Changing My Voice

Christopher Gabbitas asks why singers sometimes have to change the pitch of their voice.

How do they learn to perform in another register and what effect does the change have?

Christopher was a member of vocal group the King's Singers. He originally began his career as a bass, able to sing the lowest notes with ease. But when he auditioned for the group, the vacancy was for the higher baritone voice and he had to learn to sing in that new range.

Some classical singers have to change their voice because of the effects of ageing. Other singers discover that, although they may have begun in one register, they are more suited to another.

And there are cases of injury to the vocal chords, which can also cause a singer to have to change register.

But it's not easy to change your voice – and it can be an unnerving process with new techniques to learn.

Christopher goes on a personal exploration of the art of voice changing.

He examines his own experiences and talks to other singers who have switched ranges, to see how fundamental such shifts can be.

Interviewees include the singers Grace Bumbry and Rosalind Plowright.

Producer: Emma Kingsley

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2012.