What is Chest Voice?

This is part one of a three-part series exploring chest voice, head voice, and mix (or mixed) voice.

There are a lot of terms in the singing world that can often be misunderstood or are not explained well. Chest voice is one that will come up frequently that you should know when it comes to singing. Let’s go over what part it plays with your voice. 

Do you feel the vibrations?

That’s your chest voice. When you sing with it, it will have the same qualities as your speaking voice.

Chest voice is associated with the lower register of your voice. It’s the voice we use when we speak or when we yell.

Most people feel the sympathetic vibrations in the chest, which is why it’s called chest voice.

If the chest voice isn’t strong enough, then your voice will be breathy, and lack power and intensity.

Now, keep in mind, everyone’s voice is different! Tori Kelly has a lighter and brighter sounding chest voice than Adele, for example. One isn’t necessarily better than the other. They are both unique and well-developed.

How do we produce chest voice?

These muscles are inside the vocal folds, and they shorten and thicken vocal folds.

They are primarily associated with our lower register and are dominant in the production of chest voice.

Next week we will explore head voice!