Head Voice vs Chest Voice: What's the Difference?

When learning how to sing, understanding the difference between chest voice and head voice is essential to developing your vocal range. 

Your chest voice is the register we typically use for speaking, covering the lower notes in your vocal range. It’s the voice you use when you're speaking casually or calling out to someone from far away, and it often feels like the vibrations are coming from your chest. For example, try saying, "Hey, you guys!" and notice how it resonates in your body. In this register, the vocal folds are thicker, which helps produce those deep, resonant tones. The chest voice allows you to sing lower notes more efficiently, much like how a car shifts gears when speeding up or slowing down.

On the other hand, head voice is used for higher notes and is often less intuitive for people, especially males. It can feel harder to access, but with practice, it’s possible to build a strong and stable head voice. Head voice vibrations tend to be felt in your head or throat, and the vocal folds are thinner, helping produce higher, more resonant tones. You can practice this by imitating a hooting owl sound like "Woo, woo!" The head voice might feel strange or even silly at first, but it’s important to be patient and open-minded as you develop it.

For singers, understanding which register is dominant in your voice will help determine your voice type. For instance, basses and altos typically sing more in chest voice, while sopranos favor head voice. Try paying attention to your favorite singers and see if they lean more towards chest voice, head voice, or a mix of both. This practice will help you better understand your own voice and vocal technique.