What Are Vocal Registers? Understanding Chest, Head, and Everything In Between

naturavocestudio
Aug 12
3 min read

If you’ve ever wondered what the difference is between chest voice and head voice — or heard terms like “mix” or “falsetto” thrown around — you’re not alone!

At Nova Voice Studio, one of the first things we help singers explore is vocal registration — the different gears your voice moves through as you sing low to high.

Knowing your registers is key to:

Expanding your range
Singing with control and consistency
Eliminating vocal breaks or “cracks”
Feeling more confident in your unique voice

Let’s break it down 👇

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Chest Voice (a.k.a. Lower Register)

What it sounds/feels like:

Strong, full, and connected
Resonates in your chest and throat
Similar to your speaking voice

You use chest voice for lower pitches — it’s the foundation of most pop, rock, and belt singing.

Think: Adele, Aretha Franklin, Sam Smith (in their lower notes).

🧠 Why it matters:

This is your “power zone.” Training your chest voice builds vocal strength and stamina.

🌬️

Head Voice (a.k.a. Upper Register)

What it sounds/feels like:

Lighter, airy or floaty
Resonates in your head or face
Often used in classical and legit musical theatre styles

It’s what you hear when someone sings high without belting.

Think: Julie Andrews, Sarah McLachlan, or a soaring Disney princess moment.

🧠 Why it matters:

Head voice gives you range, flexibility, and access to beautiful high notes — and it’s not the same as falsetto!

🌀

Mix Voice (a.k.a. Middle Register)

What it sounds/feels like:

A blend of chest and head qualities
Strong but not heavy
Smooth, flexible, and sustainable

Think of mix voice as the bridge between chest and head.

It’s what lets you sing high with strength without yelling.

Think: Sara Bareilles, Cynthia Erivo, Ben Platt, Ariana Grande.

🧠 Why it matters:

Mixing helps eliminate vocal breaks and gives you versatility across genres — especially for musical theatre, pop, and crossover singing.

🪶

Falsetto

What it sounds/feels like:

Airy, light, and sometimes breathy
Less connected than head voice
Often heard in male singers, especially in pop, R&B, or choral work

Think: Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars, the Bee Gees.

🧠 Why it matters:

Falsetto can be a stylistic choice — and learning to control it gives you more texture and emotional options.

🧠

Other Registers You May Hear About:

Vocal Fry: That gravelly, creaky sound at the bottom of your range (used in speech or stylistic effects)
Whistle Register: The super high notes above head voice (think Mariah Carey!)
Sob/Opera/Bel Canto Quality Registers: More genre-specific, but related to resonance and vocal placement