Analyzing Taylor Swift's Vocal Range - Yona Marie

What's Taylor Swift's Voice Type?

Taylor Swift is an extremely popular alto (AKA mezzo) singer that has a very impressive lower range and upper range for a pop star.

She has a unique mix of rich dark notes and a bright upper range, which is why many people classify her as a light lyric soprano that has the capability of an alto.

Since she is most comfortable singing in her alto range, I believe she should be classified as such.

How Many Octaves Can Taylor Swift Sing?

Taylor's vocal range is around three octaves, from a low A2 to an E5. Her high notes are mostly done in her head voice instead of belts in her chest voice, which are more commonly performed in her lower register.

Taylor practices pretty good transitions between these two registers regularly. She may have stretched beyond the notes in this range in her live performance adlibs and key changes. 

How Low Can Taylor Swift Sing?

Taylor can sing lower than most pop stars, with notes lower than a low C at an A2. Most singers wouldn't dare to try to sing below a C or a D, with very airy low Cs that can barely be heard.

Her low Cs are rich, with an A2 that is a bit airy, but you can still hear it's there. An example is shown in her song "Cruel Summer" where she sings a section an octave above and below on a nice A2 and A3. 

Related Post: Best Songs For Altos To Sing

How High Can Taylor Swift Sing?

While Taylor Swift is most comfortable in her middle to low range, she often pulls out an impressive belt in her higher range.

She lets out an E5 belt pretty often, as seen in the example above with her duet with ZAYN on "I Don’t Wanna Live Forever".

She has a great belt inside the studio, and you can find many live performances with her sustaining a powerful E5 as well!

The interesting thing about Taylor's songwriting choices for her higher range is that she doesn't go above an E5, even with her head voice.

She doesn't attempt to sing very high notes in her whistle tone register, although her classification as a light lyric soprano/alto should allow her to do so with some practice and training.

It's not like she needs it because her high belts do wonders for her song's energy, but it's very intriguing that she doesn't go slightly above E5 in a head voice because I think she could. 

Related Post: Best Vocal Amps For Singing Performances

Other Highlights Of Taylor Swift's Voice Range

Expressiveness

Taylor's voice is highly expressive, conveying a wide range of emotions in her performances.

She has a knack for infusing her vocals with sincerity and vulnerability, evoking empathy and resonating with her audience. Her ability to emote through her voice adds depth and authenticity to her music.

Falsetto

Taylor Swift's upper register and falsetto range are particularly notable. She can effortlessly reach high notes with clarity and precision, displaying a captivating sweetness and ethereal quality.

Songs like "Anti-Hero" showcase her skill in utilizing her upper register and falsetto to create memorable and captivating vocal moments.

Control and Dynamics

Taylor exhibits excellent control over her voice, allowing her to navigate through various dynamics and deliver nuanced performances.

She can effortlessly switch between soft, delicate tones and more powerful, energetic moments. This versatility in dynamics enhances the emotional impact of her songs, capturing listeners' attention.

How Has Taylor's Vocal Range Changed Over The Years? 

Many have complained about Taylor Swift's pitch accuracy and brightness (nasal sound) in her live performances.

Over the years, it seems that she has been actively working to improve her vocal ability with less pitchiness. It's important to note that pitchiness is expected in performances for most artists, with many aiming for around 80-90% accuracy. 

Related Posts About Popular Singers And Their Vocal Range:

Beyonce's Vocal Range

Whitney Houston's Vocal Range

Ariana Grande's Vocal Range

Demi Lovato's Vocal Range