Are sopranos quieter than altos?

Hi everyone,

I'm currently am writing a piece for choir and piano in Finale 2008, and it's going well, except I've noticed that the soprano parts are dramatically quieter than the alto parts, for instance if I were to write the same part in both clefs I'd have to write a mf for soprano and a p for alto in order to get the same volume level. Now I'm wondering if there is a reason for this, or if the soprano part was recorded too quiet or something. I've been compensating for it but would hate to find out that my dynamic markings were way off if I ever tried to get it performed. Thanks for your help! :)

Jackson

In real life, sopranos are much louder and much more annoying than altos.

Yes, chances are the soprano wasn't recorded the best.

You're not writing your piece for sound samples, so don't tailor your dynamics for them. It's as simple as that.

Hi everyone,

I'm currently am writing a piece for choir and piano in Finale 2008, and it's going well, except I've noticed that the soprano parts are dramatically quieter than the alto parts, for instance if I were to write the same part in both clefs I'd have to write a mf for soprano and a p for alto in order to get the same volume level. Now I'm wondering if there is a reason for this, or if the soprano part was recorded too quiet or something. I've been compensating for it but would hate to find out that my dynamic markings were way off if I ever tried to get it performed. Thanks for your help! :)

Jackson

Because we all know Finale sounds exactly like real instruments/voices.

Hi everyone,

I'm currently am writing a piece for choir and piano in Finale 2008, and it's going well, except I've noticed that the soprano parts are dramatically quieter than the alto parts, for instance if I were to write the same part in both clefs I'd have to write a mf for soprano and a p for alto in order to get the same volume level. Now I'm wondering if there is a reason for this, or if the soprano part was recorded too quiet or something. I've been compensating for it but would hate to find out that my dynamic markings were way off if I ever tried to get it performed. Thanks for your help! :)

Jackson

First off, dont write for the sample sounds in finale, they are lies. None of the samples in Finale tell the truth about instruments.

Second, in real life the volume of your sopranos and altos well depend on who is singing it. I have been in choirs where the Alto dominated the girls sections (such a case was the performance of my womens choir piece). however they were only dominate because they all learned the part and showed up for the performance, unlike the sopranos who didnt show up for rehearsals and were missing a girl. Most situations, sopranos sing louder then altos, mainly due to where the sopranos sing in there range. You can over come this by how you balance the parts and how well your singers can take directions.

Okay, thanks a lot guys, you've been helpful. :)

Jackson

In real life, sopranos are much louder and much more annoying than altos.QUOTE]

AGREED!

:thumbsup: :P