Frequently encountered in the [[common practice]], SATB style is a [[voice leading]] format that features four voices: soprano (S), alto (A), tenor (T), and bass (B). ## Vocal Ranges Vocal range refers to how high or low a voice can sing. While there is no universal consensus on vocal ranges amongst theorists, **Example 1** below shows some recommended ranges for class use. Note that each voice has a range of a 12th with the tenor’s range exactly one octave below the soprano’s. **Example 1.** Recommended vocal ranges for class use. ![[four-part voice leading example 1.png]] ### Tessitura *Tessitura* refers to the range in which most of the notes of a given passage or piece of music lie for a voice or instrument. In general, it is preferable for each voice’s tessitura to lie in the mid to low portion of their vocal range. **Example 2** shows two different tessiture for a soprano voice. The first encompasses the low to mid portion of the soprano’s vocal range whereas the second encompasses the high portion. This does not mean that one can never write for the high portions of each vocal range, but rather that one should do so sparingly. Extended high passages can be difficult and tiresome to sing. **Example 2.** Two tessiture for soprano voice. ![[four-part voice leading example 2.png]] See [[voice-leading rules]] and [[voice-leading errors]].