The voice type of a singer is characterized by specific attributes such as vocal weight, vocal range, tessitura, and vocal timbre. Male voice types include baritone and bass. The primary distinction between the two is their range: baritone falls between tenor and bass, while bass is the lowest male voice type with the lowest tessitura of all voice types.
Key Takeaways
- Baritone is the range between tenor and bass, while bass is the lowest range.
- Baritone voices typically play roles like noblemen and generals in operas due to their powerful and weighty tones, while bass voices can portray a variety of characters, including villains and comedic figures.
- Both bass and baritone have subcategories based on range, timbre, weight, or dexterity of voice.
What is Baritone?
Baritone is the most prevalent male voice type, falling between tenor (highest) and bass (lowest). However, its power and weight give it a strong masculine feel, making it ideal for roles like noblemen and generals in operas. Notable examples of baritone roles in operas include Papageno in Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Don Giovanni in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, and Figaro in Rossini’s The Barber of Seville. The typical baritone range is from A2 (the second A below middle C) to A4 (the A above middle C), with extensions up to C5 or down to F2. Baritone can be further divided into nine subcategories: baryton-Martin, lyric baritone, coloratura baritone, heldenbaritone, kavalierbariton, Verdi baritone, baryton-noble, dramatic baritone, and bass-baritone.
What is Bass?
Bass is the lowest male voice type, having the lowest tessitura of all voice types. The bass range typically spans from E2 (the second E below middle C) to E4 (the E above middle C), with some basses able to sing from C2 (two octaves below middle C) to G4 (the G above middle C). Bass can also be divided into six subcategories: basso profondo, basso buffo, bel canto bass, dramatic bass, basso cantante, and bass-baritone. In operas, bass voices can portray a wide range of characters, such as villains, comic-relief characters, and other supporting roles. However, in choirs, bass singers may have monotonous melodic lines.
What is the difference between Baritone and Bass?
Baritone is the range between tenor and bass, while bass is the lowest range. The typical baritone range spans from A2 to A4, while the typical bass range spans from E2 to E4. Baritones often play roles of noblemen and generals in operas due to the power and weight of their voices, while bass singers can play a diverse range of characters, including villains and comic characters. Baritone is the most common male voice type, while bass voices are typically found in adult males. Baritone has nine subcategories, while bass has six subcategories.
Summary – Baritone vs Bass
Baritone and bass are two male voice types that differ in their voice range. Bass is the lowest male voice type, while baritone falls between tenor, the highest, and bass, the lowest. The roles played in operas and the parts sung in choirs also vary according to voice type. Both bass and baritone can be further divided into subcategories.
