How to choose a good song for your voice: considering range, registration, and style

Updated 6/3/2024

By Camille van Niekerk

A few weeks ago, I came across this video of Alicia Keys and Billie Eilish performing “Ocean Eyes."

Many commenters have already noted that Alicia does not sound her best on this song.

But why?

Alicia Keys is a professional vocalist - can’t she sing anything? 

Knowing how to sing is the goal.

And within that, it's important to know how to choose a good song to fit your individual voice.

Alicia Keys is incredible within her style, just as Billie is incredible within hers.

You truly can’t compare them, nor should you ever have to!

They have unique voices with different strengths, and they’ve both found their wheelhouse. 

Do you know which songs and styles are a good fit for your voice?

Let's unpack this.

Sing and Find Out

If you’re taking beginner singing lessons, here’s one way to figure out if a song is a good fit with your voice:

1. Choose a song you like.

2. Sing along with the original artist to learn the melody. 

3. Check to make sure you’re singing the correct pitches with Smule (or another karaoke app with pitch analysis). 

4. Record yourself and listen back. 

If you were able to match the pitch, general tone and style of the original, that song is a good fit for you!

We like to call this the 'sing and find out' strategy.

Simply sing tunes you enjoy, then figure out if they are technically a good fit for you after the fact.

This is a great approach if you are just trying to have some fun and aren't too concerned if a particular song is causing strain.

Singing is about joy!

Sometimes it's best to keep the analysis for another day.

The other approach to finding songs that fit your singing abilities is to understand some technical aspects first, then find songs that fit those aspects.

Let me explain.

You can increase your chances of picking a good song easily by choosing a singer whose voice type (soprano, mezzo, alto, tenor, baritone or bass) is similar to yours.

Determine Your Vocal Range

How do we determine your vocal range?

It's easy, all you'll need is a keyboard or a tuner app.

First, we’re looking for your lowest comfortable note.

Sing as low as you comfortably can and write down that note.

Then, your highest comfortable note.

Sing as high as you comfortably can and write down that note.

Once you have those notes, you have your vocal range.

Compare your range to a vocal range chart (like the one above) and you'll know what your vocal range is called.

There you have it!

Our friends at Singing Carrots have a great vocal range finder tool that's worth a  try.

Once you know your range, Google other singers who have the same range as you and start learning their songs.

Where’s The Break? 

In addition to your current singable range, take note of where your passaggio is.

Your passaggio is the pitch or range in which your voice transitions from one register to the next.

Like your head voice vs chest voice.

For most singers, this will present itself as a “crack”, “yodel”, or “break.”

Locating your passaggio will help you realistically choose songs based on your desired tone and register.

For example, let's say a melody contains a low G3 and a high D5.

This may be within your overall range, but that’s not the only consideration.

You also need to know how those pitches sound, and whether you can recreate a similar sound.

A particular singer might singing that D5 with a strong “mixed” coordination, so it sounds more like chest voice.

Many singers can easily sing a D5, but they may only be comfortable singing that pitch in head voice, which naturally has a lighter, brighter tone than chest or mixed voice.

All this is to say, the actial notes themselves are only one consideration to determine if a song is right for you.

I can’t belt that high note. Am I doomed?

A song requiring a high belt (in either chest or mixed voice) is very challenging.

Beginning singers can easily hurt themselves trying to push for those high notes.

If you’re in this boat, you have a few options:

1. Search for a lower karaoke track (as long as you can hit the low notes in the new, lower key)

2. Use different register than the original (for example, use head voice instead of belting and make it a stylistic choice)

3. Put this song on the shelf (for now) and choose an easier one!

Once you’ve developed mixed coordination, you won’t need to work around your passaggio quite as much.

But for someone taking beginner vocal lessons, it’s stressful to constantly be crossing that register break,

If you want to avoid shifting between registers until you’ve built your “mixed” coordination, choose songs with a smaller range so you can sing the entire melody within one vocal register.

"Tonal Models"

Another great approach is to identify artists you already know you can sing along with easily.

Those singers can serve as tonal models for you, as you develop your tone and style.

You may struggle to think of singers you sound like.

But keep that question in mind as you listen to different artists.

Take note of those that feel like a more natural fit than others.

Listen for singers with -

(1) a similar range to yours

(2) a tone quality that’s easy for you to recreate

Look through their song lists when searching for new songs to learn.

Explore similar artists on Spotify/Pandora. 

One-Octave Songs

Below is a great list of songs that only span one octave.

So they are perfect songs to learn when just starting out with singing lessons.

And if they aren't exactly in your key, shift them higher or lower so they fit into your proper register.

Change the key as needed to suit your voice by looking for an existing track on YouTube (search “higher”, “lower”, “male key”, etc) or purchasing a customized karaoke track at Karaoke Version.

NOTE - A few songs on this list technically span a ninth (or an octave plus one whole-step), but they will still be doable for most beginning singers.

“Ain’t no sunshine” (Bill Withers)

“All Star” (Smash Mouth)

“All the small things” (Blink 182)

“Angel from Montgomery” (Bonnie Raitt)

“Bad Moon Rising” (Credence Clearwater Revival)

“Bubbly” (Colbie Caillat)

“Chasing Cars” (Snow Patrol)

“Da Doo Run Run” (The Crystals)

“Drops of Jupiter” (Train)

“Eight Days a Week” (The Beatles)

“Fields of Gold” (Sting)

“Girls just wanna have fun” (Greg Laswell cover, originally by Cyndi Lauper)

“Happy” (Pharrell Williams)

“Heart of Gold” (Neil Young)

“Hey Jude” (The Beatles)

“Hotel California” (Eagles)

“I can see clearly now” (Johnny Nash)

“I guess I just feel like” (John Mayer)

“I love rock n roll” (Joan Jett)

“I will follow you into the dark” (Death Cab for Cutie)

“I’m Yours” (Jason Mraz)

“I’ve just seen a face” (The Beatles)

“If I ever leave this world alive” (Flogging Molly)

“Let Her Go” (Passenger)

“Let it go” (James Bay)

“Losing my religion” (R.E.M.)

“Love yourself” (Justin Bieber)

“Make you feel my love” (Bob Dylan)

“Mamma Mia” (ABBA)

“Mr. Brightside” (The Killers)

“Riptide” (Vance Joy)

“Say my name” (Destiny’s Child)

“Shotgun” (George Ezra)

“Should I stay or should I go” (The Clash)

“Sittin on the dock of the bay” (Otis Redding)

“Take it on the run” (REO Speedwagon)

“Take me home, country roads” (John Denver)

“The Middle” (Jimmy Eat World)

“This is the life” (Amy Macdonald)

“Wagon Wheel” (Darius Rucker)

“Walk the line” (Johnny Cash)

“Wind of Change” (Scorpions)

“You belong to me” (Carla Bruni)

“You know I’m no good” (Amy Winehouse)

“Your heart is as black as night” (Melodie Gardot)

For song suggestions within your range, visit SingingCarrots.com.

Love For Low Voices

Many beginning singers struggle with the high notes they hear from singers like Adam Levine, Ariana Grande, and Brendon Urie.

These singers, in addition to having years of training and well-developed mixed coordination, have naturally higher ranges.

See below for some fantastic lower-voiced singers, if you are an alto, baritone, or bass.

Also, check out our post on the best karaoke songs for low voices.

Lower-voiced female singers:

Allison Moyet

Amy Winehouse

Annie Lennox

Diana Krall

Dua Lipa

Etta James

Fiona Apple

Grace Jones

Helen Shapiro

Janis Joplin

Joan Jett

Karen Carpenter

Lalah Hathaway

Lana Del Rey

Miley Cyrus

Nina Simone

Peggy Lee

Shakira

Shania Twain

Stevie Nicks

Toni Braxton

Tracy Chapman

Lower-voiced male singers:

Anthony Kiedis (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

Barry White

Beck

Bing Crosby

Bruce Springsteen

Cat Stevens

Darius Rucker

David Bowie

Dean Martin

Eddie Vedder

Elvis Presley

Frank Sinatra

George Ezra

James Blake

John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival)

John Legend

John Lennon

John Mayer

Johnny Cash

Luther Vandross

Matt Berninger (The National)

Michael Buble’

Mick Jagger

Randy Travis

Ringo Starr

Serj Tankian

And finally, if you’re a higher-voiced female singer who doesn’t belt, see below for some sopranos who use a lot of head voice in their sound:

Alison Krauss

Ashanti

Aurora

Billie Eilish

Birdy

Björk

Blossom Dearie

Ellie Goulding

Ingrid Michaelson

Joan Baez

Kate Bush

Lily Allen

Regina Spektor

Tori Amos

Finding your “wheelhouse” takes time and a lot of experimentation.

Listen to music from different genres and eras, and find the styles that help you sound and feel your best when you sing.

FAQ

How do I know which song suits my voice?

Experiment with different songs and see which ones feel comfortable and natural to sing. Pay attention to the range, style, and how well you can express yourself while singing them.

What is the best song to show off your voice?

Choose a song that highlights your strengths, whether that's your range, power, or emotional expression. It should be something you feel confident and comfortable performing.

How to choose vocals for a song?

Match your vocal range and style to the song's requirements. Ensure the song's key and tempo suit your voice and allow you to showcase your best qualities.

How do I select a song to sing?

Pick a song you love and connect with, and make sure it fits within your vocal range. Consider the audience and the occasion, too, to make the best choice.

How to find the right song for you to sing?

Experiment with various genres and artists to see what resonates with you. Take note of songs that you enjoy singing and that others respond positively to.

How do you identify a song to sing?

Try singing along with different songs and see which ones feel effortless and enjoyable. Pay attention to the feedback from others as well.

How do I know my real singing voice?

Your real singing voice is the one that feels the most natural and comfortable when you sing without straining. Recording yourself and getting feedback from others can help you identify it.

How can I tell I can sing?

If you can stay on pitch, follow the rhythm, and your singing sounds pleasant to you and others, you likely have the ability to sing. Getting feedback from a vocal coach can also help.

How do you know what type of songs I can sing?

Explore different genres and see which ones suit your vocal range and style. Notice which types of songs feel most comfortable and enjoyable for you to sing.

Which voice do I sing?

Sing with your natural voice, the one that feels the most comfortable and requires the least effort. It's important to stay true to your unique sound and not try to mimic someone else.