How do you practice for those high tenor parts?

[Fenix]

I was wondering if the MOMs and MDs on this site could help me out. My choir has me singing tenor and i had no clue that the tenor had to sing such high notes. THere are times i have to use a falsetto to hit those high notes.

Is there a practice method i can use to strengthen my voice?

Thanks.

Oh and does the tenor sing the 3rd or the 5th above the melody note? Thanks.

#noob

[JoanHall]

The interval that the tenors sing will vary from song to song.  On some songs, the tenors may actually have the melody.  Relative to the sopranos, the tenors will usually be singing about a 5th or a 6th below the sopranos.

You can try practicing on your own and gently building up to singing higher and higher notes.  I believe that if someone has to go falsetto on a particular note, go ahead.  It's better than straining.

Something that I get on my soapbox about a lot is the fact that there are no lower male parts written on a lot of contemporary gospel songs.  If someone is naturally a baritone or bass, they're expected to sing high tenor if they want to sing in the choir.  I don't think it's right.  I create baritone parts for songs when I think it's needed, and I would encourage more directors to consider doing the same.

[blyempowered]

The interval that the tenors sing will vary from song to song.  On some songs, the tenors may actually have the melody.  Relative to the sopranos, the tenors will usually be singing about a 5th or a 6th below the sopranos.

You can try practicing on your own and gently building up to singing higher and higher notes. I believe that if someone has to go falsetto on a particular note, go ahead.  It's better than straining.

Something that I get on my soapbox about a lot is the fact that there are no lower male parts written on a lot of contemporary gospel songs.  If someone is naturally a baritone or bass, they're expected to sing high tenor if they want to sing in the choir.  I don't think it's right.  I create baritone parts for songs when I think it's needed, and I would encourage more directors to consider doing the same.

This

[betnich]

Tenors usually sing in 3rds above the melody line, an octave down, which works out to a 6th below the Soprano notes. If you can make chords with the melody note on top, Gospel voicing usually is -

Sop - top (Melody)
Alto - middle (Harmony)
Tenor - bottom (Harmony)

I think lots of guys have to switch to their Head/Falsetto voice to get up there, no shame in that, most will sound a little thin up there.
I tell the Choir to think of that old 'Hefty' garbage bag commercial, "Hefty, Hefty, Hefty" (chest voice), "Wimpy, Wimpy, Wimpy" (head voice) to illustrate it.
I agree w/Joan - in our small choir we have a couple of guys who sing bass/baritone, and I tell them to sing the melody...

[vtguy84]

The best advice to help build your range is to practice songs that modulate many times, like James Hall's Caught Up or Ricky Dillard's God's Will is What I Want...

Once you master those notes, then move to singing the alto notes.  That is what I've done to build my range.

[LaylaMonroe]

God's Will is What I Want is SUCHHHHH a fun song to sing! I love it!

And I agree with Joan Hall. Good stuff, lady.