagio is at a E flat but I just struggled with a B4 in my mixed voice I don’t really know how to go into head
Hmm I had no issue doing this, so am I tenor then? I didn’t feel any transition whatsoever. That being said I can typically go low into baritone scales easily too .
I don’t like my thin tenor range though, oddly I don’t feel like I’m singing singing until higher notes yet those are the notes where I don’t like my tone
Dear Jeff Thanks for this video, where is the next which you mention at the end of the channel please ? Thanks
At the end of the video I talk about another registration event that happens beyond the range of this video. If you want to explore it, look for baritone or tenor videos with 'extended range' in the title on my channel. They will ascend over the registration events at roughly a4 and c5 respectively!
Enjoy! Thank you!
Jeff
Thank you very much Jeff ❤️💙
Thank you so much
i just turned 14, and my voice has been breaking and i am a baritone, i can go up high, but there is a blank spot around b3, c4,c#4,d4,eb4,e4,f4, i can't hit those notes in my chest i mean i can hit b3 to c#4, but it sounds strain like is it possible to mix or mix belt in areas like b3 to f4, i just cant do it.
When I get to the highest notes I feel an equal air pressure on my upper chest and in my head. Is that what I'm after? I'm not 100% sure but I would call myself a baritone. My new favorite lesson, thank you as always!
Physical sensations and descriptions are going to differ from individual to individual, but assuming you're staying adducted with the vocal fold and making a good registration practice at the higher notes, then yes, that's kind of how I would describe it feeling.
Thanks for watching!
Jeff
@@JeffRolka Thank you for the reply! It's hard to put into words a physical sensation and what you said is Greek to me! LOL It made sense when you talked about an airy sound vs full sound, anyhow always I appreciate your dedication and time!
Hi Jeff!! During the ascending patterns exercises in the video, are we suppose to transition from chest voice to head voice on the last note?
I've always been Like why can't I sing high In chest voice? like Falsetto I can go up to the moon But I can barley get 2 Semi tones above middle C and I have that breal Right Their to, I'm trying to push It up another octave because that would be amazing
makes sense
Am a baritone but I haven't developed my passagio yet and my high notes seem impossible most time unless I falset
That's not uncommon. That being said, should you choose to do so, a lot of repertoire opens up to you and becomes possible!
All the best,
Jeff
@@JeffRolka plssss can you put me through those developments and attaining of my high notes without stress
So, I have been singing for a long time. I actually have 6 Broadway credits. However, I have always been what I call a neck tie tenor. I used to be able to belt to an F. As I got older, that has dropped considerably. Recently, I started back to some voice lessons and have been supplementing them with your videos. I have been working on finding this so called transition through what, in my case is definitely a break. I am trying, or needing, to make the transition, or my teacher calls it a mix, to happen around C sharp trough E flat. After that, my head voice kicks in and sounds relatively similar to my chest voice. I hear so many guys sing through this transition seamlessly but so far it alludes me. What I find myself doing, is trying to hold my larynx down while raising my soft pallet or tonsils to sort of go “around” the yodel! That’s the only way I can describe it. Do you have any suggestions?
Hello! Thanks for watching and thanks for your detailed comment! I'd love to offer a suggestion, but I'm not sure what you're asking for a suggestion in regards to. Let me know what it is you're interested in learning about, and I'm happy to help.
Best!
Jeff
@@JeffRolka I guess I am asking is what is physically happening in correct transition and how do you control the sound throughout. Do you have any exercises that focus on this transition and more importantly, how to produce a clear tone? If I let go of the chest voice and sing very lightly, I can finesse a transition, but it is thin and reedy and vulnerable to cracking.
sensations seem correct but the best of transitions are still noticeable to your own ears!
You’ve been in six broadway shows?? That’s awesome! Do you have any tips?
Hi Jeff! greetings from Argentina. I was wondering if you're doing private virtual lessons and where i can contact you
Hello and thank you for your message! Yes! I do lessons online all the time! You can send a message to me through this contact sheet:
www.jeffrolka.com/lessons-Jeff-Rolka
Scroll to the bottom of the page once you're on the website! Looking forward to hearing from you!
Jeff
For people who do this everyday 4:15
jeff
i want to ask you about last bibliography you read about vocal technics, vocology, etc
with regards
joseph(baritone)
in a video he recommended richard miller books like training tenor voice and on the art of singing!
I can't tell precisely where my passaggios are. My voice breakes only after entering headvoice like at b4. My lower voice isn't powerful at all but i can sing down to D2. I have no idea what my voice type is. I know I'm not a bass and I doubt I'm a tenor. I thought I was a regular baritone but then I found out john legend and john lennon are baritones so i thought I was a bass-baritone but then I listened to some opera baritones and my voice is definitely lighter so now I'm thinking im a baritenor or high baritone but I'll probably change my mind again. Any thoughts?
Where can I find this other video for the next registration above A4?
That's a lovely video! As a baritone I have a unique problem... I have discovered my mix and have a smooth transition, but my powerful mix sounds very twangy and thus not very melodious... So I can only use it for Rock/power metal songs... For pop and other more mellow genres I almost always have to change to a combo of falsetto/light mix... Am I making optimum use of my voice or can I be more versatile than this?
Hard to say without hearing you, but as a general rule, I think we all can continue to explore and develop, especially when there are known limitations such as you're talking about. Keep at it, and see if you can't find new timbres in your cricothyroid dominant singing voice that allow for more genre flexibility.
Best,
Jeff
@@JeffRolka thank you for your advice! You could check my videos to see what I was talking about...
Hi Jeff, I consider myself a baritenor and am just getting back into singing after many years. I'm back in voice lessons and have really been rehabbing my voice. I have a question about the passaggios that you are talking about. As I follow your lesson, I do get to a point where my voice changes but I am getting "stuck" (in my head/understanding). How do I tell if I'm in head voice and where/how does that become falsetto? Thank you for your videos!
Great question! I've done a few videos on this, have a look here and let me know if this helps:
th-cam.com/video/D2gItOjRIDw/w-d-xo.html
Best,
Jeff
I call it "Mickey's voice" !
I needed this so bad!
I have a question, How often should I do this exercise??
Yeah my range is baritone and a tenor
I Hope that exercises help me to finally sing a1😅
Jeff, did you do a video for the transition beyond A (after the break)? Which one is it??
Yes, try some of the videos that are labeled with 'extended range' for baritone or tenor. They will all go beyond a4!
Here's one:
th-cam.com/video/VxenE008NF4/w-d-xo.html
@@JeffRolka It's the "how" I am interested in. I don't know if I have range to go to beyond the B after my C# break. I doubt I would ever use it LOL, but I am just wondering how much head voice there is for me. If you have addressed this, I'd love to know about it. I am going to tip you too, btw. I love your videos. The only thing that stops me is that I am downstairs in the studio and Google always asks for the code on my card, which is NEVER with me down here. If you have a Paypal, I'd love to know it. Thanks for these videos. I find them more helpful than all the lessons I've had face to face. You have pulled me out of a 6 week covid aftermath perfectly.
What Is the other registration event above A natural you mentioned at the end of the video and your video associated with it? Thanks.
The practice of it gets covered in the extended range warm ups on my channel. I avoid naming it, because the word used for it is often used to mean a variety of different phonations. It's the falsetto register, but when making smooth transitions across the secondo passaggio and then the third passaggio, it is full and connected sounding. Here are some exercises:
th-cam.com/video/0D-w0AACzdk/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for watching!!
Jeff
@@JeffRolka, thank you. Your video is the best explanation I’ve heard about the passaggio. I didn’t know it was the second passaggio and there are two others (first and third). I suppose the first starts around C4 and is navigated more easily? Where does the third passaggio occur? Is that the extended range warm ups you referred to?
@@JeffRolka, one more thing. Can you make an explanation video of the passaggios in comparison to Tom Jones’ singing? I think he’s a baritone who has perfected the art of becoming a baritenor. He can reach quite high. Am I correct? Is it the same with Elvis Presley?
Thank you so much for this video. I have a question though, I was told that I can only become a bari tenor with surgery. I dont want this so I've been working to increase my range. Is it possible to go from a low baritone to a bari-tenor?
One can 'masquerade' as other fachs, but your voice is your voice! Work on your registration event technique. Baritones can, with good technique, pass for tenors. There's a very famous opera singers in SF that does exactly that!
Best,
Jeff
Is it okay if it hurts just a tiny bit the first time? Also, does it stop hurting if I do this regularly? Thank you for the videos!
Great question. No. Singing shouldn't hurt. If it does, stop and reevaluate how you are using your voice. Try some recordings and stay below your primo passaggio until you figure out how you're engaging.
Jeff
How safe is it for a baritone to delay the mix by dragging the chest up untill tenor passagio?
My natural mix starts at B3, and at E4 it is head dominant.
But my voice sounds too heady after E4 to sing many pop songs.
If i delay my mix by dragging chest up with proper support, and keep singing like that,
I seem to shift my passagio forward depending on how much i chest dragged.
The proof of my passagio shifting is that my mix starts cracking if i start mixing in baritone levels, but my mix still works in tenor ranges, also theres a noticable change in both my chest and head tone qualities afterwards, it feels more light and not rich like a baritone
And i cant undo this untill i rest my voice.
Is this safe? What are your thoughts?
Opinions on the practice you're describing vary. Some indicate that what you are doing is in fact the correct way of approaching the creation of a smooth transition across the secondo passaggio.
I respectfully disagree. In order to make a smooth transition, and ultimately have consistent resonance across the secondo passaggio we need to find the most balanced point to switch over.
In the early stages of this process, the sound of your voice above the secondo passaggio will be very heady sounding indeed - but this is far, far more noticeable in your own head than it is to those listening to you.
This is a good time to begin recording yourself more regularly, if you decide to work towards making a smooth transition at a more balanced location, so that you can gauge your progress and contrast it with your internal experience.
If you have pulled your chest voice up in the past, you will additionally experience a disconcerting change in the physical experience of singing notes above the secondo passaggio. They will sound hollow or 'head voice like' in your head, and they will feel so light as to seem weak. These sensations do change over time, but the greater change occurs in our perception assuming you're recording yourself to monitor your progress.
Best Wishes! Thanks for an awesome question! I think I will also tackle this in Questions from Comments 5. Thank you!
Jeff
@@JeffRolka thankyou for your detailed reply. I look forward to seeing that video if you include it!!
I have the same problem. I can drag chest way high. Do a G4 in a shout. But that’s where it stops. After that it is just one big blank space. Unless I sing in mostly head voice. Which people have told me enablesme to sing in “alto voice” as a male. But my lower extensions are so low (E2-G4- A5)
Hey jeff, i have a question about the colour change, do you mean that owl sound that i hear people refer to ? Also, is it fine that I’m actually going from chest to head through these exercises ? Like the lower part of the exercise il sing with chest and than go through my break to head voice as we get higher ? Thanks alot !
Yes! The owl sound is a good description!!! I may switch to that, thank you!
Yes! The transition is the whole point! Make the transition and smooth it out.
Thanks for subscribing too!
Jeff
My vocal range is from D2 upto Bb4, without falsetto and I don't know which voice am I, baritone or baritenor
I responded to another comment of yours, but just in case you missed it, check this out:
th-cam.com/video/P91MkMUGjMQ/w-d-xo.html
How many notes higher can a baritenor sing usually, compared to a typical baritone?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fach
Am I under the right impression that all we are doing here is considered singing in the mix? Are we belting so to say?
I wouldn't put it that way, but there are those who would. I use the language and terms in these videos very deliberately. With that in mind, I make my videos to help facilitate voce piena in testa which requires smooth technique through the zona di passaggio and over the secondo passaggio. This facilitates the switching between thyroarytenoid dominant singing and cricothyroid dominant singing.
I try to avoid using other terms as much as I can, but sometimes expediency necessitates it. The other terms, like 'mix voice' and 'belting' have all sorts of different interpretations and use cases depending on whom you speak to. Talking about vocal function in terms of muscle groups means that we have to come to some understanding about what it all means, but it also removes any confusion once we understand the terms and what impact the use of those muscle groups have on phonation.
I'm sorry to have so much vocal terminology here, but I with your question, it's really the best way for me to try to articulate what it is these videos are about!
I hope it helps! Thank you for your comment!
Best,
Jeff
@@JeffRolka thanks for your answer, I have a short follow up question, I hope you don’t mind
When approaching passaggio, my larynx tends to rise really high which prevents me from surpassing d5 without excessive tension, and trying to sing the same note in falsetto is not possible except for when I do it very loudly. I seem to mess up some fundamental coordination in order to stay relaxed, I guess
How can I practice this improving on those issues specifically? Is it just that my “head voice muscles” are just to weak and I should strengthen them by concentrating on singing higher stuff until I get used to it? Feels wrong to me, I need to find a way to get up there without my larynx trying to suffocate me while I try to cope this by being louder- maybe this is even worth a video?
Thx for your time, sry for my question ending up longer than intended 😅😂
Hey! Not really sure if I’m a baritone or a tenor (I’ve had very little training). I think my passaggio is between D#4 and F#4. I can sing E4 and F4 in chest voice and even F#4 if I wanted to but if I make them too heavy they’ll be very unstable. I’m quite comfortable singing scales ending on F4/F#4 but I struggle with singing scales that start on C4 and go up to G4 and back. I find it very hard to balance my voice in this one scale specifically. Do you think I should practice the tenor passaggio or the baritone passaggio or both?
Great question. The range that you have indicated for where you think your secondo passaggio is, d# - f# is where it is located for both baritones and tenors! You'll have to keep going and observe where the most neutral location is within that range. Then you'll have a better idea of your fach! Until then, keep practicing and noticing what works best, what feels odd or results in inconsistencies in your singing.
Best,
Jeff
@@JeffRolka thank you and thank you for the wonderful videos! What do you mean by the most neutral location within that range?
Where it feels most natural both ascending and descending and you get the most seamless transition.
Best!
Jeff
To me its not a curse .
I am metal singer and my top note is A5 .
My lowest is around E2 .
My confort zone is like between F/G2 to C4 .
I can have a clean melodic and bluesy style and metal gritty distorted quite .
So the textures in that middle register and stuff are not curse .
Then i can go extreme .
Are we suppose to do this exercise in Head voice or chest voice?
The idea is transition between the two.
Best,
JEff
Jeff Rolka So the idea is to get a mixed voice sound right? Also, thank for replying!
4:32 are you talking about going into falsetto? not the airy falsetto but full on cricothyroid?
by the way YOU ROCK!
Some schools call it 'falsetto' but I prefer to refer to it as cricothyroid dominant to reflect the more closed nature of the vocal fold. Thank you very much for your question and kind words! I appreciate it! Thank you for putting the time code link in there, made it really easy to check!
Best,
Jeff
jeff
.Here in Bs As we are waiting the winter with the quarantine , trying to take care of himself
do you understand Spanish, because i have something I would like to share with you
hug
Sorry, no, I don't understand Spanish, but I can always pop it in Googe Translator!
Best!
Jeff
Hi