How do you find your own singing pitch?

[Red Devil]

Sorry if this sounds a really stupid question!
I know nothing about music and have never learnt to play any instrument, so how does anyone know what pitch you sing in yourself?
All I know is that I cant sing in the same high key as most female singers, for example Shania Twain. I find I can sing comfortably along with someone such as Elton John - his range (or pitch?) seems about the same as what I can reach.
Which singing type does this put me in?eek2:

[MrsTT]

Sorry if this sounds a really stupid question!
I know nothing about music and have never learnt to play any instrument, so how does anyone know what pitch you sing in yourself?
All I know is that I cant sing in the same high key as most female singers, for example Shania Twain. I find I can sing comfortably along with someone such as Elton John - his range (or pitch?) seems about the same as what I can reach.
Which singing type does this put me in?eek2:

There is a site I found here http://www.ehow.com/how_13671_find-vocal-range.html which may help.

[uptowngirl]

Its a fallacy when people say " I sing in the key of xxxx"

You may have a specific song that you sing in a certain key, but overall, each person does not have a key that they 'sing ' in

For example, I can sing all Amy Winehouse, Bette Midler, etc etc in Copy key........... however other songs I have to shift the pitch in order to suit my range.

Generally when singing 'male' songs, a female would raise the key, and vice versa for a male.

Hope this makes sense.

Without hearing you, I would hazard a guess that you are an alto. However, I don't even know if you are male or female lolool

[SuzyQ]

Thats right UG, we dont sing in a particular key. Shania Twain isnt a "high" singer, shes about average in terms of range. "High" singers, if you like, are the likes of Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Streisand. High doesnt necessarily mean best, look at Adele, her range is pretty deep but shes the one to watch at the moment so there you go.

[Red Devil]

Ok thanks - does that mean though that there are certain songs you would not attempt to sing, knowing they were out of your "vocal range" (not even sure if that's the word I'm looking for)
For example I could easily sing along to an Adele song but no way Mariah Carey!
I'm female!:D

[grumps]

Ok thanks - does that mean though that there are certain songs you would not attempt to sing, knowing they were out of your "vocal range" (not even sure if that's the word I'm looking for)
For example I could easily sing along to an Adele song but no way Mariah Carey!
I'm female!:D

No guns n roses for me...shame as i don`t get to do the guitar solo`s etc..

[uptowngirl]

Ok thanks - does that mean though that there are certain songs you would not attempt to sing, knowing they were out of your "vocal range" (not even sure if that's the word I'm looking for)
For example I could easily sing along to an Adele song but no way Mariah Carey!
I'm female!:D

So already being aware that Mariah Carey is out of your range, you would then, if you wanted to sing a song of hers, you would want the pitch shifting down.

So I reiterate, no individual person sings in the key of xxxx , it is dependent on the songs original key, as to which suits your vocal range.

Have a play about on youtube etc, and have a dabble