Soft Falsetto Tier List (1,379 views)

[clem]

Falsetto/head voice will always be a debate. So I'm just going with the term "soft falsetto", for an entirely uncompressed, light, heady sound, that is clearly separate from their other registers.

S Tier
Refers to
- Angelic falsetto singing, making full, expressive use of this tone. As impressive as it is stirring.

A Tier
Refers to
- Impressive and demanding falsetto singing. Consistent, with no intrusive flaws.

B Tier
Refers to any of
- Impressive falsetto singing that sounds a bit laboured or ungainly.
- Falsetto singing that gets the best out of fairly unadventurous melody lines. It's simple stuff, but they're knocking it out of the park.

C Tier
Refers to
- Falsetto singing that is entirely serviceable, though quite unrefined/underwhelming. It's simple stuff, and they're doing an alright job.

D Tier
Refers to any of
- Falsetto singing that is a bit frail/shaky.
- Falsetto singing that is audibly thin/weak, though still able to carry melodies fairly effectively.
- Falsetto singing of simple melodies that sounds laboured/ungainly, but is otherwise decent. They're making hard work where there shouldn't be.
- Falsetto singing that is extremely limited in application, though otherwise decent.

E Tier
Refers to
- Very flawed falsetto singing, deficient in most respects, but can still carry some sort of basic tune.

F Tier
Refers to
- Unpleasant falsetto hooting and howling, with little purpose or control.

[Breakfast in D-sharp]

I think Vitas and Dimash would be among the most obvious candidates for S tier (why S, btw? Does it stand for a word?)

[clem]

Nov 25, 2021 15:17:34 GMT Breakfast in D-sharp said:

I think Vitas and Dimash would be among the most obvious candidates for S tier (why S, btw? Does it stand for a word?)

Good question! Just Googled it, and apparently it comes from the Japanese school grading system, where S is the top grade. There's no consensus on what the S officially stands for, but "super", "superb" and "superior" are all common guesses.

[Deleted]

Harry Nilsson is probably the best candidate for S-tier in history. His falsetto is unmatched. Roy Orbison would also be S-tier if you ask me. Elvis Presley would probably be A-tier. I’d place Johnny Cash around B or C tier, since most of his “falsetto” was either shouting in high range or just holding a random falsetto note for no reason. As far as I know, Leonard Cohen never used falsetto.

[Rodney Blazershorts]

Nov 26, 2021 5:13:51 GMT @ianvector said:

I’d place Johnny Cash around B or C tier, since most of his “falsetto” was either shouting in high range or just holding a random falsetto note for no reason.

That sounds far, far below C tier.

[blazejecar2]

The entire 2nd half of this song is S tier falsetto use for me (3:20 and all the way to that awesome ending)

[clem]

Nov 26, 2021 11:46:20 GMT fallenalien said:

CeeLo Green - A or S tier (can't always tell what register he's using for his high notes)

A or S would be a little generous for CeeLo imo. He has some good high notes in falsetto, but he rarely sings a whole line with that tone. 

[innuendo]

Roger Taylor A or S tier (early Queen stuff are incredible). Freddie Mercury would be and A or S tier too (Soul Brother, Cool Cat and Impromptus are beautiful).

[clem]

Nov 26, 2021 17:39:08 GMT fallenalien said:

Which technique do you think he uses for the notes after 0:48 in this song? Are these "blue notes"? 

In the lead vocals, it's his usual mixed voice. I think I can hear some falsetto notes in the backing vocals though.