Range

• A man with a typical tenor voice has a wide range of vocal ability. The typical range for a tenor voice is between the C one octave below middle C and the C one octave above middle C. The tenor singer can also sing alto lines using a falsetto voice, which is the high part above the “break” in the voice. Some tenor voices may be able to reach the low part of the baritone voice and transition between the two parts.
  
  

Sound

• Most tenor voices have a high, bright sound. Many men that sing in the tenor range must sing the highest notes with a high volume of sound. Otherwise, the man is often unable to reach the top notes in the tenor range. In the lower notes, a tenor male’s voice may start to sound muddy and strained. Some tightness of voice may be identified in the higher notes, if the man with the tenor voice has a lower tenor voice.
  
  

Roles

• Since the tenor voice is so bright and cheerful-sounding, many of the main character roles in operas and musicals go to men with tenor voices. Tenor males are also often used in choruses and have a variety of roles to choose from, differing from the comic role to the dramatic role to the romantic lead. Tenor voices are often used in pop music as well, as they are pleasant to listen to.
  
  

Types

• There are several names for different tonalities of the tenor voice. The counter tenor has the highest range, and often can sing the female parts in a piece of music, if necessary. The lyric tenor has a melodic voice that is soothing to hear. The Spinto tenor is like the lyric tenor, but has the ability to put more emotion in the singing. The buffo tenor has a high voice with a funny accent, often used for Broadway-style music. The dramatic tenor has a deeper, fuller voice than the lyric tenor. The Helden tenor has the lowest range, and can switch between tenor and baritone voices.