Chapter 8: Registration
McCoy mentions three important elements for the definition of a register: 1) A register is composed of contiguous pitches, 2) Pitches within any given register are produced in the same physiological manner, and 3) Pitches within any given register share the same basic timbre. The two primary factors that help determine register differentiation are glottal source configuration and resonance. He also discusses the two main options for glottal source mode, which are chest voice (mode 1) and head voice (mode 2). Chest voice involves using the thyroarytenoid muscles to thicken the vocal folds. In head voice, phonation is dependent on contraction of the cricothyroid muscles that elongate and thin the vocal folds. In female voices, mode 1 is used for belt and lower parts of the range, and mode 2 is used to access higher notes. However, most female singers have a range in both modes that can overlap. In male voices, mode 1 is almost exclusively used throughout the range. Mode 2 is used for extremely high voices (like countertenors or male sopranos) or as a stylistic choice. As voice teachers, it is important for us to know about register differentiation to help us meet the needs of our students voices. For example, if we try to teach a mezzo-soprano as if they are a soprano, we could accidentally damage their voice and make singing a difficult activity for them. Some students may have trouble determining their register, making it important for us to help guide them towards the healthy discovery of their voice.
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