Falsetto

Categories: Singing | Voice registers

Falsetto (fall-SET-oh) is a singing technique that produces sounds that are pitched higher than the singer's normal range. It can also mean an artificially-raised speaking pitch. This often occurs momentarily, if repeatedly, in males during puberty as their voice changes. The break between voice registers, audible or not, is called the passaggio.

Falsetto is employed through the expansion and separation of vocal cords, in which case, only the edges of the vocal cord vibrate, not the entire vocal cord.

The falsetto register was used by male countertenors to sing in the alto range, before women were allowed to sing in choirs, and occasionally by early music specialists today. It is also used by many male vocalists to produce their over-the-top soaring vocals:

Falsettos were also prominent lead singers in soul music groups, including:

Perhaps the most famous falsetto singers in pop are Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees, Michael Jackson and Prince.

Alanis Morissette is an example of a well-known female singer who employs falsetto, in the opening chords of "Ironic" for example, as well as in the songs "One", and "Can't Not." Many people consider women, because of their physical differences from males, to not have or be capable of falsetto. However, many female singers, such as Mariah Carey, do employ falsetto to extend their range. Female singers can also reach the whistle register, but men too have this capability, although it is more rare.

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Pop culture

Chico Marx, never one to miss a "punning" situation, had this bit of dialogue in Horse Feathers, in his patented fake Italian accent, while accompanying a music student singing scales:

Thelma Todd (singing up-and-down): ah-ah-ah-AH-ah-ah-ah.
Chico: You sing a-high, huh?
Thelma: Yes, I have a falsetto voice.
Chico: 'At's a-funny; my last pupil, she had a false set o' teeth!
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See also

fr:Fausset pl:Falset