What exactly is falsetto?
FALSETTO is often refered to as HEAD voice but this is incorrect. Not only do they SOUND completely different and FEEL completely different, the very name suggests they are different. HEAD voice indicates that your resonance is in your “head” (that is your upper mouth, nasal and sinus cavities). FALSETTO (as the name suggests) is a false voice – different from normal. Head voice is a continuation or “connected” to CHEST voice (SPEAKING or MODAL voice). Your own distinct vocal character remains and you remain in full control of the note and can vary dynamics and you wish. In FALSETTO the vocal cords do not vibrate alone their optimal length. This produces a “breathier” sound, which is not only more difficult (if not impossible) to add real dynamics to but is also hard to hold for an extended note, as the air is rushing out faster. THis can be desirable for effect or style. Listen to Alannis Morissette for obvious examples of flipping from Chest voice to FALSETTO. lower notes are rich an
