Vocal Type: Mezzo-Soprano
Vocal Range: 1 Octaves 5 notes (G3-E5)
Whistle Register: No
Vocal Strengths: Predominately breathy, warm and light voice with a soft and airy quality to it that extends throughout. The voice can also be more solid, and rounded in tone- though could never be described as weighty. When this fuller tone is used in the fifth octave it can produce a light, operatic like colour to it. As stated the voice harmonizes brilliantly and layers well to produce unisons that retain lightness, warmth and the voice's intrinsic ethereal character.
Vocal Weaknesses: Her voice, due to its airy quality, can be seen as as having a weak tone.
Must Hear: Orinoco Flow, Far and Away, The First of Autumn, May It Be, Only If, Only Time and Long Long Journey
Lower Register:
G3:
Mid-Range:
Bb3:
C4:
Mixed:
Bb4
Head:
E5
Thanks Diva! Everything was right :D
ReplyDelete1 more video for the profile :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRWYrEnmXfI
1 Octave, 4 tones and a half.
ReplyDeleteShe's a mezzo-soprano, with a slight alto range.
ReplyDelete"Evening Falls" is also a gorgeous song. Vocally, she kind of reminds me of Sinead O'Connor a bit, albeit with a lot more production on her voice. She's carved a long career from her Celtic schtick.
ReplyDeleteI also read once that she never really listens to pop music whatsoever - which would explain a lot in terms of her songwriting and sticking to her preferred style.
Proof that you dont need to wail or go belt crazy in order to have a great voice and career. Her voice is so relaxing and pretty. Stuey
ReplyDeleteHer voice can stop wars <3
ReplyDeleteThought her vocal range was at least a G6.
ReplyDeleteHuge fan of hers. Thanks for posting this.
ReplyDeleteLove Enya <3
ReplyDelete"When this fuller tone is used in the fifth octave it can produce a light, operatic like colour to it."
ReplyDeleteJust wondering, is there a specific example of this? Like a note or lyric where this is exemplified?
Thank you!
Whoops, forgot...is this 'fuller tone' describe her mixed voice or her mid range? Or a specific note she hits in a song? I'm not too clear really on this description. Thank you again.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing wrong with her voice :)
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love listening to this woman sing. Her voice always sounds so mystical. It feels like Lord of the rings all over again. Lol.
ReplyDeleteMy mom once said that Enya was an alto, but she *is* a mezzo-soprano :)
ReplyDeleteCan you post other sound examples, DD?
ReplyDeleteWhat did you have in mind?
ReplyDeleteMore so in her head voice. She can use it to produce a thicker, operatic tone- which is of a medium weight- or it can be a thinner and airy sound, almost like a falsetto.
ReplyDeleteHey Jenny, I'm not massively aware of her back catalogue, so if you've heard her sing higher please direct me. :)
ReplyDeleteLyric mezzo-soprano right?
ReplyDeleteIn the song, "Trains and Winter Rains", you can tell she does hit some of the almost-alto ranges. What would you describe her vocal range after listening to the song, DD?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuDDPF6vE6Y&ob=av2e
Is Enya really a lyric mezzo-soprano or no? Her vocal range changes a little in almost all her songs. She even hit some of the "coloratura" alto-ish ranges. (Not exact "contralto", but you know what I meant, lol).
ReplyDeleteShe's a fully lyric mezzo-soprano :D
ReplyDeleteStuey! We need your imput on this entry too! Lol :}
ReplyDeleteI would say she sounds light, refreshing and at times rather fragile, she does have the characteristics of a lyric mezzo, but I think she might have a wider range, will try to hunt out some evidence! Either way a beauty of a voice!
ReplyDeleteLove 'Only Time' thats one of my favs! You?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wfYIMyS_dI&ob=av2e
My favs are, "Trains and Winter Rains", "Long Long Journey", "May it be" (makes me cry at times), "The First of Autumn", "Boadicea", "Pilgrim", "Wild Child", "Only Time", "Deora Ar Mo Chroí" (also makes me cry) and MANY more.
ReplyDeleteDoes any of those songs makes you tear up just a little?
Wow thats freaky, 'Deora Ar Mo Chroi' totally does, as does 'May it Be' (I also enjoyed the Hayley Westenra version of that song!) Haunting stuff! Like Lisa I could listen to her all day and often do on my breaks at work as very voice is one of the best sonic de-stressers around lol
ReplyDeleteOmg, my grammar and spelling is horrible, lol.
ReplyDeleteBut yeah, I've noticed with Enya's music, its really chill and relaxing. And with Lisa Gerrard's, its dark and soothing.
And lol we all have our moments, there are times I 'type' stuff that makes zero sense at all and just looks plain wrong lol
ReplyDeleteI type WAY too fast, so that's probablly why, lol.
ReplyDeleteAnd @DD, do you think Enya is a Lyric Mezzo-soprano?
VelvetViolet i keep forgetting to answer that question. I agree with most below that enya is probably a Light-lyric mezzo
ReplyDeleteYes, I do agree with Enya as a light-lyric mezzo-soprano, DD :)
ReplyDeleteStuey, what do you think, hun?
I would most definately agree, her voice is extremely light, I think thats why she does a lot of layering (which she does extremely well). At the same time though I think she has that rounded and full sound that a lyric would have!
ReplyDeleteThat was me BTW, lol ^^^^
ReplyDeleteHer vocals does go up and down, (like Lisa Gerrard's for example). She can go up to the lyric mezzo-soprano range to "light alto-ish", like in the song, "Long Long Journey" here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf37oilky0g
ReplyDeleteI can even sing the song with no problems, and my vocal range is Low dramatic mezzo-soprano/Coloratura contralto.
Imputs? Lol.
Its a testament to her talent, she can still get through that thick production with ease too, defo lyric for sure! Not heard her sing as low as this though before, nice vid! ;)
ReplyDeleteCan someone name the song where she hits the C4 note and the E5 one, please? :-)
ReplyDeleteSorry for the late reply. In fact, I do have some song sample ideas. Can you please add, "May It Be", "Only If", "Only Time" and "Long Long Journey"?
ReplyDeleteLookie what I found. A rare live Enya performance and interview from 1996 or 1997. Cool huh? Lol :D
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogcy1mglKGY
Did Enya perform on the Gladiator soundtrack? Or was it someone else?
ReplyDeleteI did think that when I added the suggested videos, but I'm going to check now since another person has had the same thought.
ReplyDelete....you got to be kidding right?
ReplyDeleteI don't know why people think Enya sang on the Gladiator soundtrack, which she DIDN'T. (Sorry, it annoys me).
Stuey! We need you hon! Lol.
I thought she was a dramatic mezzo-soprano or at least a light alto.
ReplyDeleteIn long long journey she never goes higher than G#4, and she goes down to a D#3 on the last note. My kind of song! Low altos unite! :)
ReplyDelete