Vocal Type: Mezzo Soprano
Vocal Range:3 Octaves 2 Notes (B2-D6)
Whistle Register:Yes
Vocal Pluses: Unique and instantly recognizable tone. The lower register carries a dark and weighted tone to it and seems to be where the voice is most comfortable at.
Able to change the texture of the notes from dark and thick to a more husky sound. The true skill in this register can be shown in the ability to perform consecutive phrases, within the lower reaches of the third octave, at quick speeds or for extended periods of time [ Narcissus, Versions Of Violence or In Praise Of The Vulnerable Man].
The middle is marked with a nice full and vibrant sound [ That I Would Be Good and Thank U] and maintains this sound (up til Eb5).
The range, within the head voice, comes effortlessly, as Alanis Morissette spans across the 5th octave, and into the 6th octave with ease, being bright, piercing and marked, with a "siren-esque" character to it, . [Can't Not, Mary Jane and Wake Up]
Vocal Negatives:In the earlier years, vocal placement was a major issue but as the years progressed a healthier technique was established reducing this factor greatly (but not completely). Shows some difficulty mixing live, thus trying to "chest" her way the higher she goes, causing tension within the belts. Belts above Eb5 tend to be thin.
Thanks again to Serendipity for this excellent profile!
Massive thanks to Serendipity and DD, yet again!
ReplyDeleteAll these new profiles are that of my favourite artists. I am very grateful, Morissette is one of my oldest fav's and I cannot wait for her new album to drop this August 'Havoc and Bright Lights' and new single 'Guardian' is a classic treat for the ears! Indeed another rare artist for me that has never released a dud album in my opinion! Fabtastic, cheers again guys ;)
Great work Serendipity!
ReplyDeleteTime for me to start maybe learning something new( technical terms) here. So, in light of that effort. Could someone explain to this old fool what is meant exactly with "vocal placement"?
Vocal placement is essentially exactly what it sounds like. Its where you place the voice whilest executing any form of singing. The main resonators where proper technique call for placement is the mask (the roof of the mouth and nose) and the forehead. The sound produced when resonating in these areas is superb which is why all trained singers must learn to achieve this form of resonance. Bad placement is placement in the throat and heavy placement in the nose. These take away from the clear crisp sound and often not only muffle the note but also make it harder to achieve notes that take a bit more effort to hit. When you sing with great placement your entire voice is at your disposal. With bad...if you listen to Jessica Simpson you'll see why sometimes vocal training is a must.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite writers and singers, thanks for posting this DD!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to have been able to help :)
You are a star!
ReplyDeleteI need to revisit Alanis. Listening to some of the tracks that Serendipity noted made me miss her.
ReplyDeleteTa very much Brian. That was more answer than I expected and very helpful. :)
ReplyDeleteThough I cannot imagine the exact execution of such moves myself.
How you place your voice in the roof of your mouth or your forehead is an utter mystery to me personally but I can hear it when people do so in the throat or nose.
I also do recognize the difference between a trained singer and a untrained one. Leaving aside how trained and by whom. ;) I just mean someone who is clearly working on their technique and someone who isn't.
I hardly heard anything from Jessica, but I detect definite work in Taylor Swifts singing over the years. ( think she is still pretty poor but I think she is definitely putting in the effort one would expect from a professional. And she has shown improvement. . Respect to her for that one imo)
I am extremely happy that Alanis FINALLY has her own article lol. thank you for this profile she is an amazing singer who gets very little recognition and its nice to know that in a time where good music....and good singers, are hard to come by Alanis can hold her own.....glad i reccomended her :)
ReplyDeleteHaha sometimes I end up projecting more information than needed. But as far as how to do it its honestly not really complicated. Its more of a feel kind of thing. Jessica is a singer who i have no idea how they attained stardom. I mean...she sounds so bad lol. But i don't mind Taylor she doesnt have the worst placement she just gets picthy. And your right she is getting better.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you did project more than the bare minimum Brian.
ReplyDeleteI can help you out there re Jessica...she is the daughter of a billionaire. I understand he keeps trying to buy her a career. It's proof positive that, in spite of how it looks sometimes, you can buy notoriety but not really an actual career in music( or much else I suspect) when you lack the actual talent.
Diva Devotee I Finally got around to uploading the re-done version of my video on Alanis here it is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxOd-lEYURY . In my opinion you should use this updated video as the video on this page :)
ReplyDeleteTa, will add! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks again! :D
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for making this profile. My dad always used to listen to Alanis in the car when I was little and I had to look her up! The thing I love about her is how expressive her voice is. She never fails to bring emotion to the table if you ask me ;)
ReplyDeleteUmmm Diva, Alanis didn't have access to the whistle register,
ReplyDeletenot that I know of anyway :P
I was a bit disappointed by her latest studio effort "Havoc and Bright Lights"
ReplyDeleteHer lyrics are still great and she still remains one of the best songwriters in pop music, but I just wasn't impressed considering her previous studio efforts.
Really? I pre-ordered it (Deluxe edition at that) but I am sure I will love it as I adored guardian! Here is hoping anyways :)
ReplyDeleteIt's not bad per se, it's just more hit than miss in my opinion but there's still some nice songs in there. Guardian is my favorite track from the album :) Here's hoping you enjoy it in it's entirety though Stuey!
ReplyDeleteHehe! I probably will to be fair but keeping everything crossed that it holds my attention! :)
ReplyDeleteI got the album a couple of weeks back and I LOVE it, but then I have loved all her work. I like the fact she writes her own lyrics more the most part on her own and manages to craft some of the most affecting songs out there. There are so many brilliant songs on there. although I know its not everyones cup of tea but give it a few listens and you wont regret it, ones to listen to are....Empathy, Guardian, Spiral, Lens. Havoc, 'Til You....I could probably list all the songs as I love them but as I bought the deluxe edition with live tracks from Berlin that was also a massive bonus!!! Exceptional, but feel free to drop your thoughts folks :) x
ReplyDeletethis is wrong, she is a litgh mezzo , her vocal rnage is by 4octvs and her highest nte in head is g # 7 in tapes
ReplyDeleteWell, as I understand someone here is right in saying that el has a vocal range of 4 octaves.
ReplyDeleteAlanis also has a very different technique of picking up purchased with most singers today, have a great facility to sustain notes this can be seen in the song Mary Jane where she besides giving very fine treble holds the note for up to 20 seconds, 19 Hapiness War Gun seconds and 16 seconds in Limbo No More.
As for the treble can see that she gets a good hard on songs like, Your Congratulations, Wake Up, Mary Jane, The (latest track), and Tapes Not The Doctor (Live Japan 1999)
I love Alanis, she has a unique voice and a very successful niche singer.
ReplyDeleteLOVE HER,,,,,,,,,,
ReplyDeleteShe actually has one of the most polyvalent and powerful voice among famous female superstars. She sings her own songs imperfectly in her own style but after seeing her live I must say how her vocal range caught me off hard. The girl can belt a variety of notes ! (And she's actually 10 times better live than on cd).
ReplyDeleteAs far as I can remember, This girl right here has been singing her songs in her most honest yet unperfect way. She has a unique voice; you either like it or you don't. But the truth is that; she has one hell of a powerful voice (thought after seeing her Live)! Alanis is not a Diva but…. she sure could have been one cause let me tell you: The girl sure knows how to sing and how to belt a great variety of notes. Never had I heard a range like hers before and it was simply beautiful.
ReplyDelete