Voice Type: Lyric Mezzo-Soprano
Range: G2-G#5-E6
I was prompted to create this after seeing an alarming amount of people calling Miley a coloratura contralto. Frightening. Miley is never far from controversy, but whether you like her or not, she is clearly very talented. She possess a distinctly low voice that sets her apart from her contemporaries, and causes much confusion over her voice type.
Alto
Miley may sing alto in a choir, but she simply cannot be one. Alto is a choral part, a melody that one sings. One cannot be a choral part, they can only sing it. Within the fach system (which is what we are using to classify Miley), there is no such thing as an alto. This is why it is impossible for Miley to be an alto.
Contralto
Firstly, contralto does exist within the fach system, so you can be one. Many believe that any woman with a low voice is an contralto. Most low voiced females are actually mezzo-sopranos. Why? In order to be a contralto, one must have a very specific vocal timbre. There voice must be androgynous. Yes, Miley’s voice is darker and lower than your typical woman, but without that masculinity she cannot be a contralto. It doesn’t matter how low a female can go, it all lies in timbre. Real contraltos would be Nina Simone and Cher. Compare them to Miley’s feminine voice and the difference will be clear.
Coloratura
Oddly enough, I have seen many people emphatically argue Miley is a coloratura contralto. We have established she isn’t a contralto, but why isn’t she a coloratura? Coloraturas will have the most agile voices of all. There is nothing overly agile about Miley’s voice. While agility can be learnt, Miley does not have a naturally light and flexible enough voice to be a coloratura.
Mezzo-Soprano
Miley is most certainly a mezzo. She harnesses her natural comfort down low, giving her an incredible low range. As a mezzo, she still possesses comfort in the lower 5th octave, and isn’t afraid to explore right up into the soprano range (We Can’t Stop, Take Care Of You). Like a typical mezzo, she has a more mature and thicker voice than a typical soprano.
Lyric
With mezzo-sopranos we have two main distinctions of lyric and dramatic. With a very warm, and at times bright voice, Miley is a lyric mezzo-soprano.
Vocal View: I love how Miley is unafraid to explore right down into the lower 3rd and 2nd octave.
