Vocal range of Sixteen Tons by Tennessee Ernie Ford
- Original key
- Em
- Range
- B2 – E4
Sixteen Tons spans 1 octave and 5 semitones. In the original key it fits a bass or 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 | Em | original key | Em shapes, no capo | B2 – E4 |
| Baritone | Em | original key | Em shapes, no capo | B2 – E4 |
| Tenor | Fm | 1 semitone up | Capo 1, Em shapes | C3 – F4 |
| Alto | Em | an octave up | Em shapes, no capo | B3 – E5 |
| Mezzo-soprano | Em | an octave up | Em shapes, no capo | B3 – E5 |
| Soprano | Fm | an octave and 1 semitone up | Capo 1, Em shapes | C4 – F5 |
Voice types are a rough guide: your own range can sit higher or lower than your type.
Find the right key for your voice
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Questions about Sixteen Tons
What is the vocal range of Sixteen Tons?
Sixteen Tons by Tennessee Ernie Ford goes from B2 to E4, a span of 1 octave and 5 semitones.
What key is Sixteen Tons in?
The original recording is in Em.
What key should a man sing Sixteen Tons in?
Bass: Em; Baritone: Em; Tenor: Fm.
What key should a woman sing Sixteen Tons in?
Alto: Em; Mezzo-soprano: Em; Soprano: Fm.
Songs with a similar range
- The Gambler Kenny Rogers · Bb2–E4
- Your Song Elton John · Bb2–Eb4
- Lean on Me Bill Withers · B2–G4
- Let Her Go Passenger · D3–E4
- Take Me Home, Country Roads John Denver · C#3–F#4
- What a Wonderful World Louis Armstrong · A2–D4
Sources: Musicnotes · how we measure
Musicnotes shows the notated range B3–E5; male vocal in treble clef sounds an octave lower