Yesterday, we had voice checks for parts in my school women's chorus (we divide into SSA). I have been singing 1st Soprano my entire life, but yesterday I couldn't reach the F/G (an octave above the one after middle C), and I used to be able to reach up to an A. However, my voice was really dry yesterday because I hadn't brought water to the rehearsal.

Anyway, right now I am singing 2nd Soprano, and I really don't have a problem with that. However, people talk a lot about voice changes these days, and I'm wondering if, as a female, I go through voice changes. Can I just not reach the high notes anymore?

Hi Pianomistress92

First, don't worry. Everyone's voice has days when the top notes work and days when they don't (I'm sure Andante-in-C will confirm later that I demonstrated this myself yesterday ).

Secondly, I wonder if you warmed up before your voice test - if you didn't, this may be why the top end of your range wasn't there. My top five or six reliable notes are only reliable once my voice is properly warmed up.

Thirdly, yes not having water may have contributed - it's always sensible to have some with you when you sing.

And finally, welcome to the wonderful world of Second Soprano - it's a much more fun part to sing.

Cheers

Katyjay

I will confirm it, but I won't tell you which note katyjay was attempting, you'll have to guess.

How was Maureen Lipman/Florence Foster Jenkins?

Maureen Lipman was a wonderful Foster-Jenkins, with one small niggle. She was spectacularly, gloriously off key - which was hysterically funny - but wasn't doing the near-misses that were the real lady's trademark.

I cracked up when I read in the programme that she'd been given vocal coaching for the role by the ENO's own Mary King!

I noticed that "Glorious" (did I remember right?) with her in it was at Malvern last week! Wish I had realised, I'm sure she was funny. I loved her in the dvd I got of Trevor Nunn's "Oklahoma" - she was brilliant.

The female voice does change, typically between the ages of 13-16. It can make your voice seem fuzzy, your range come and go, your voice crack for no apparent reason....fun stuff. It's kinda odd to think that the female voice changes, but it's true. I had a bit of a rough time during my change and have just now come out of it. There hasn't been a really noticable change with my voice, but it is stronger, louder, and clearer.