Does Hitting High Notes Really Matter in Singing? | People’s Press PH

By Kemberly Resentes | Philippine People’s Press

In the evolving world of music, many young artists and dreamers continue to ask: is singing all about hitting the high notes, or is it about the emotion one pours into each line?

High notes are undeniably captivating. They draw gasps from audiences and often define the climactic moments of a song. However, they are not the essence of what makes a performance memorable. At the core of every powerful rendition is sincerity the ability to communicate something real. When the lights dim and the applause fades, what remains is how the performance made us feel.

The Pressure Behind the Power
High notes are often treated as the gold standard of singing. Singing competitions build anticipation around the “birit” moments. Songs such as Whitney Houston’s I Have Nothing or Regine Velasquez’s On the Wings of Love have become legendary for their vocal peaks.

But achieving that level of performance requires years of training and discipline. Not every voice is meant for those heights, and that is perfectly acceptable.

Dr. Elizabeth Blades, a respected vocal coach, writes in A Spectrum of Voices that “the most meaningful performances often come from subtlety, not force. The ability to move people is the true measure of a singer” (Blades, 2017).

A Nation of Voices
The Philippines is globally recognized as a powerhouse of vocal talent. Institutions such as the Berklee College of Music and publications like Rolling Stone have acknowledged the country for consistently producing emotionally powerful singers (Berklee, 2022; Rolling Stone, 2023). This has led to a national standard where hitting high notes is often perceived as a requirement for excellence.

But singing is not one dimensional. There is more to artistry than vocal range.

Different Paths, Same Passion
Not all singers are built for contests or stage competitions. Some perform nightly in local bars and community events, using their talent to support their families. Others are independent musicians creating original work from their bedrooms, without professional equipment or label backing.

In many parts of Mindanao, artists are not just performers. They are breadwinners. They carry the weight of their family’s hopes, balancing their passion with practical responsibilities. For those who can sing with both range and deep emotional connection, that is a rare gift. But even those who do not reach the highest notes still have immense value if they sing with honesty.

Rethinking Covers
Cover songs are a staple in many artists’ repertoires. However, many feel pressure to match or surpass the original. The truth is, a meaningful cover does not require perfection. It requires authenticity.

Across Mindanao, local artists breathe new life into songs we have all heard before. Their interpretations resonate not because they are technically superior, but because they carry emotional truth. When a song is sung from lived experience, it becomes a different kind of powerful.

The Soul in Original Songs
Original music is often the most vulnerable form of performance. The artist is no longer interpreting someone else’s story. They are telling their own.

Independent musicians in the region write about real life experiences lost love, personal struggles, family sacrifices, and unshaken faith. Their songs might not reach the mainstream or follow familiar formats, but they carry the voice of the South. They echo the realities of the everyday Filipino, unfiltered and unadorned.

As one local artist shared during a community gig in 2024, “I don’t have the voice to shake arenas, but I have a voice that knows what pain feels like. And I sing for those who do too.”

Emotion Before Perfection
Everyone has that one song that comforted them through difficult times. It was not always the most technically complex. But it felt real. And that is what mattered.

In a digital age that rewards volume, virality, and vocal gymnastics, it is easy to forget that the simplest performance if it is sincere can be the most healing.

A Voice from the South
Kemberly Resentes, an OPM and recording artist from Mindanao and the author of this feature, shares her insight from years of experience.

“Dili kinahanglan taas imong tingog para maminaw ang tawo. Usahay, ang tingog nga puno sa tinuod nga pagbati mao’y makapahilak, makapasmile, ug makapalig-on sa mga maminaw,” she said.

Translated: “You don't need to hit the highest notes for people to listen. Sometimes, a voice filled with genuine emotion can make others cry, smile, and feel strong again.”

She added, “The Philippines is known worldwide for its powerful singers, and that makes us proud. But we should not forget that the heart behind the voice matters even more than its range.”

For Aspiring Singers
Whether singing onstage, recording in a makeshift studio, or simply humming in one’s room, every voice has meaning.

Trends, expectations, and performance pressure may try to define what good singing is. But real music comes from truth. And when a song is sung with honesty, someone out there will feel it. Perhaps it might even help them heal.

References
Blades, Elizabeth. A Spectrum of Voices: Promoting Vocal Health and Expression. Scarecrow Press, 2017.
Interview with Kemberly Resentes, Mindanao People’s Press, 2025.
“Vocal Power vs. Emotional Power.” Music Matters Blog. Retrieved May 2025.
Berklee College of Music. (2022). “Top Countries with Emerging Vocal Talent.”
Rolling Stone. (2023). “The World’s Greatest Singing Cultures.”
Community Artists Open Mic. (2024). Local Gig Quote.

Philippine People's Press | In Truth We Prevail