Bass
In singing, the bass (or basso) is the low male voice and the lowest of all six voice types. A bass is typically classified by a vocal range extending two octaves from around the second E below middle C to the E above middle C (E2–E4). The tessitura, or comfortable range, is normally defined by the outermost lines of the bass clef.
The deep, booming sound of the bass seems to come from dark caverns and the bass is usually called to perform the roles of kings, priests, fathers/grandfathers, gods, and Satan.
Some pop singers are basses, although the vocal subcategories used in opera are not applied to them. Examples include Barry White, Isaac Hayes, Thurl Ravenscroft, William Warfield, Harold Reid, Vladamir Miller, Burman Porter, Gary Miller, Wes McKinzie, Tim Duncan, Robert C Guy, Duane Adams, Gary Evans, Richard Sterban, Eric Bennett, George Younce, Christian Davis, Mike Holcomb, Jeff Pearles, Tim Storms, JD Sumner, and Steve Cross.
The deep, booming sound of the bass seems to come from dark caverns and the bass is usually called to perform the roles of kings, priests, fathers/grandfathers, gods, and Satan.
Some pop singers are basses, although the vocal subcategories used in opera are not applied to them. Examples include Barry White, Isaac Hayes, Thurl Ravenscroft, William Warfield, Harold Reid, Vladamir Miller, Burman Porter, Gary Miller, Wes McKinzie, Tim Duncan, Robert C Guy, Duane Adams, Gary Evans, Richard Sterban, Eric Bennett, George Younce, Christian Davis, Mike Holcomb, Jeff Pearles, Tim Storms, JD Sumner, and Steve Cross.
In popular music, there is not much attention paid to the bass. In classical music, basses are prized.
Based on vocal weight and voice type, basses can be further divided into the following subcategories:
Basso cantante: a light, lyrical voice suited to smooth, sweet singing. Usually in Italian and French opera; the closest German and English equivalent is the bass-baritone.
Basso-buffo: "buffoon bass", comes in both lyric and dramatic weight, but generally this deep, flexible voice is usually used for comical roles.
Basso-profondo: "deep bass", comes in lyric an dramatic weight, and is the lowest, darkest bass. Usually reserved for serious, elegant roles. Examples include Feodor Chaliapin, Maxim Mikhailov, Martti Talvela, Matti Salminen, Kurt Moll, an Kurt Rydl.
Based on vocal weight and voice type, basses can be further divided into the following subcategories:
Basso cantante: a light, lyrical voice suited to smooth, sweet singing. Usually in Italian and French opera; the closest German and English equivalent is the bass-baritone.
Basso-buffo: "buffoon bass", comes in both lyric and dramatic weight, but generally this deep, flexible voice is usually used for comical roles.
Basso-profondo: "deep bass", comes in lyric an dramatic weight, and is the lowest, darkest bass. Usually reserved for serious, elegant roles. Examples include Feodor Chaliapin, Maxim Mikhailov, Martti Talvela, Matti Salminen, Kurt Moll, an Kurt Rydl.
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