Beth Hart: Voice Profile and Vocal Range (2022)

Vocal Range: D3 – G#5 – G#5 (2 octaves and a diminished fifth)^[1]Hart’s vocal range shown here is incomplete. Hart sings a D3 in “Tell Her You Belong To Me” belts an F#5 in “Whole Lotta Love” (Live). If you know of any additional … Continue reading

Vocal Fach: Dramatic Mezzo-Soprano

Vocal Rating: Vocalist

Analysis: Known initially as a contestant on Star Search and her 90s worldwide hit “LA Song,” Beth Hart has since become one of the leading women in Blues music. Hart’s voice is unmistakable: her wispy tremolo, masterful control of rubato, and intense vocal distortions are unlike any other vocalist today (except, perhaps, Miley Cyrus, who identifies Hart as a vocal influence).^[2]Miley Cyrus Reveals Her Top 5 Female Singers A classically trained cellist and pianist, it’s unclear to what extent Hart took voice lessons. Hart’s blues-rock style certainly eschews bel canto aesthetics but not necessarily its suggested technique; Hart displays a deceptive amount of pedagogical knowledge and techniques to both preserve her voice and achieve an idiosyncratic style.

Hart would best be classified as a Dramatic Mezzo-Soprano. While she has been understandably labeled as a contralto by critics and writers for her low and dark sound, her voice even through its grit and distortion is decidedly womanly, and not truly androgynous. While Hart’s voice may not have a voice of dramatic size, in opera, Dramatic Mezzo-Soprano parts are often tragic and twisted, a rather apt fit given Hart’s blues catalog and personal history.

Hart’s strongest asset as a vocalist is not necessarily one of technique but feeling: Hart has nothing short of a masterful control of rubato, confidently pushing and pulling on the tempo to connect to her music. This wouldn’t be possible without a strong sense of internal rhythm and direction, an often overlooked necessity for singers. Stylistically, Hart often vocalizes without singing or teeters along its edge, increasing the drama of her performances and demonstrating an increased connection to the music. She also experiments liberally with vocal colors and sounds by adjusting her vocal and tongue placement (“Am I The One”). Emotionally, there is never a glimmer of daylight between what a song requires and what Hart is able to deliver.

Technically, Hart’s vocal skills are also sharp. As a blues singer and instrumentalist, Hart is sensitive to the band supporting her, with her intonation consistently centered and rarely faltering. Hart also demonstrates considerable fluidity, rapidly descending in the intro of “War In My Mind.” Her lower register is strong as expected, being dark, heavy, and tonally consistent with the rest of her voice. She also displays a surprising upper extension, rather easily reaching up to (at least) F#5 with a chesty sound. While she often pulls chest for texture, she has also shown that she can brighten her sound by blending with her head voice (“Leave The Light On”).

Hart’s strong vocal technique is perhaps surprising to initial listeners due to its distinctive rasp and her use of vocal drives. These qualities have been present in Hart’s voice since her major-label debut in 1996 at age 24, suggesting that this is not the product of years of vocal damage but rather the side effects of drug use.^[3]Hart began drinking and smoking at the age of 11. The use of some drugs can cause the mucous membranes protecting the vocal cords to degenerate, and potentially lead to conditions like Reinke’s … Continue reading Her vocal drives also seem to be executed without strain by using the false folds above the vocal cords to distort, given that she can simultaneously growl with vibrato and maintain her tone. By and large, Hart’s technique appears healthy: while she pushes voice for dramatic climaxes, she compensates with good vowel choices and mouth shaping.^[4]BethRoars, Vocal Coach reacts to Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa – I’d Rather Go Blind (Live). For example, Hart goes for “sha” instead of “shy,” a more open vowel … Continue reading

Overall Hart is a talented rock vocalist with incredible musicianship and solid technique. This combination along with her one-of-a-kind vocal quality makes her voice unlike almost any other.

What do you think of Beth Hart’s voice? Would you add anything to our analysis? Let us know by commenting below!