The University of Memphis Countertenor Mikah Meyer

[jimdivax]

He's a Falsettist, not a Castrati...and that's OK. If you sang like the true Rennaissance Castratti in super-high 'full voice' like e.g. Farinelli, you would also speak in this voice. That's what happens when you take a boy's bits away. But who cares? He still sounds lovely and has a very good use of his 'whistle'-range. But there are MANY even more incredible 'Counter-tenors out there. Youtube's full of them!

[onaga510]

See, now this is bothering me. He sounds like a falsettist. He has the mickey mouse tone. I trust the experts, the multiple experts I guess. I just wish he didn't have that tone. I'm aware of other true countertenors who are not falsettists, like Craig Owens, he sings in the range, but does not have that mickey mouse tone. Is he a falsettist, or a true countertenor singing in full voice?

[geneforeman]

Anthony Green & Cove Reber must be countertenor to the highest power then.

[ultimage7]

I don't see what's so special in him. He's just a countertenor o_O.

[creamyfilling102]

so they "modified" men to sing higher.....by doing what exactly? as the name implies, they, casterated them??? and they were considered "cool"?

[AadenIgnition]

This is kind of depressing to me. I wanted to be a countertenor because i despise singing low, but if i am going to sound like this then I'd rather just not sing ever again. He's not bad, I guess, but i like MY voice. :(

[eyeshowyou]

wow...great countertenor!

[clarkartsltd]

He is not a falsettist. He is not using only using head sounds, but using full voice. He is a true countertenor and a fine one. I would love to hear him sing Handel and Purcell.

[telucis1]

~LOL~ I doubt that Mikah is going to make jaws drop overseas.

[ZeEk1596]

Falsetto amazing lol

[nickburton917]

Lift you soft plaid there is NO spin in your voice

[Heatseaker19]

haha this guys voice is so high haha

[Hellsing691000]

ahmm can someone help me. . . im a countertenor to. . . my problem is my pitch , i have a female pitch. . . and i cant sing a deccent song with my full voice because of my pitch . . i want to develop the thickness of my full voice . . what kind of exercises or practises do i need to undertake to improve my needs plsss i need some advice

[blondie9999original]

A beautiful voice is a beautiful voice-- and it doesn't matter whether the vessel is male or female.

[TheFly212]

ok so is this falsetto or not.

[orlando098]

Often though, it's a choice as to whether you sing CT or tenor/baritone. It's a question of a singing style and training choice more than being one to the exclusion of the other by nature.The CT sound just uses the head resonances more and a lighter style of production.

[orlando098]

It's pretty odd they cite Elton John and Annie Lennox as typical RCM graduates ?? I like how this guy sounds. He sounds very natural in this range to me. Part of the reason he doesn't sound like a typical CT here though, as has been mentioned, is that he's not singing classical repertoire. As for reaching a top C, that is not " freaky" for a high countertenor I would say, though having a nice one is not that common I don't think. " Sopranist" ones are the minority compared to alto ones.

[MrDarknesslover]

el no es contratenor.. para mi es un tenor ligero.. que usa mucho falseto!! solamente escuchen su voz hablando.. los contratenores no hablan asi!

[crazycellist973]

I love seeing a fellow counter-tenor do something great =)

[Wally773MTG]

this kid is no music historian thats for sure. I sure hope he blends well and can read like a mother fucker if he's expecting a job in an English choir.

[Acoontey]

I actually want to sound like this guy. I'm a bass and I really wish I was a tenor...well...maybe I don't want to be a counter tenor...

[ryguy8098]

His technique is not solid. I feel like I've seen him before. I went to school in Nebraska and he looks so familiar. 

[Mrchoralmusiclover]

Wow what a fabulous musician!!! Love countertenors I am a contertenor myself.. It's awesome. I want to hear more of your stuff if possible.

[GeminiAmbience]

This is poor information about the counter-tenor voice - and this gentlemen's technique is very lacking. I don't hear any traditional head voice placement - it's all coming from his chest. Totally contrary to the techniques I was taught. Still, he has good potential, but his voice placement (at least at the time of this recording) is very weak.

[musiqboy3989]

I'd like to note that he's singing..."Give me Jesus"... such a beautiful song....

[basementsinger]

I LOVE YOUR VOICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Im jealous, lol Amazing voice, very controlled and pure. Keep it up, can't wait to see you on stage! :)

[adrienbeffa]

Good singer but really not the best!! Let him listen to real countretenor like Philippe Jaroussky or Andreas Scholl!!! They have a much higher level and incredible better voices!!! Keep going and perhaps you'll become a real siner... but there is still a lot of work!!!

[guvthepianist]

Unfortunatley England is full of superb and a lot better counter-tenors! His information as highlighted below is also incorrect!

[seandingley]

Secondly, the falsettist did not take over from the castrati in the 18th and 19th century, the falsettist was an outcast, only singing in church where women were not allowed. Women covered the castrati parts and it is only after Deller in the 40s that falsettists sprung up from the woodwork and started singing the Handel operas and oratorios that had been so popular with the castrati!

[darmstrongx92]

@seandingley It sounds like you know what you are talking about, but I would like to ask a couple of questions so that I can fully understand. 1) Does a countertenor NOT have a wider range than a tenor? 2) Do they utilize a strong falsetto to achieve those pitches as opposed to chest/mixed voice? 3) If a countertenor is not a male who can sing higher than a tenor, then what would be the correct term for such a person?

[seandingley]

@darmstrongx92 The problem is that you are confusing a modern countertenor and an historic one. An historic countertenor is a tenor, no difference in range, just counter to the tenor. A modern countertenor is a falsettist, but that does not make it the historically accurate voice. Modern countertenors do not like to mix chest and head voice unless entirely necessary. The correct technical term for a modern countertenor is either "falsettist" or "male alto". Hope that clears things up a bit

[darmstrongx92]

@seandingley Very much so. Thanks!

[okebaram]

@darmstrongx92 The correct answer is that there are many countertenors who sing in full-mixed voice, and there are many countertenors who sing in legit/strong falsetto/head voice. Also countertenor does in fact primarily mean higher than tenor, by English definition. Just look it up in the dictionary. However the practical usage depends on the institution and the way they use it. Some countertenors don't have a wider-than-tenor full voice range, but have a wider head voice range.

[mistatomsom]

@seandingley

hear hear!!

[Taenyr]

@seandingley I wouldn't call the flasettist an outcast, though - falsettists have been common for a long time in all-male SATB choirs (especially prevalent in the choral tradition of England). However, Alfred Deller was the one to make the falsettist counter-tenor a soloist Fach.

[seandingley]

@Taenyr True. I think the point I was trying to make was that the voice was shunned and hardly popular, often avoided for solo parts pre-Deller and openly ridiculed. I can't remember the exact quote, but even after Deller had risen to fame, he was openly mocked by a professional orchestra!

[seandingley]

I have a couple of things to say:

Firstly, 'countertenor' does NOT mean higher than tenor, it literally means 'counter to the tenor'. It comes from plainchant where the tenor would hold the tune and the 'countertenor' (contratenor) would harmonise around it (above AND below), and more importantly, it was essentially a broken voice. The term countertenor was adopted by Tippet and Deller in the 1940s to re-brand the outcast falsettist and popularise the voice.

[abercromegan]

@seandingley ok but wheres the other thing you were gunna say?

[seandingley]

@abercromegan There are two comments, (see highest rated comments). I couldn't fit everything into one post!

[DanielAvilaAGT]

@seandingley Did you not just watch the video? A lot of music people would disagree with you, i disagree with you. Win me over

[seandingley]

@DanielAvilaAGT disagree with me about what exactly?

[bardstorm]

@seandingley you're wrong

[seandingley]

@bardstorm Thanks for your opinion. Any justification?

[bardstorm]

@seandingley Of course

[okebaram]

@seandingley Yes it does, according to the dictionary. People need to understand the difference between the technical definition of these kind of words (which was the guy's point), and the broader use of those terms in classical institutions before declaring people wrong. Because I see this all the time. Classical is neither the first nor only genre of music, and even in classical, many institutions hold the definition of countertenor to be its traditional meaning: higher than tenor

[tacv]

@seandingley That´s not correct. Countertenor is indeed the highest male voice, higher than tenor. Even the lowest countertenor is higher than a tenor, and some countertenors even sing in a soprano tessitura (sopranist). So your comment is very wrong.

[seandingley]

@tacv You are correct, a modern countertenor is the highest male voice, but I am not talking about the modern countertenor. The historical countertenor (pre-1650) was a first tenor, not a falsetist, but a high broken voice. There is a major difference between the two and it would be foolish to mix them up.

[CriterionCoIIection]

@seandingley give the guy a break...he went to U Memphis

[Taenyr]

@seandingley Agreed. In three-part medieval music, there was the tenor, who held the melody (hence the name, from the Latin "tenere," "to hold"); there was the contratenor altus, literally "high counter-tenor," who harmonized above (and from this we have the modern vocal part "alto"), and the contra-tenor bassus, literally "low counter-tenor," who harmonized below - and from this we get the modern "bass."

[Gwynsek]

Wonderful!!!

[Gwynsek]

Wonderful!!!

[SergioFloresa]

God, you are so talented..... if you ever get to England... and have the chance to stay. Please, do. I wish you all the best in the world... and if you get a chance to visit Sweden... specially in the summer... you are more than welcome to visit.

[Guichotpresident]

love the opening line!!! "Im in the business of making jaws drop!" Love it, keep doing what you're doing Mikah!

[alexQuantizes]

awesome!

[VASINGER]

Hes not flat at all. Tone is subjective.

[okebaram]

@VANSINGER all things being equal, the range gets smaller as one gets older, but for a singer, technique also gets better with age, subconsciously. Improved technique takes the range up. For some, that climb back up is higher than the loss of range at the 3rd change in the voice. Result is a higher voice. But for many, their peaked technique will be less than cumulative range loss by the 3rd change, especially when their natural voice types cause a more severe range-loss... continued

[VASINGER]

@okebaram Actually, range should improve with age. A young singer from teens to mid 20s will have a more limited range. For most singers (at least male singers), around age 30 is when the range opens up more.That is the prime of voice from age 30-60. In old age, a person can still have great range, just that a 70 year old must take much more care and nurturing of the voice than a young 30 year old.

[okebaram]

@VASINGER Actually, all things being equal, natural range capacity (range not power) declines w age due to changes in the vocal chords. However, things don't stay equal: continued practice & adaptation for singing and speech for both singer and non-singers, especially singers, causes the range to open up more via change in placement & technique that increases the mixed/mixing ability of the voice. The result is that range OFTEN but NOT ALWAYS increases with age between puberty & middle-age.

[okebaram]

(#2 @VANSIGER) ... There is probably a height in your own range, as you go higher, when your voice crosses into to a softer tone. The reason you were a baritone before is because you couldn't cross into that area, and you couldn't blend that flexibility & softness into the rest of your voice, like you do now. But now you probably mix both areas throughout your voice, giving you a seamless voice and allowing you to discover parts of your range that really was there all along.

[JayFresh07]

yeah i can't wait till my voice fully matures.

[intonationstickler]

@VASINGER The term "flat" refers to intonation, not tone quality. And I'm afraid that intonation is not subjective.

[VASINGER]

@intonationstickler flat has nothing to do with tone quality at all. Flat is when the singer sings anywhere from a quarter to half step to a whole note (or several) below the desired note. Tone quality is something entirely different, and Im sorry if you thought thats what I meant. Intonation is subjective. Itonation is seperate from accuracy of note. Intonation is the internal phrasing of each note- i.e. delivery of the piece. How they sing it overall.

[intonationstickler]

@VASINGER

The 3rd definition of "intonation" in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary - the ability to play or sing notes in tune.

The 2nd definition of "intonation" in the HarperCollins Encyclopedia: a. the correct or accurate pitching of intervals

b. the capacity to play or sing in tune

The 5th definition of intonation in the World English Dictionary - the correct or accurate pitching of intervals.

Hence, I am right. Singing flat is singing below the accurate pitch, which refers to INTONATION.

[VASINGER]

@intonationstickler But the guy in the video isn't flat. Also intonation is the delivery of the voice , not just the accuracy of pitch. Those are separate things. I already said that singing flat is singing below the accurate pitch. Where did I not say that?

[VASINGER]

Is it possible for the voice to get higher as one gets older? I was a boy soprano, then by my late teens sang bass-baritone. Then in my 20s became a baritenor. Now at 30, I sing Tenor bordering on counter tenor.

[JayFresh07]

@VASINGER yes obviously. when your voice matures your range gets bigger. it usually happens around 26-30 years of age. My teacher at school's voice changed into high tenor (high c and above) when he was 28.

[okebaram]

@JayFresh07, read my response to VANSINGER

[Doubledecker191]

Do you guys not hear all the awards, medals and scholorships he was given because his voice is amazing... Don't compare yourselves to him unless you are also attending the Royal Acedemy of Music in London in the Spring.

[ALEXISVASSILIEV]

La voix est très intéressante! Merci AV

[scottmorrison26]

not gonna become a layclerk at westminster in a million years! there are soo much better countertenors in england!

[hesings]

hes ok not the best, i hear counters everyday, im a baritone and can produce a more polished counter than him

[uploadvideo128]

my brothers a countertenor and he can go way highter than him.

[okebaram]

How do you know how high he can go? He's range is ridiculous. I can tell from listening to his voice... he can go stupid high. That part about the teacher saying he's a freak was funny

[JayFresh07]

it's not fair.

[danielwills93]

ok, how do you get scholarships? things like this? I would need one to go to the Royal Acedemy, but dont know how to go about it?! Im young, talented and cant afford to study. :(  can anyone help??

[sasatoma]

i don't know why the most people here say that things of him! I like him! he has got a wonderful voice! really beautiful!

[doggy8dog]

Interesting. I to am a CT. I heard no music in his singing. The quality is nice but needs to be directed. London should do that for him. Has the RCM changed to RAcademyM?If I were he, I'd work to become a Fellow of the Royal College of Music. Graduating from there he'd definitely learn how to sing--music-- and not pretty, disconnected notes. & if he can hit high c(c6), that'd make him a treble not a CT. Let's hear a Dowland or Purcell piece.

[KrewsadA]

I think just because you can sing high doesn't necessarily mean you are a good singer. I myself am a countertenor and being a singer is all about emotion in the eyes, singing as if you are telling a story to someone because if you don't so that then people will not be interested but thats my point of view.

Keep up the good work.

[dbrel]

He needs a new voice teacher ... potential, but really really needs to change what is going on in the voice.

[wcgrad2010]

he's ok. i'm a senior in high school and i'm a better countertenor than he is. but good job

[oknape]

canta espantoso!!!

terrible!!

[Drelnis]

Well, you cannot compare a university singer with Jaroussky or Daniels.

But I do agree he is quite flat and bland, and no, you can't say it's because he's not singing the classical repertoire when his interview is all about castrati lol

[bastardtubeuser]

bring back the castrato, whats wrong with that ?

[TrebleB4Mi]

I hope that can lose the tension and let his voice vibrate. Good core talent but a long way to go.

[celestialbakura]

I agree completely!

[celestialbakura]

I agree. His countertenor voice is really pitchy and akward.  And I hate how this video is marketing countertenors. Its not really a big deal if a person can use their falsetto, nor is it truly amazing. I mean good singing is, but in the classical world it should be viewed as normal. This video is so awkward about it. I wish he were singing a Baroque piece or something...

[firebreathone2]

He certainly made MY jaw drop. I never knew my jaw could drop because of a demonstration of sheer mediocracy

[VASINGER]

Wow, you sure do think a lot of yourself dont you? I think hes pretty darn good.

[firebreathone2]

I agree

[icidiots13]

He isn't singing in the classical genre, so how he is using his voice is fine. The first song was an old spiritual, which requires a completely different style.

[humpelberry]

totally agree

[eustazio]

he totally sounds american.... you are not bringing anything by your comment. he will get over his range with the lesson he will get in england.

[EarthWindFire82]

YEAH!

[luisortmul]

the last castrato died in the XX century man...

[clrntguy]

"I'm in business to make jaws drop."  Wowza, but indeed, congratulations.

[NEELYCLAIRE]

omg Mikah!!!! you were my tour guide at the voice workshop preview day! youre awesome :) all the best of luck!

[dakarai]

Simply amazing, Mikah!

[mradaChris]

I so love to see this! Mikah reminds me of me when I was his age! Didn't know about countertenors then. That is almost 30 years ago. Good luck young man!

chris

[lafayetter]

Great Mikah, I wish you the best.

[laurenmoe]

You rock, Mikah!! :) - Lauren