by Mark JW Graham – Vocal Coach in Nottingham, UK
What Does a Light Voice Sound Like?
When people come for an initial consultation, we conduct a full assessment of their voice. Do they have a heavy voice, a light voice, or something in between? It’s like an MOT for their voice — identifying what’s good, what’s OK, and what needs work.
But even before the assessment, I’m listening to the timbre and weight of their voice while they speak. I want to hear what their voice naturally sounds like, without interference. From there, I can more accurately figure out how to help build their voice.
What Affects Vocal Weight?
Their size, age, sex, and specific physiology all contribute to whether a voice is light or weighty.
A weighty voice tends to result from greater vocal fold muscle, a large or low-sitting larynx, a longer neck, and sometimes a bigger body. Voices often get weightier with age, until much later in life when muscle atrophy or structural changes reverse this trend.
A lighter voice often presents with the opposite traits: smaller body stature, younger age, and less vocal mass. These voices tend to be more agile and nimble, with greater top-end range but less presence at the bottom. They may work harder to project power, whereas heavier voices may need to cultivate flexibility.
Examples of Light Voices
1. Bruno Mars
Listen to the opening seconds of this clip:
Bruno Mars speaking and singing
His speaking voice is light, almost feminine. His singing voice sits in the same register — high and agile. The power comes from energy and style, not depth or heaviness.
2. Jonah Nilsson
Jonah, from the Swedish band Dirty Loops, has an exceptionally high singing voice:
Now listen to his speaking voice here:
Jonah Nilsson speaking breakdown
The vocal weight and pitch lie similarly to Bruno Mars — not identical, but clearly in the same territory.
3. Juan Diego Flórez
Watch this interview to hear his natural voice:
Then listen to him singing:
His vocal instrument is much lighter than most — bright, agile, and highly refined, but lacking the heavier resonance of weightier voices.
Conclusion
Hopefully, these examples help you recognise the core qualities of a lighter voice. In the next post, we’ll explore weightier voices and how they compare. Understanding both ends of the spectrum will help you hear where your own voice lies along that range.
Suggested Reading
Mark JW Graham - Mark is a high-end vocal coach and singing teacher based in Nottingham in the UK. He is known as the "go-to voice coach" by singers wanting to experience dramatic improvements in their singing voice in a short space of time.
With a client-base from around the world, Mark's high skill level as a coach, singer and musician helps him to transform singing voices and enhance their musicianship to new levels.