Vocal range of Lean on Me by Bill Withers
- Original key
- C
- Range
- B2 – G4
Lean on Me spans 1 octave and 8 semitones. In the original key it fits a baritone voice without changes.
The best key for each voice type
Computed from the song's range and typical comfortable ranges. Capo positions use open chord shapes.
| Voice | Sing it in | Change | Guitar | Notes you'll sing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bass | A | 3 semitones down | A shapes, no capo | G#2 – E4 |
| Baritone | C | original key | C shapes, no capo | B2 – G4 |
| Tenor | Db | 1 semitone up | Capo 1, C shapes | C3 – G#4 |
| Alto | Bb | 10 semitones up | Capo 1, A shapes | A3 – F5 |
| Mezzo-soprano | C | an octave up | C shapes, no capo | B3 – G5 |
| Soprano | Db | an octave and 1 semitone up | Capo 1, C shapes | C4 – G#5 |
Voice types are a rough guide: your own range can sit higher or lower than your type.
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Questions about Lean on Me
What is the vocal range of Lean on Me?
Lean on Me by Bill Withers goes from B2 to G4, a span of 1 octave and 8 semitones.
What key is Lean on Me in?
The original recording is in C.
What key should a man sing Lean on Me in?
Bass: A; Baritone: C; Tenor: Db.
What key should a woman sing Lean on Me in?
Alto: Bb; Mezzo-soprano: C; Soprano: Db.
Songs with a similar range
- Piano Man Billy Joel · A2–G4
- Landslide Fleetwood Mac · D3–G4
- Let's Stay Together Al Green · C3–A4
- Sixteen Tons Tennessee Ernie Ford · B2–E4
- Suspicious Minds Elvis Presley · D3–G4
- Take Me Home, Country Roads John Denver · C#3–F#4
Sources: Musicnotes · Hooktheory · checked 2026-10-31 · how we measure
Musicnotes shows the notated range B3–G5; male vocal in treble clef sounds an octave lower