Tenorbass
Tenorbass is a music term used to describe a part or sound that sits between the traditional tenor and bass ranges, often blending timbres typical of both registers. It is not a fixed category in standard vocal nomenclature, and its usage varies by composer, ensemble, and genre. In choral contexts, tenorbass parts may be written when a single singer is expected to cover lines that require both weight and lyricism, occupying the lower end of the tenor range while approaching the upper end of the bass range. In instrumental and electronic practice, tenorbass can denote a timbre or patch that combines warmth and resonance with a brighter, mid-range bite.
- Tessitura: flexible across the boundary between tenor and bass; lines may lie in the lower tenor
- Timbre: a blend of tenor brightness and bass fullness, sometimes with a warm, rounded resonance.
- Notation: may be labeled as tenorbass, or as cross-staff or divisi where one line is intended to
- The term has appeared in modern pedagogy and contemporary scores, but lacks a universally standardized definition.
- It is most common in discussions of extended vocal technique, mixed ensembles, and certain electronic or