how can i get my choir teacher to switch me back to being a soprano instead of an alto?

Question

i try out for this singing group early in the morning when my voice isnt warmed up yet.i have to sing this song w/ high notes but since it was early i couldnt go that high so i just sung on a low note.my teacher is like thats a pretty alto voice are u having trouble w/ the high notes or is it just b/c its early and im like its b/cits early.cuz in choir im the highest soprano and can actually hit all the notes.so then my teachers like well 2day sing w/ the altos and see how u like it and im like ok.so in choir i sing w/ them and then the next day i go back to the soprano part and hes like u sit over here and im like i thought that was just yesterday and hes like how did u like it and im like its2low and hes like its not that much lower.so hes made me into an alto.he knows im a soprano cuz ive had him for the last 5 years and he knows that i can sing high.even the other sopranos are like ur not an alto ur straining ur voice.wat can i do when he never listens2me telling him im not an alto

Answer 1

As a professional Opera Singer I can tell you he is wrong. The fact you can sing the low notes does not mean you can sing in the alto part. That is one of the reasons Voice Teachers recommend their students to not join any choir until they have a completely developed technique and range.

To sing in the wrong range (alto range in this case) can make you lose part of your high notes (high register)

I would recommend you to talk with this teacher and tell him you don't feel comfortable singing that low.

Many times Choir directors change singers to other sections because they need more "altos or tenors or what ever" They don't think or they don't know the damage they can cause in the singers voices.

Find a good voice teacher to work with your voice and find your real range. If you are a soprano you have two choices here:

1. Talk to your teacher and tell him you are a soprano and you can't sing in the alto section anymore.

2. Quit

Better to quit when you have voice enough to start developing a good and saety technique. Do not wait until your voice is damaged to quit.

I am a professional Opera Singer and a voice teacher also. I have had students singing in choirs in the wrong section. What I use to do is to send a note to the Choir Director explaying why he/she should change my student to the appropiate choir section. In many cases they follow my advice, but I have had a problem with two different choir directors with BIG EGOS and they told me clearly that I can't decide for them what is the best for their Choir.

My answer to that: I know what is the best for My student. So I give my students 2 choices:

1. They quit singing in the choir

2. I do not teach them

Why? I would not be resposible of the vocal damage this student will suffer singing in the wrong range. This vocal damage would be caused by the choir director and I will not be responsible for other people.

I hope you can find the courage to face this situation and do the best for your vocal instrument.

Read my Yahoo 360's blogs maybe you can find some answers there.

http://www.myspace.com/dorcacobian

Answer 2

Maybe the choir is in need of more altos?? I'm an alto, and I think it's harder to sing the alto part than the soprano- because the soprano so often carries the melody, and well, the accompaniment (sp?) usually uses a big part of the melody. Just go to your choir director and talk to him openly and honestly like you've done here. Good luck!!

Answer 3

Never audition when your voice isn't warm. If you have worked with the same teacher for 5 years, he knows your ability. His obligation is to place you in the part that best suits your voice. I get the feeling you want to be a soprano for some sort of status or pride reason. Big mistake. If you are truly convinced that you are a soprano, the easiest way to find out the truth is to audition for a professional who knows nothing about you. No matter what your natural voice range is, that is the part you should sing.

Answer 4

Honestly, your choir director probably put you on the alto part because he needed more altos. It'll be good for you, it will expand your range and help you sing a wider variety of music. When I was in high school, my voice teacher had me sing almost all alto songs, while I sang soprano in choir. That did wonders for my voice! It helped me improve my range while my voice became more flexible. So don't look at it as a bad thing. As a soprano who has sung alto, I can tell you that it will be good for you in the long run.

Answer 5

Well...you said yourself that before you warm up...it's easier for you to sing in a lower register...Even though you can reach high notes...NATURALLY, you're probably are an alto---A lot of people do not like to admit their natural range because their mentality is "If I sing higher, I sing better."...And, I personally don't find that the case...-- Or maybe it's like the person above said...and he didn't have enough altos...But if you really do find it difficult, I think you should stay an alto anyway...and take the challenge. Sooner or later, you'll be able to comfortably reach alto notes...And your range will expand.

For example...I can reach some pretty high notes--Last year, before he knew me...I was singing in a show, and he told me I was mezzo soprano...But naturally--before I warm up...I'm an alto...Actually, my teacher considered putting me as a tenor with the boys...(or alto arrow down--where you sing alto...and switch to tenor if theres an inbalance)...but instead...he put me alto arrow UP...so sometimes I shift to sing soprano...So, I'm at a happy medium...because I get to excercise some extensive parts of my range...And I think it's going to help me a lot in the long run.

Answer 6

I have the same problem but I got moved from alto to soprano, I am going to email him and list and the reasons why I should be an alto.

Answer 7

I have a similar problem. I'm in choir now. I can sing T2 or Baritone, but after 5 weeks of being with the tenors my choir professor switches me to the bass section. I'm having a harder time singing with the basses then the tenors. He tried me on baritone solo and I couldn't even get some of the high notes. What's happening?

Answer 8

just talk to her honestly as you wrote here. Courage!