How to Become a Soprano When You're an Alto (for Females)

Last Updated: September 15, 2021 References

Nobody likes getting stuck in a rut, but vocal range is rarely a rut! If you are unhappy with the parts you always get assigned, but you can't sustain the notes well enough to sing a different part. You should be able to teach yourself some easy vocal techniques to expand your range. Usually, you will be adding notes to your natural range, in other words, you will develop the ability to sing both alto and soprano, but sometimes you just need to stop singing one in favor of the other, at least until your singing muscles adapt. Just keep in mind that if you can't sing soprano, its ok everyone has a different vocal range. Let's find out how!

Steps

1
Try to alter your normal speaking range. Listen carefully as you speak during the course of the first day. When we don't pay good attention to how we use our speaking voices, we usually default to our lower registers. To increase your range upwards, add a "lilt" to you speaking style, or you might mimic the voice of a person younger than yourself, or you could even pretend to yourself that you're in a very happy, giddy mood. Use whatever works to get yourself to speak in overall higher tones.^{[1]
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2
Start working on your singing while speaking in a "higher voice", if you can. If you know how to do vocal exercises, start creeping up the scale a little every day. However, if you usually just sing regular songs, pick a song that is just a little uncomfortably high for you, and limit yourself to singing it gently and softly about 3 times per day. Remember that voices are made of muscle, and it will take time to teach your muscles a new trick.^{[2]
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3
Avoid singing the low notes for a while during the adjustment process. Try not to lose your lower notes completely, but don't practice them too much, as that will strain your already hard-working new muscles.
4
Ask to be moved from the alto section of the choir or group to the 2nd soprano parts. That's the lowest voiced sopranos, and a good place to start.
5
Start singing high notes until eventually you can hit them.^{[3]
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Community Q&A

Question

How do I increase my range?

Community Answer

You can do vocal exercises every day, and keep pushing for higher notes. Make sure it comes from your diaphragm, or else it won't work as effectively.
Question

How do I know if I'm hitting the notes?

Community Answer

Install a voice tuner app on your phone or tablet. Make sure its accurate.
Question

How can I keep from being embarrassed by my ability to sing tenor as a female?

Community Answer

That's not embarrassing! I know several females (myself included) who can sing tenor parts, and in musical theater, it comes in handy more often than you think. Just think of it as a wider vocal range.

Warnings

If you get a cold, take a rest from the transition work. Be kind to your throat muscles by giving them a rest - it really won't set you back any.

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Protect your voice. If you go to a sports event, amusement park, or any other time when you would find yourself screaming and laughing a a lot, especially outdoors, take at least a 2 week rest afterwards to let your voice box recover.

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You'll need to drink more water and less soda pop during this transition (soft drinks contain quite a bit of salt). The vocal chords need lots of "lubrication from within", and under stress, need even more. You can actually develop a vocal "node" during this process, which may prevent you from singing for months if it's a bad one.^{[5]
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