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Head Voice vs. Chest Voice: 4 Differences

 A question I get asked a lot is, you know, how to hit your high notes better, stronger, more impactful. So much really is mental. You kind of have to psych yourself out, that you have it. You own it. And you have to just, again, prepare your body for that stance, that confidence that comes from your core, and having the right breath to back it up. During my vocal scales, if you're doing (SINGING) ave Maria, ave Maria, ave Maria. And then, say, the next note, (SINGING) ave Maria, ia-- is like the the poignant part, say, in what you're really trying to hit, if you can try and approach that without thinking, like, (SINGING) ave Marie-- like, ooh, I'm going to go up there right now. If you can almost think of the note prior to it as being your most important note, so (SINGING) ave Ma-- if "Ma" being the note right before "i," if you can almost think of that being, like, the most troublesome point, and if you nail that, then you're golden, it will take the pressure and the strain off of the impact you're going to give that super-high note that you're worried about. [MUSIC PLAYING]

Before teaching vocal techniques, voice teachers often review voice types (soprano, alto, tenor, bass/baritone) and registers. Vocal registers are ranges of tones of the human voice. The vibrations of vocal folds, the folds of mucous membranes that stretch across the larynx, produce different tones. There are two main registers: chest voice (which covers the mid to lower range of a voice) and head voice (which consists of the higher range). Singers can practice vocal exercises to strengthen and expand their [vocal range](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/vocal-range). Singers often employ multiple vocal registers in one song or [aria](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/arias-in-music) to show off their range and create a more vigorous performance.
The term “head voice” broadly refers to a singer’s upper register. When you sing high notes, there’s a good chance you are using your head voice. The vocal cords naturally shorten to meet that upper range and reach higher notes. The head voice range is the highest register a singer has before hitting the whistle register, which not everyone has. [Mariah Carey](https://www.masterclass.com/classes/mariah-carey-teaches-the-voice-as-an-instrument)’s head voice extends to the whistle register. “When I was a little girl, I would wake up and be so raspy that I would talk like a little squeak,” Mariah recalls. “Then I learned how to make that into something that became like a whistle, like whistling, but with your vocal cords.”
Singers can employ the falsetto and head voice to sing higher notes, so these ranges are often confused for one another. Male and female singers have a falsetto, which reaches into the higher end of your head voice. It has a lighter and softer sound, almost like a flute. The difference is how the vocal cords behave; when singing in falsetto, the vocal cords come slightly apart, but when singing in the head register, they remain together and give the voice a more robust quality.
The chest voice consists of the middle and low notes of your vocal range; this is the range you use in your speaking voice. When you sing in the chest voice, your vocal folds vibrate across their entire length, producing a fuller, more robust sound than the head voice or falsetto. When female singers use this voice register, it may be known as [belting](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/belting), especially when the singing voice has a powerful, resonant quality. Singers require proper airflow, phonation, and support to sustain this middle voice.

People can be prone to vocal fry when speaking in the chest voice. Talking with a breathy quality in the lower part of your vocal range requires a loose glottal closure, leading to a cracked and foggy sound. Practicing [vocal health](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/vocal-health) is essential for maintaining your speaking and singing voice.
There are several differences between the head voice and chest voice, including:

1. __Quality__: The vocal tone and timbre of these voices vary. Singing in the chest register can have a more pronounced, booming quality, while the head voice can be brighter. 
2. __Range__: Head voice spans a singer’s higher register, and the chest voice covers the lower voice range.
3. __Sensation__: The sensation of singing also differs between these registers. When singing lower notes in your chest voice, you can feel the vibrations in your chest. When you sing in full head voice, however, you feel your voice in the crown of your head, behind your eyes, and between your ears.
4. __Vocal cords__: On the anatomical level, thin vocal cords create head voice, and thick vocal cords create chest voice. 

Mixed voice is a method of singing that uses both your chest voice and your head voice: The head voice allows you to reach higher notes, while the chest voice provides strength. Singing in this area of your chest and throat can give you better control over your voice and the notes you can hit.
Become a better musician with the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com). Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys, St. Vincent, Usher, and more.
Through vocal exercises and singing lessons, artists can learn singing techniques and warm-ups necessary to move comfortably from chest voice to head voice. Learn the differences between these vocal registers.

Through vocal exercises and singing lessons, artists can learn singing techniques and warm-ups necessary to move comfortably from chest voice to head voice. Learn the differences between these vocal registers.

Before teaching vocal techniques, voice teachers often review voice types (soprano, alto, tenor, bass/baritone) and registers. Vocal registers are ranges of tones of the human voice. The vibrations of vocal folds, the folds of mucous membranes that stretch across the larynx, produce different tones. There are two main registers: chest voice (which covers the mid to lower range of a voice) and head voice (which consists of the higher range). Singers can practice vocal exercises to strengthen and expand their <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/vocal-range' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/vocal-range","linkCopy":"vocal range","category":null}'>vocal range</a>. Singers often employ multiple vocal registers in one song or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/arias-in-music' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/arias-in-music","linkCopy":"aria","category":null}'>aria</a> to show off their range and create a more vigorous performance.

A Brief Overview of Vocal Registers

The term “head voice” broadly refers to a singer’s upper register. When you sing high notes, there’s a good chance you are using your head voice. The vocal cords naturally shorten to meet that upper range and reach higher notes. The head voice range is the highest register a singer has before hitting the whistle register, which not everyone has. <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/classes/mariah-carey-teaches-the-voice-as-an-instrument' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/classes/mariah-carey-teaches-the-voice-as-an-instrument","linkCopy":"Mariah Carey","category":null}'>Mariah Carey</a>’s head voice extends to the whistle register. “When I was a little girl, I would wake up and be so raspy that I would talk like a little squeak,” Mariah recalls. “Then I learned how to make that into something that became like a whistle, like whistling, but with your vocal cords.”

What Is Head Voice?

Singers can employ the falsetto and head voice to sing higher notes, so these ranges are often confused for one another. Male and female singers have a falsetto, which reaches into the higher end of your head voice. It has a lighter and softer sound, almost like a flute. The difference is how the vocal cords behave; when singing in falsetto, the vocal cords come slightly apart, but when singing in the head register, they remain together and give the voice a more robust quality.

Head Voice vs. Falsetto: What’s the Difference?

The chest voice consists of the middle and low notes of your vocal range; this is the range you use in your speaking voice. When you sing in the chest voice, your vocal folds vibrate across their entire length, producing a fuller, more robust sound than the head voice or falsetto. When female singers use this voice register, it may be known as <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/belting' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/belting","linkCopy":"belting","category":null}'>belting</a>, especially when the singing voice has a powerful, resonant quality. Singers require proper airflow, phonation, and support to sustain this middle voice.People can be prone to vocal fry when speaking in the chest voice. Talking with a breathy quality in the lower part of your vocal range requires a loose glottal closure, leading to a cracked and foggy sound. Practicing <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/vocal-health' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/vocal-health","linkCopy":"vocal health","category":null}'>vocal health</a> is essential for maintaining your speaking and singing voice.

What Is Chest Voice?

There are several differences between the head voice and chest voice, including:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Quality: The vocal tone and timbre of these voices vary. Singing in the chest register can have a more pronounced, booming quality, while the head voice can be brighter. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Range: Head voice spans a singer’s higher register, and the chest voice covers the lower voice range. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Sensation: The sensation of singing also differs between these registers. When singing lower notes in your chest voice, you can feel the vibrations in your chest. When you sing in full head voice, however, you feel your voice in the crown of your head, behind your eyes, and between your ears. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Vocal cords: On the anatomical level, thin vocal cords create head voice, and thick vocal cords create chest voice. </li></ol>Mixed voice is a method of singing that uses both your chest voice and your head voice: The head voice allows you to reach higher notes, while the chest voice provides strength. Singing in this area of your chest and throat can give you better control over your voice and the notes you can hit.

Head Voice vs. Chest Voice: What’s the Difference?

Become a better musician with the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys, St. Vincent, Usher, and more.

Want to Learn More About Music?

Through vocal exercises and singing lessons, artists can learn singing techniques and warm-ups necessary to move comfortably from chest voice to head voice. Learn the differences between these vocal registers.

Through vocal exercises and singing lessons, artists can learn singing techniques and warm-ups necessary to move comfortably from chest voice to head voice. Learn the differences between these vocal registers.


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Head Voice vs. Chest Voice: 4 Differences