Preferred Vocal Range of Young and Older Adults: Implications for Music Therapy Majors' Clinical Training Experience

Abstract

Research has shown a variety of benefits when singing is used to meet therapeutic objectives for children and adults, ranging in help for pain, memory, lung ailments, mood changes, and reading skills. No research regarding music therapy students' preferred vocal range and the preferred vocal range of young adults, ages 18-29 has been conducted. It seems crucial to determine young adults' preferred vocal range to provide positive therapeutic singing experiences. The purpose of Study 1 was to determine differences in female music therapy and non-music majors' vocal range, and the purpose of Study 2 was to determine if music therapy students selected appropriate keys for young and older adult populations. The results of Study 1 indicate that music therapy majors have a significantly wider and higher range than non-music majors. According to Study 2, the majority of songs used in therapy sessions were placed outside of the vocal range of the participants.