midvoice

vocal register

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Last updated

June 30, 2026

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The midvoice is one of the three basic vocal registers, alongside chest voice and head voice. These terms originated from the perceived location of resonance during singing: chest voice in the chest, head voice in the skull, and midvoice in an intermediate position. The transition between registers can be compared to a car's gearshift, with smooth transitions being a goal of vocal education. The midvoice mechanism is employed in the loud male head voice, while the falsetto mechanism is used for soft male falsetto. In females, the midvoice behaves similarly to the lower registers, and can be followed by a whistle register.1

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The basic registers
…registers being called chest voice, midvoice, and head voice. These terms are derived from observations, for example, that in the low-chest register the resonances are felt chiefly over the chest. When sitting on a wooden bench with a large male, one can feel the vibrations of his low voice being…
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…registers being called chest voice, midvoice, and head voice. These terms are derived from observations, for example, that in the low-chest register the resonances are felt chiefly over the chest. When sitting on a wooden bench with a large male, one can feel the vibrations of his low voice being…
Read More