Figuring out your singing range is one of the best ways to understand your voice and track your progress. For a trained vocal coach, this process is quick and easy, but if you’re doing it yourself, don’t worry! You can actually use this challenge to improve your singing and test your range at the same time!
What You’ll Need
Before we get started, gather the following:
✅ A Piano or Keyboard App – You need a way to play individual notes. Any piano, digital keyboard, or even an online keyboard will work!
✅ A Pitch Matching App – We have a free pitch matching app at our website YourSingingQuestionsAnswered.com. Other apps include Vocal Pitch Monitor, Sing Sharp, or even a tuner app. Pitch matching apps can help confirm if you’re hitting the right note.
✅ Paper & Something to Write With – You’ll need to record your results as you go.
Step-by-Step Guide to Testing Your Range
Step 1: Find Your Starting Note
Pick a note on the piano that feels comfortable to sing—not too high, not too low. Remember this note – you’ll need it later!
Sing the note and hold it for 2 seconds. Use your pitch app to confirm you’re singing the right note.
If it’s too hard to match, try a different note in the same octave.
Step 2: Find Your Lowest Note
Now, we’ll work our way down to find your lowest comfortable pitch.
Press the note just below your starting note and try to sing it. If you can match the pitch, write it down and give yourself one point. Repeat this process, moving down by one semitone (or one key) at a time.
STOP when the notes start sounding weak, airy, or forced—this is your lowest note! Write down the lowest note.
Step 3: Find Your Highest Note
Now, we go upward to find your highest pitch!
Go back to your starting note and play the note one semitone higher (up one key).
Try to match that note and hold it for 2 seconds. Press the note just below your starting note and try to sing it. If you can match the pitch, write it down and give yourself one point.
Keep going higher by one semitone (or key on the keyboard) until you reach the point where your voice cracks, strains, or feels uncomfortable.
STOP when you can’t comfortably sing any higher—this is your highest note! Write it down.
Step 4: Calculate Your Singing Range
Now, let’s do some quick math!
- Count the total number of notes you were able to sing comfortably.
- Divide this number by 12 (since an octave has 12 notes).
- The result tells you how many octaves you can sing.
Example Calculation:
Let’s say you matched 15 different notes:
15 ÷ 12 = 1 full octave with 3 extra notes.
Your range is 1 octave and 3 notes!
Step 5: Repeat Regularly to Track Progress
Repeat this test daily for a week to get consistent results.
Test your range once a month if you’re actively training with vocal exercises.
Pro Tip: If you’re working on range-stretching exercises (which we cover in our book, Your Singing Questions Answered!), your range should gradually increase over time.
Final Thoughts: Your Range Is Just the Beginning!
Understanding your vocal range is important, but it’s just a starting point. Expanding your range takes proper technique, breath control, and the right exercises—all of which a vocal coach can guide you through. This exercise can be frustrating at first, keep working at it!!
- Be patient with your voice.
- Never force notes that strain your vocal cords.
- Enjoy the process and track your improvements!
Now go test your range and happy singing!
