The human voice can produce various sounds due to the complexity of the vocal cords and their ability to vibrate in multiple modes. In vocal music, the terms head voice and chest voice can refer to either a vocal resonance area or a type of vocal register. The primary difference between the head voice and chest voice is the area of the body where the majority of resonance is felt. When singing with the head voice, vibrations are felt around the upper half of the face, while with the chest voice, vibrations are felt around the lower neck and sternum.
Key Takeaways
- The main difference between head voice and chest voice is the area of the body where the majority of resonance is felt.
- Head voice is associated with light, bright tones that are higher in pitch, while chest voice is associated with deep, warm, thick, and rich tones.
- Both head voice and chest voice are important terms in vocal music and can refer to vocal resonance areas or types of vocal registers.
What is Head Voice?
Head voice can refer to a type of vocal register or a vocal resonance area. Vocal resonance is the area in the body that feels the most resonance when a person is singing. When someone sings with their head voice, they will feel vibrations around the upper half of their face. The primary resonator in this instance is the sinuses, despite the resonation of other vocal structures. The head voice is associated with light, bright tones that are higher in pitch. According to David Clippinger, all voices have a head register, whether male or female, soprano or bass. He also claims that both men and women switch registers at the same absolute pitch. Head voice is often confused with falsetto, which is typically thinner than the head voice.
What is Chest Voice?
Chest voice also refers to a type of vocal register or a vocal resonance area. When a person sings in their chest voice, they will feel more vibrations around the lower neck and sternum. These vibrations can be felt by placing a hand in the middle of the chest while speaking in a regular voice. Chest voice is often associated with deep, warm, thick, and rich tones. A person’s voice does not always use a distinct vocal mode; it should always mix the resonance areas, with one predominating over the others. The voice is more of a spectrum containing all vocal modes, including head voice and chest voice.
What is the difference between Head Voice and Chest Voice?
Head Voice vs Chest Voice:
– When singing with the head voice, vibrations are felt around the upper half of the face.
– When singing with the chest voice, vibrations are felt around the lower neck and sternum.
Quality of Sound:
– Head Voice is associated with light, bright tones.
– Chest Voice is associated with deep, thick, and rich tones.
Pitch:
– Head voice produces sounds that are higher in pitch.
– Chest voice produces sounds that are lower in pitch.
Summary – Head Voice vs Chest Voice
The main difference between head voice and chest voice is the resonance area. When singing with the head voice, more vibrations are felt in the upper face, whereas when singing with the chest voice, more vibrations are felt in the lower neck and sternum.
