Is falsetto singing real singing?

Question

think of how the Bee Gees sing, very high pitched and you can't hear the actual words of the lyrics clearly or crisply-thats falsetto, is this a 'proper' way of singing?-I know Justin Timberlake and Mika also use this style although it most often used by backing singers, everyone says I have a great voice but I know it's falsetto-does this mean I can't be a professional singer?

Answer 1

falsetto is considered only part of the singing voice.
there are four categories: vocal fry which is lowest and slowest. It's called so because it reminded whoever made up the name of something popping and crackling in the frying pan.
Next is modal, or normal voice register.
After that is falsetto. the name itself gives you an indication of how the old Ialian masters thought of it: false.
At the very top, whistle register. Men generally don't get that high, as the tones are almost off the regular piano keyboard.
Using that high light register was very popular in the Baroque period. As a matter of fact, tenors didn't start using their normal, modal, full voice for high notes until about the 1850s. It was considered bestial, gross, and not fit for fine ladies to hear.
( What would we do without those ringing high notes today?) Falsetto has enjoyed a revival in pop music, as you mentioned the BeeGees, because it doesn't cost as much physical work to produce as full voice up top does. Also, full voice up top is difficult to mike properly without causing intense pain to the listeners. The energy involved in a voice up that high can feel like it goes literally right through you. and then to mike it? Ouch.
I can''t answer you about proper or improper. It seems to be very popular now, so somebody out there is happy with it...
If you decide to go out on the market with falsetto, then be aware, fashions change.

Answer 2

Falsetto is merely using a part of the vocal chords. As long as you can carry a tune, yes it's still considered real singing. The problem is that most backup singers DON'T use Falsetto as a regular form of singing, only in those situations where it is called for by the director. If you only sing Falsetto, you will not be considered for many backup jobs. The best voice for backup singing is the MOST versatile, not the least versatile.

FYI, Frankie Valli was not singing falsetto, he has what was considered an "Irish Tenor" range, very high.

Answer 3

Yes. Falsetto singing is real singing. Just like having a whistle voice is the same as singing. You just have to learn how to control both of them.

Answer 4

sure its real singing. of course in the hoity toity world of Opera it's a no no. but i accept it as singing because so many popular and amateur singers have sung it well going back to tin pan alley in the 1920's and probably before. In the classical/fine art music(lol)/ opera singing world I don't see how male counter tenors can sing without using the falsetto technique. the sound hilarious, like those monty python skits when the guys were dressed as women and discussing this that and the other thing, lol

Answer 5

You wanna hear some falsetto? Frankie Valli will school you.
Justin Timberlake is a no-good-going-nowhere-wannabe-little-fag-boy. Do not waste your time or money on that prick.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

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Answer 8

Hi there, just wanted to say, I liked this discussion. very valuable answers

Answer 9

it doesn't matter if it's "proper" or not. the only thing that matters is if people will want to listen to it or not.