Voice type · 2 of 6
The baritone voice
A baritone is the middle men's voice, between bass and tenor, with a usual range from G2 to G4. It sounds warm and full through the middle, and in a choir it sings Bass or Tenor 2.
- Usual range
- G2 to G4
- Choir part
- Bass or Tenor 2
Hear the range
G2 to G4The baritone range
A baritone's usual range runs from G2, the G an octave and a fourth below middle C, to G4, the G just above middle C: two octaves. Most baritones are at home in the middle of it, from about C3 to D4.
Trained baritones often reach A4 or higher, and many have a note or two below G2, though they get quieter down there. Baritone is often called the most common men's voice, and plenty of men sit between baritone and one of its neighbours.
Am I a baritone, a tenor or a bass?
Against a tenor, look at the top. Many baritones feel the voice change gear around D4 or E4, and a song that sits around E4 to G4 tires them. A tenor changes later, around F4 or G4, and can stay up there. Against a bass, look at the bottom: a bass keeps a full, solid tone down to F2 or E2, where a baritone's low notes thin out. A bass also tends to change gear lower, around middle C.
Colour helps too: a baritone sounds lighter than a bass and warmer and fuller than a tenor in the middle. Voices in between are common: a bass-baritone sits between bass and baritone, and a high baritone often sings Tenor 2 well.
Singing baritone in a choir
Most mixed choirs have no baritone part, so a baritone sings Bass or Tenor 2. Bass suits a baritone when the part's lowest notes stay around G2 or above. Tenor 2, the lower line when the tenors split, suits a high baritone whose top is easy to about F4 or G4. The director chooses by the music and where voices are needed.
In music for men's voices, the part may be called Baritone. In barbershop, the baritone sings a harmony note that crosses above and below the lead, who has the tune. Wherever you sing, keep the top notes light rather than pushing chest voice up, and stop if it strains.
The six voice types
Where baritone sits
Song parts in this range
Song parts to start with
Each stays inside the usual baritone range, so it's a good place to start. Open one to hear it and learn it.
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Questions
About baritones
What is the baritone vocal range?
The usual baritone range is G2 to G4: two octaves, from the G an octave and a fourth below middle C to the G just above it. Trained baritones often go beyond it at the top, and every voice is a little different.
Should a baritone sing bass or tenor in a choir?
Either can work: a baritone usually sings Bass or Tenor 2. If the tenor part's top notes feel easy, Tenor 2 suits you; if the bass part's lowest notes still have tone, Bass does. The director decides by the music and where voices are needed.
Can a baritone sing tenor songs?
Often yes, in a lower key. Moving a song down a few semitones keeps the tune the same and brings its high notes into a baritone's easy range; on Stackapella you can move a song up or down until it sits right. What to avoid is pushing for notes above your easy range.
Is baritone the most common male voice?
It is often called that, and many men's voices do sit in the baritone range. No count settles it, though, and plenty of men sit between baritone and tenor, or baritone and bass.
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