In the short clips below, three great tenors of the recent past demonstrate improper and proper use of the singing voice, especially how to handle the passaggio (transition) from the middle register to the upper (head) register.

Admittedly, some of the bad practice illustrations are exaggerated! Nonetheless, they convey important messages and warnings!

Even though the demonstrations are all by male voices, all principles and potential pitfalls apply equally to female voices at higher pitch.

Here are very short excerpts from the opera repertory for tenor, baritone and bass voice categories. Keep mind that my voice category is baritone and that I recorded the excerpts recently, at a time many years past middle age in my life (well over two decades!)