Vocal Range: 2 Octaves 1 note E3-F5
Whistle Register: No
Vocal Pluses: Incredibly versatile voice that has many colours and timbres throughout the range. Her lower chest voice is heavy,rich and dramatic with a dark colouring and operatic timbre. This contrasts greatly to the higher part, that is bright, thin and piercing with a greater affinity for melisma.
The lower part of her head voice sounds warm and rounded and can either have an operatic mezzo-esque quality to it or a breathier lighter sound depending on the desired effect. The top part of the head voice shares the piercing and shrill qualities of the upper chest voice.
Vocal Negatives: The harsher, more penetrating, parts of her voice are not as easy to listen to as the more rounded and fuller parts.
Recommended listening: Now We Are Free, The Valley of the Moon, Come Tenderness, Sacrifice, Elysium
Low Notes:
E3
F#3
A3
Bb3
C4
D4
Belting: Lower
E4
G4
Higher:
C5
Head:
C5
F5
Vocal Slide
C5-C4 (1 octave)
Her voice is so extraordinary.
ReplyDeleteHer range is dramatic mezzo-soprano on the song, Elegy. Here's the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4PqWjug1Jg
ReplyDeleteShe may be able to sing Mezzo Soprano songs but her voice sounds like a Contralto type to me. She sure is one versatile singer though
ReplyDeletedivadevotee I agree. She first started out as a dramatic mezzo-soprano in her early Dead Can Dance days in the 80's, but she's now a full rich contralto :)
ReplyDeleteHer voice is a musical instrument.
ReplyDeleteWonderful lady.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why people sometime confuse Lisa Gerrard with Enya. Ms. Gerrard clearly performed the Gladiator theme. Just saying :D
ReplyDeletePowerful voice.
ReplyDelete2 octaves 1 semitone
ReplyDeleteHer voice can make you cry, but in a good way.
ReplyDeleteHer voice is a complete chorus. A talent like her born only once in a century.
ReplyDelete@ Dan, And how is her voice "odd"?
ReplyDeleteWonderful chameleon-like vocals.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first heard one of her songs, I thought it was a man, lol. Talk about a deep dark contralto or woman tenor <3
ReplyDeleteIsn't she just one of the greatest vocalists ever? She's so unreal :)
ReplyDeleteWhat would you describe Lisa Gerrard's "contralto vocal" type??
ReplyDeleteColoratura?
Lyric?
Dramatic?
Hello •• I just read Lisa Gerrard's vocal profile, and is she really a Contralto like you said? She sounds like a female Tenor or something. Also, what were the songs you sampled on "Vocal Slide
ReplyDeleteC5-C4 (1 octave)" and "F5"?
What an odd voice....
ReplyDeleteDamn, her voice is deep...
ReplyDeleteVocals from the Gods <3
ReplyDeleteDude! Why didn't she win an Academy Award for her work in Gladiator? Ms. Gerrard is sadly sometimes underated :-\
ReplyDeleteOne of the deepest female vocalists ever.
ReplyDelete@Athena, Ms. Gerrard is a dramatic contralto.
ReplyDeleteThe weirdest song from her is this one:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VmqLWvAKXs
What were the songs you used DD?
ReplyDeleteHer voice is so rich.
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of contralto is she? Lyric or Dramatic?
ReplyDeleteI think because of the richness, and darkness of the lower range, she would most likely be dramatic. Anyone else agree/disagree?
ReplyDeleteI agree. Dramatic contralto fits Lisa Gerrard's vocal range.
ReplyDeleteWill her vocal range be changed to "Dramatic conrtalto" or left as is?
ReplyDeleteoops. Thought I had!
ReplyDeleteHahahaha, you're good hun :) And what were the song clips you used for her profile?
ReplyDeleteSorry, I can't remember. I just went through youtube videos suggested listening out for notes. Maybe a fan can help. Anyone?
ReplyDeleteI think I know it.
ReplyDelete1. Largo
2. Gladiator remix
3. Sacrifice
4. Forgotten Worlds
5. Amergin's Innvocation, (used in the movie King Arthur)
6. Amerigin's Innvocation (again)
7. Sacrifice (again)
8. Amerigin's Innvocation (yet again, lol)
9. (I don't even know, lol)
10. (Probably) Solace
11. (Never heard of it)
12. (Again, don't know)
Was I right?
I think so. What's your input, DD? :)
ReplyDeleteI think she almost hit some lyric mezzo-soprano notes in this song. But, still performed in the contralto range.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYgL0Go4YXY
Another superb vocalist I discovered a few months back....her voice is like a drop of heaven!
ReplyDeleteOhh yes :} I've been a fan of hers since she was in Dead Can Dance. Sadly, she's sometimes underated.
ReplyDeleteI know, its often those with the most talent that suffer that fate! Those that can be marketed easily because of looks ect will often be more successful and get more coverage....which is all wrong in my book!
ReplyDeleteLisa Gerrard is a woman Tenor.
ReplyDeleteSadly, some people don't even know who Lisa Gerrard is.
ReplyDeleteVery rare voice. You don't hear this everyday.
ReplyDeleteOh wow. I can't believe Lisa Gerrard is on here. I'm such a huge fan of hers. And what a chameleon voice huh? :-D
ReplyDeleteShe has man and woman voice at the same time, really has to be the voice of the gods.
ReplyDeleteI too want to know what song that was she hit the Note F5. that was pretty high. She has the kind of voice that will just draw u in and put u in a trance and take u to another place. Listening to her music gives me inspiration when I write my own music for the piano.
ReplyDeleteIndeed she does! And nice name! Mortal Kombat rules lol
ReplyDeleteThanx. Sonya Blade is my fav character :p
ReplyDeleteSome say she's actually a tenor or something.
Most defo would be if she was a dude, by far the deepest female voice I have ever heard thats for sure! Great singer! Mileena all the way though baby hehe
ReplyDeleteWe went from Lisa Gerrard to Mortal Kombat? Lol.
ReplyDeleteWhat is your favorite Lisa Gerrard song?
Hehe I know, random indeed huh! One of my fav's for sure is "Sacrifice", there is something about it that really stirs the soul! That and "Come this Way", Another song would be "One Perfect Sunrise" with Orbital is amazing and just shows how versatile she is....incredible...
ReplyDeleteI will be kind and spread the love around too, get people checking this stuff out! See links below guys awesome stuff!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBhh0Ilbsec
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDmktc_yLTA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TPua3PJKhM
Lol meant to ask you, which are your fav's?
ReplyDeleteStuey, those are some GREAT songs. "Sacrifice" makes me cry like a child at times. Its really chilling and emotional. My favorites are Now we are free, Entry, Elysium (makes me tear up), The Valley of the Moon, Sanvean, Persephone, Largo (which is my #1 favorite, lol) and many more :}
ReplyDeleteI believe she sang in the mezzo-soprano range in "Come this way" and "One perfect sunrise". Her wikipedia page explains some of that: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Gerrard
Now what songs make you shed a tear?
Ahhh defo sacrifice makes me a lil teary eyed...I try not to let the music do that to me too often though or I would prob end up a nervous wreck, considering the diva's I listen to (Mariah, Kelly C, Christina ect ect) lol
ReplyDeleteI had a little spy at her wikipedia page...it makes for an intersting read. was really tempted to clean up the discography too....was too much scrolling involved there lol
I noticed with Lisa Gerrard's songs, it can be really morunful, but with some coloring, since her vocal range has a REAL dark color to it. I cannot imagine how low she can go. I can't even go as low as she can, and I'm a low mezzo-soprano alost contralto, lol.
ReplyDeleteEdit away! Lol. What's stopping ya? That list does seem kind-of long. Maybe you can also clean up some of the slight of bad grammer in the "Vocal type" section :}
I know, she is a very emotive singer! And a good one at that! She could prob reach notes I would have issues lol Already fixed the Vocal Ability, given it its own section and put it in better order and grammar ect. The discography might take me a while. Thats gonna be a page of its own me thinks :)
ReplyDelete@Stuey, I did some editing on the wikipedia page and the IMDB page as well :} http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0314713/bio (<<<The edit didn't go through as of yet though).
ReplyDeleteAnd it looks like this blog post as now turned into a fourm, lol!
Ahhh! What happened to my last post? Its all trippy, lol. I hope you understood it though, lol.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Loving your work! And I found your posts - but crikey that got confusing for a second there lol not been on imdb for donkeys! is quite a useful wee site too!
ReplyDeleteWe make a great team, lol.
ReplyDelete(Reposting the video from the chat box).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRsptfVAwmw&ob=av2e
Indeed indeed! Terrible twosome hehehe or thats what Katy's editor will be thinking about now ;)
ReplyDeleteHahahahaha!!! He'll or She'll be drove up the wall, lol.
ReplyDeleteI found part 2 of the video from earlier:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAhyLv9DHnQ&feature=relmfu
SN: I kicked Mileena's butt the other day. HA!
ReplyDeleteLisa Gerrard's voice is just, breathtaking. You'll never know what range she will sing in.
Her singing makes me cry in a good way.
ReplyDeleteOhhhh yes. Elysium. Always brings tears to my eyes. VERY moving and emotional.
ReplyDeleteOhh hey DD, can you do a review on this cover on, "All along the watchtower"?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93GLWbhdOH0
Why is this woman underated?!
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have a video of Lisa Gerrard performing, "Now we are free" live?
ReplyDeleteNvmind. Found it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdVLi235gZQ
ReplyDeleteIs she really a "dramatic contralto"? She can go high on some of her and Dead Can Dance's songs.
ReplyDeleteThis is what Ms. Gerrard herself said on her vocal range:
ReplyDelete"I have never dared to face the disappointments that my true vocal range may bring. I have many fundamentals in my voice that give the appearance of it being very deep or very high, when in fact I believe it’s quite narrow and limited.One thing that I do encourage in other singers is never allow themselves to be discouraged by traditional formula as the songs that we sing are not measured academically; they are measured by those that are moved cathartically."
Credit: http://www.lisagerrard.com
Dead Can Dance is coming out with a new album on Aug 9!! Can you please do a review on DCD or Lisa Gerrard's albums? :)
ReplyDeletehey LGFan. I dont have the time to be doing retrospective album reviews unfortunately:( but if i can get my hands on DCD in aug then i dont see why I wouldnt review it :)
ReplyDeletesorry, i just saw that! I find it hard enough to stay on top of my current reviews, let alone reviewing stuff from the past, lol. But I promise, as soon as she releases something new I'll be on it!! :D
ReplyDeleteI found this video of Ms. Gerrard just now. Her vocal range goes from deep dark contralto, to almost light dramatic mezzo-soprano.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5IT4K7Vook&feature=relmfu
Lisa's vocal range is from D3 (The Circulation of Shadows) to Bb5 (The Snake and the Moon)
ReplyDeleteThe song in which Lisa hits the F5 and does the vocal slide is a live version of "Swans", as it appears on the unofficial album "Gothic Spleens".
ReplyDeleteShe hit D3 in The Circulation of Shadows and Bb5 in The snake and the Moon.
ReplyDeleteWow...just heard of her and she's most definitely a rare dramatic contralto with a nice variation of timbres and colors at her disposal. Her voice is considerably heavier and darker than my own in all of the octaves she uses -- there is no comparison. I swear my voice cowered and hid. LOL. She must be my vocal opposite.
ReplyDeleteShe has a very rich, heavy sound -- baritonal in character in the third octave with the heaviness pervading into the fourth. By C5, she begins to lighten up although the weight remains ever present. A unique voice to be sure.
Ms. Gerrard has such an extraordinary voice. She definitely can sing a powerful D3 and maybe lower as I've heard her command her lower registers in "La Bas: Song of the Drowned" and I've heard her sing in the mid to upper fifth octave in the Whale Rider soundtrack. Some great examples would be "Paikea Legend" and "Reiputa".
ReplyDeleteHer song "Elegy " was in the Superman trailer.
ReplyDeleteHer song "Elegy " was in the superman trailer.
ReplyDeleteFor the longest time, I thought her voice her voice belonged to a man, lol.
ReplyDeleteDoes she have both contralto and mezzo-soprano ranges? Somebody help me out here.
ReplyDeleteMore like lyric contralto.
ReplyDeleteHer voice can be heard in the History Channel miniseries "The Bible". Very powerful stuff.
ReplyDeleteHer vocal range is really lyric contralto, DD.
ReplyDeleteHere's a recent pic of Lisa Gerrard:
ReplyDeletehttp://thodorismarkou.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/dead_can_dance_05_lisa_gerrard.jpg
She has dipped as far down to a super masculine, but breathy G♯2 about a minute into "Shadow Hunter", husky B♭2s in "Devotion", as well as C3s and D3s in "An Evening With Lisa Gerrard". Then there are D3s in "The Circulation Of Shadows", "La Bas: Song Of The Drowned", and "Redemption".
ReplyDeleteSome powerful belts would be A4s in "Song Of Sophia" and "Space Weaver", B4s in "Dreams Made Flesh" and "Mesmerism", C5s in "Agape" and "Ocean", and D5s in "Immortal Memory" and "Echolalia".
Two head notes are the D5s in "Summoning Of The Muse" and E5 in "The Crossing", plus some strange F5s in "Paikea Legend" and B♭5s in "The Snake And The Moon".
:D All in love.
She is not a dramatic anything.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l8FnNtknjE
ReplyDeleteLisa Gerrard 2013.
Am I possibly the only person who finds it quite ODD that a Contralto, a DRAMATIC one at that, is unable to go lower than E3? Lyric Sopranos and Lyric Mezzos go lower than that. How can a contralto not get to C3, much less a Dramatic one? Naturally dark, heavy & lower voice. It should be quite EASY for them to reach AT LEAST a C3. I've NEVER heard of this woman before but I can tell you now that she probably isn't a Contralto let alone a Dramatic Contralto lol
ReplyDeleteHer range is actually F#2 to A5. Please update!
ReplyDeleteMs. Gerrard has a fantastic control of notes around and below E3. Her vocal fry is sparsely used but has been used to accompany male vocals on a few studio recordings. Check out my page on The Range Place for her! This took a lot of careful listening but delving into her career and rare live performances, I've found how her voice has thickened and obviously matured over the years. She has reached throaty F2s and E2s, actually, in "The Rite" but it's fine if those are left out.
ReplyDeleteHer mixed register is beautiful, too. The E♭5 at the end of "Immortal Memory" is divine and as far as her head register, the notes in between E5 and A5 on "Paikea Legend" and "Reiputa" are ghostly and chilling. The lower second octave notes can be a bit harder to notice at first until you listen into songs where she harmonizes with herself.
All in love! <3
She hits both contralto and mezzo-soprano notes here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-xtLpi6FP8
ReplyDelete