The human voice is probably the most natural of all musical instruments. Each person's voice has a particular quality, character and range. The standard designations for vocal ranges (from highest to lowest) are soprano, mezzo-soprano and alto for women. Vocal ranges for men are designated as tenor, baritone and bass.

Throughout history, the human voice has served as a model for builders of instruments and the players themselves. They both have sought to transfer the lyric beauty and expressiveness of the human voice to their instruments. A singer today is still praised for having a singing tone. Chopin taught his pupils that "everything must be made to sing."