Few questions about Voice writing

Hey all, if anyone can help me I would be very appreciative :)

1: What are the ranges for the 4 Main voices? (Tenor, Alto, Soprano, Bass)

2: What is the suggested maximum amount of time a specific section can hold a single note? (In tempo of 86 bps, and 120 bps)

3: What are the standard number of singers for each section in a full choir?

4: When writing for a Men's choir, how many singers for each section is the standard amount?

5: Are there any big no-nos in writing for voice?

Any help would be appreciated :D

Hey all, if anyone can help me I would be very appreciative :)

1: What are the ranges for the 4 Main voices? (Tenor, Alto, Soprano, Bass)

Ranges are all rather variable, depending different issues such as size of chorus and professional level of chorus. However, a vague generalization:

Soprano: middle C to the Bb two octaves up is quite safe. lower notes are possible, and higher as well, though the level of your chorus comes into play here much more (which is the same for all voices). A good professional chorus should have a few sopranos capable of a high C. It is NOT a "standard" note for choral singers.

Alto: F below middle C is safe, and again, depending on the chorus, etc... High notes for altos are more problematic. I would generally not write higher than the E, 4th space. Some choral section altos can go higher, and some actually can't.

Tenor: avoid the low register of the tenors, it's not their "good side". Middle C (treble clef writing for tenors, sounds one octave lower) as a safe but "generally to be avoided" low end, to a high Bb. Higher notes are NOT normally expected of choral singers, unless they are singing falsetto. Falsetto can not be sung very loudly, so higher notes should be lightly accompanied.

Bass: Generally, expect the F below the bass clef to be comfortable, with notes down to Eb possible for most basses, but not generally very strong/loud. Remember that the Bass voice is divided into two distinct categories - Bass and Baritone. Baritone should probably not be used lower than the G (bottom line, bass clef). High end, the basses should be able to reach the E above the bass clef, while the baritones should have a G a third higher still.

Remember that these ranges are quite dependant on the age of your singers, the level of training, the professionalism of the chorus, etc...

2: What is the suggested maximum amount of time a specific section can hold a single note? (In tempo of 86 bps, and 120 bps)

A large chorus (100+) can hold any note for as long as you want it. They just stagger the breathing without it showing. A smaller chorus (10-20) can do it as well, but it's a little trickier, since the individual voices tend to come out a little more clearly in the smaller chorus than the large.

3: What are the standard number of singers for each section in a full choir?

There is no "standard".

There are generally more women than men.

Generally more sopranos than altos.

Generally more baritones/basses than tenors.

It's normal to divide the sopranos while not dividing the altos, and the basses and baritones each can get their line while the tenors remain undivided. However, again, this depends on the size of the chorus. If you are writing for a 100+ chorus, that makes 60+ women's voices and 40+ men's.

4: When writing for a Men's choir, how many singers for each section is the standard amount?

There IS no standard... gotta knock that into your head hehehe :D

5: Are there any big no-nos in writing for voice?

yes.

- writing as though you were writing for an orchestral section.

- plaCING the emPHAsis on THE wrong sylLAble.

- overly complex writing where the lyrics get lost (unless that is specifically the effect wanted).

- Relying over-much on the order of the voices - S-A-T-B. It's normal for the tenors to sing parts of lines where the notes overlap the alto section. Think of tenors as a melodic line. The same for the baritones... they CAN have the melody/thematic material.

There IS no standard... gotta knock that into your head hehehe :D

Hehe, I guess I will :)

Thanks for taking the time to respond so in depth Qccowboy :D

Much appreciated

that's some great advice Qc, you should think about maybe wikifying it, some very useful stuff there.

Definately! Great help...

wikifying??? HAHAHA!!!