Finding Optimal Speaking Pitch Range

Every voice has an ideal speaking pitch and speaking pitch range. Here is a chart compiled and designed based upon research information and my personal experience as a voice trainer. A qualified voice professional can help you find your optimal speaking pitch.

  NOTE ON PIANO FREQUENCY (Hz) OSPR
       
MIDDLE C C 261.63 CHILDREN (and higher)
  B 246.94  
  A# 233.08 FEMALE
  A 220.00 AVERAGE FEMALE
My Experience:  Most Common OSP G# 207.65 AVERAGE FEMALE
  G 196.00 FEMALE
  F# 185.00 (female)
  F 174.61 (female)
  E 164.81  
  D# 155.56  
  D 146.83  
  C# 138.59  
OCTAVE BELOW MIDDLE C C 130.81 MALE
  B 123.47 MALE
My Experience:  Most Common OSP A# 116.54 AVERAGE MALE
  A 110.00 AVERAGE MALE
  G# 103.83 MALE
  G 98.00  

Optimal Speaking Pitch Range Findings:

1) Male speaking voice averages about 125 Hz, Female voice averages about 210 Hz (Georgia State Univ., Dept of Physics and Astronomy)

2) Male age 51 = 110 Hz, age 21 = 130 Hz; Female age 51 = 174 Hz, age 21 = 196 Hz (Greater Baltimore Medical Center Milton J. Dance, Jr. Head & Neck Rehab. Ctr.)

3) Male 110-130 Hz, Female 200-230 Hz  (Wake Forest University Center for Voice Disorders 2001 Online Opinion Poll)

4) Male 110 Hz, Female 220 Hz (Wikipedia)

NOTE: Habitual Speaking Pitch is not necessarily the same as Optimal Speaking Pitch.

 

Vocal Hygiene & Helpful Hints Checklist

Minimize shouting and yelling

Minimize whispering

Minimize caffeine and alcohol

Minimize coughing and throat clearing

Minimize grunting or vocalization during exercise

Avoid lazy speech or rapid speaking

Do not compete vocally with noisy environments

Eliminate tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke

Avoid dusty environments - especially if allergic

Adjust dry environments (A/C, heating)

Avoid unnecessary medications (including OTC drugs)

Rest voice during periods of excessive fatigue and stress and during or after illness

Eat a well-balanced diet

Keep hydrated by drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day and 1 additional glass for every serving of caffeine or alcohol consumed. For additional hydration because of environmental dryness use humidifiers (cool mist), steam inhalers, or both

Increase awareness of potentially abusive vocal behaviors and implement a lifestyle plan that minimizes potentially abusive vocal behaviors (such as vocal loading resulting from extended periods of speaking)

Minimize gastroesophageal and laryngopharyngeal reflux (GERD or LPR) through behavior changes (stress management, habitual and environmental) and dietary modifications

Women: track hormones

Warm-up the voice in the morning

Stretch the body and stretch and rotate the neck

Engage in light aerobics

Lift weights (if you must life) with care

Stand and sit with good posture

Relax the neck, jaw and everything else

Breathe low

Breathe through the nose (through nose and mouth for singing)