Falsetto Register
Falsetto register is a term that is applied especially to men to the high “feminine” quality sound available to most above the chest (normal speaking) register. Some call this head register. Falsetto is used in some countertenor voices and, in other cases, for comic effect.
Some use “falsetto” as a term to denote the voice quality above the first break, whether in the male or female voice. This is the quality used by female classical singers, as compared with a more intense chest voice phonation used in most popular styles. The language and concepts used to describe vocal registers vary widely; hence, care is warranted so as to not take any single definition, such as ours, too seriously!
Male Chest Voice, Then Falsetto — Same Singer
This recording features the same male singer performing in two distinct vocal registers. In the first aria, he sings in his chest voice as a light baritone. In the second aria, the very same singer performs in his falsetto register.
While some men are able to sing effectively in both registers, many do not develop a fully functional falsetto. This example demonstrates the contrast clearly.
The presentation begins with the opening bars of each aria placed side by side, followed—for those interested—by the complete performance of each aria.
Audio Example of Sustained Falsetto to Chest
Falsetto vs Chest Registers at the Same Pitch—This is Worth Careful Study
Falsetto register (1 of 6)
Chest register (2 of 6)
Falsetto, open phase (3 of 6)
Falsetto, “closed” phase (4 of 6)
Chest, open phase (5 of 6)
Chest, closed phase (6 of 6)
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