Tessitura

Tessitura refers to the range of pitches within a singer's vocal range that are the most comfortable and efficient to sing. It represents the part of the vocal range where the singer can produce notes with the best tone, projection, and endurance.

While vocal range refers to the entirety of notes a singer can produce, tessitura focuses on the notes a singer prefers to use and that are best suited for sustained performance. It's the "sweet spot" of the voice.

A piece of music may lie within a singer's overall vocal range, but if it consistently sits outside of their comfortable tessitura (e.g., too high or too low for extended periods), it can lead to vocal strain, fatigue, and a less appealing performance.

The ideal tessitura varies depending on the individual singer, their vocal training, and the specific vocal fach (type) they belong to. Factors influencing tessitura include vocal cord size and elasticity, resonating spaces in the body, and breath control. Composers and arrangers should consider the tessitura of the vocalists they are writing for to ensure the music is vocally appropriate and allows for optimal performance.