#fachprofile

Voice Type: Full-Lyric Soprano

Range: Bb2-Bb5-F6

Keke Wyatt is an best known for her underrated R&B vocals. As a woman who takes her vocals seriously, her voice type is subject to debate. 

Mezzo-Soprano

Keke’s extensive lower range can throw some people off. Being able to go very low does not make someone a mezzo-soprano, what we are looking for is comfort down low. Keke is very uncomfortable down low (Listen here), she often lowers her larynx to create some semblance of tone (Take a listen). People hear this and mistake it for comfort, when really there is little. Despite straining very low in her mix, she uses it with frequency and ease (phrased E5s, F5s, G5s, Bb5). She can easily phrase notes and sustain in the soprano range. The lack of development makes it harder for her to sing there, yet she has no issue, meaning she must be a soprano. 

Coloratura

Keke’s agility is an area that she shines in, yet that is not enough the earn the label of coloratura. The lyric coloratura soprano will have the lightest, brightest and highest voice. Keke’s timbre simply isn’t girly or bright enough to be a coloratura. She’s simply worked on her agility and developed it to a high standard. 

Spinto/Dramatic

Keke has been mistaken for a spinto or dramatoc numerous times. Her fuller voice tends to confuse some, but her timbre isn’t dark or metallic enough to be a spinto or dramatic. A dramatic will have a icy voice and Keke’s timbre is warm. In addition, a dramatic and spinto voice will carry more weight and have a bigger output than Keke’s. 

Full-Lyric

Keke’s voice is warm and light, yet full and womanly (Listen here). These are the traits of a full-lyric soprano.

Voice Type: Lyric Mezzo-Soprano

Range: G2-G#5-E6

I was prompted to create this after seeing an alarming amount of people calling Miley a coloratura contralto. Frightening. Miley is never far from controversy, but whether you like her or not, she is clearly very talented. She possess a distinctly low voice that sets her apart from her contemporaries, and causes much confusion over her voice type.

Alto

Miley may sing alto in a choir, but she simply cannot be one. Alto is a choral part, a melody that one sings. One cannot be a choral part, they can only sing it. Within the fach system (which is what we are using to classify Miley), there is no such thing as an alto. This is why it is impossible for Miley to be an alto.

Contralto

Firstly, contralto does exist within the fach system, so you can be one. Many believe that any woman with a low voice is an contralto. Most low voiced females are actually mezzo-sopranos. Why? In order to be a contralto, one must have a very specific vocal timbre. There voice must be androgynous. Yes, Miley’s voice is darker and lower than your typical woman, but without that masculinity she cannot be a contralto. It doesn’t matter how low a female can go, it all lies in timbre. Real contraltos would be Nina Simone and Cher. Compare them to Miley’s feminine voice and the difference will be clear.

Coloratura

Oddly enough, I have seen many people emphatically argue Miley is a coloratura contralto. We have established she isn’t a contralto, but why isn’t she a coloratura? Coloraturas will have the most agile voices of all. There is nothing overly agile about Miley’s voice. While agility can be learnt, Miley does not have a naturally light and flexible enough voice to be a coloratura.

Mezzo-Soprano

Miley is most certainly a mezzo. She harnesses her natural comfort down low, giving her an incredible low range. As a mezzo, she still possesses comfort in the lower 5th octave, and isn’t afraid to explore right up into the soprano range (We Can’t Stop, Take Care Of You). Like a typical mezzo, she has a more mature and thicker voice than a typical soprano.

Lyric

With mezzo-sopranos we have two main distinctions of lyric and dramatic. With a very warm, and at times bright voice, Miley is a lyric mezzo-soprano. 

Voice Type: Lyric Baritone

Range: F#2-A4-E5

I was inspired to create this after going to my friends house and few nights ago. I was chatting with my friend and next minute Troye and his family walks in (apparently my friend knows his family somehow). So I got to have dinner with Troye Sivan! He was very kind and humble, and it was great to meet him. Now onto his voice...

Tenor

Troye’s light voice has caused some to call him a tenor. While the weight of his voice might match that of a typical tenor, his tessitura doesn’t. Take the song Wild, it ranges from a G2-F4. The song hits some pretty low notes in the verses and then sticks to the lower 4th octave for the chorus. The highest note for the song is a mixed F4. If he were a tenor we would probably not see such low verses and a higher chorus. This general range can be found throughout his songs. A tenor would have more natural comfort up high and would be singing an F4 with ease, which Troye doesn’t, due to his lower tessitura. 

Baritone

Troye has a light, warm and manly timbre, perfectly matching that of a lyric baritone. His is most comfortable in the 3rd and lower 4th octaves, much like a baritone. Overall, Troye’s tessitura is clearly that of a baritone, and he showcases that not every baritone has to have an intensely dark and weighty voice.