Vocal Type:Mezzo-Soprano
Vocal Range: 4.4 notes, G2- D7 (approx)
Longest Note: 17 seconds [With Open Arms]
Vocal Pluses: Rachelle Ferrell is a technical and emotive vocalist who uses the whole vocalising apparatus to create the unique sound that has come to be her trademark. In a live setting this is most physically noticeable by the Diva’s mouth contorting as she shapes the sound leaving her singing cavity [America the Beautiful].
But within, the Divas technical ability continues, with excellent breath and core control allowing her mastery over dynamics [I’m Special]; holding notes for almost superhuman amounts of time, on pitch and without strain [Open Arms Live]; Yodelling [I'm Special]; crescendo with sliding scales [Only Took A Minute]; and scatting and singing complex melisma throughout the range [Anita Baker tribute].
With a dark and masculine lower range, the Diva has a weight present here that carries through all the voice- bar the upper belt and whistle register. Even at its lowest, the voice has a solid ring to it, and a clear and rounded sound.[You Don't Know What Love Is]
The midrange has a duel nature. It can be thick, with a nasal placement and weight to it [Welcome To My World]; or airy, sweet and light [I'm Special]. Both timbres are easily accessible, and though the former of the two is more akin to the register beneath and the mid-range belt it leads into, Rachelle exhibits freedom and control in both.
The belting range is largely head-voice dominant, becoming more so as it rises and sheds weight. It has a warm colour and elastic quality that allows upper fifth octave belting without strain or push [ Tribute to Natalie Cole]. This mix affords the voice a stability that allows for vocal tricks and held notes, even at the top of her chest voice [I can Explain].
The whistle register is piercing, bright and cutting. The Diva can jump to it from anywhere in the range, can hold notes within it and sing melisma into and out of it.[ Inchworm]
Vocal Negatives: Vocal delivery may be an acquired taste.
