oversing

Oversing is a term used in music, particularly in vocal performance, to describe a situation where a singer attempts to sing at a pitch that is beyond their natural vocal range, leading to strained or unpleasant sounds. This can manifest in several ways, including a forced, thin, or wavering tone, or the inability to sustain the note at all.

Factors contributing to oversing can include insufficient vocal warm-up, poor vocal technique, or attempting to emulate a singer with a significantly higher range. It can also occur when a singer pushes their voice to its absolute limit for dramatic effect, sometimes intentionally, but often resulting in a loss of control and tonal quality. In professional settings, oversinging is generally avoided as it can damage the vocal cords and detract from the musicality of a performance. Vocal coaches often work with singers to identify their comfortable range and develop techniques to extend it safely and effectively, rather than pushing beyond it. The goal is typically to achieve a strong, clear, and resonant sound within the singer's natural capabilities.