When we appreciate singing, we look at several aspects: timbre (sound quality), clarity (words are well understood), dynamics (intensity) and, of course, register (how high or low it is is able to sing). We also look at technical aspects such as the “chest or head voice”, being the natural register, and falsetto, being the highest register.

Developing the vocal range is a difficult job because, initially, all people have a completely different vocal instrument, shaped by various environmental circumstances and others such as our way of speaking, our health, emotional state, etc. And, of course , genetics that may or may not facilitate our ability to sing.

However, the register is not static and can grow or decrease, depending on the discipline and general health of the singer. It would also be difficult to say if studio recordings are the best way to define a singer's record, since the reality can be somewhat different from the produced and processed songs that reign supreme in the industry. This is especially evident in live performances, where it is not uncommon to find that some songs are toned down in order to be more comfortable for the artist. For this reason, we will only use live performances for this contest.

We will take as proof of the record not only songs, but also any recording that without interference shows the real voice of the singer, including social networks.

As a starting point, we will define what can be considered the record of a professionally trained singer:

Soprano: Do4 – Mi6 Mezzo-soprano: Sol3- Sol5 Alto: Sol3 - Mi5

Contralto: Mi3 – Re5

 

Billie Eilish: At two and a half octaves, Eilish may not be the singer with the highest register, but her voice has the advantage of having one of the best tonal colors in today's pop music scene. Her register mostly coincides with that of a contralto.

Grave record - Everything I Wanted (live from Mexico, minute 2.15): 

 

 

High record - No Time To Die (Brit awards, minute 3.28):

 

 

Falsete and whistle notes - Copycat (Summer Festival recap, 0.30): 

 

 

Christina Aguilera: With an impressive range of three and a half octaves, Christina is without a doubt one of the most vocally neat singers and it's not hard to see why she remains a benchmark when talking about outstanding voices. We could say that Christina's register ranges from the lowest note of a alto to that of a mezzo-soprano, if we consider that the register that she achieves with falsetto surpasses that of a soprano.

Grave record - Walk Away (Stripped Tour, minute 34):

 

 

High record - Lady Marmalade (Grammy 2002, minute 2,43): 

 

 

Falsete and whistle notes - Christina aguilera Whitle and Falsetto register (minute 6.54):

 

 

Tina Turner: One of the most charismatic and powerful voices the African American community has given. Tina may not have had the broadest range on this list, but she had a strong, charisma and passionate effect on each of her notes, characteristics that led her to be aptly named "The Queen of Rock & Roll" . The lowest notes she reached were higher than that of an alto and her high notes coincide with that of a mezzo-soprano.

Grave record - Whatever you need (Twenty Four Seven Tour, second 54):

 

 

Medium record – Overnight Sensation (minute 3.08): 

 

 

Falsete and whistle notes - Locomotion (minute 1.28):

 

 

Nina Hagen: Hands down the most outlandish genius on this list. Nina not only has an absurd register, she also boasts an enviable musicality and her versatility cannot be discounted. Metal, punk, jazz, blues… say a genre and Nina Hagen has probably explored it, always with humor and an unmistakable personal stamp. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, Nina can sing around more than five octaves! What makes her register her greater than that of an alto in low notes and a soprano in high notes.

Grave record – Tiere (minute 2.08): 

 

 

High record – Mama (second 39):

 

 

Falsete and whistle notes - Smack Jack Live (minute 1.25):

 

 

Ariana Grande: Ariana began her career as a singer and supporting actress on the Nickelodeon series Victorious. It would not be long before she launched her solo career and quickly became an international phenomenon. One feature that separates her from the others is the notes she hits with her falsetto, going as high as Eb6, and thus achieving a ridiculous four octaves of vocal register! She competing directly with Mariah Carey and Georgina Brown. Ariana possesses a privileged and peculiarly impressive voice, she reaches alto notes and reaches the highest notes of a soprano. This without considering her shocking falsetto technique.

Grave record - Ariana Grande Full vocal Range (Second 29): 

 

 

High record - Break free (Honda Stage at Iheart Radio Theater, minute 2.03):

 

Falsete and whistle notes - Ariana Grande Emotions (minute 3.08): 

 

Despite being a studio recording, there are home videos of her reaching as high as an Eb6. The highest note on the song “Emotions” is an E6, just a semitone up. Everything seems to indicate that it is perfectly possible for him to reach that note naturally.

 

Georgia Brown: The singer with the Guinness record for the highest recorded vocal range. She is said to be able to sing from G2 to G10, both so extreme that they are considered more frequencies than notes.

  Info from the Guinness record page: https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/greatest-vocal-range-female/

 

Despite not finding videos of the prowess of her voice, there are records of most of Georgia's spectacular vocal range, most of television shows. For obvious reasons, Georgia surpasses any conventional register and it would be absurd to pigeonhole her into one. Probably her biggest competition in this regard is Nina Hagen.

Grave record (minute 1.33) 

 

 

High record (minute 3.13)

 

Falsete and whistle notes (minute 9.57)

 

 

Mariah Carey: Mariah Carey is wildly flawless - her intonation, intonation, presence, and musicality have resulted in her unimpeachable reputation for vocal perfection. At a spectacular four and a half octaves, the ultimate pop and R&B diva maintains her reign. She is lower than an alto and she comfortably reaches the highs of a mezzo. Her falsetto highs and whistle notes from her are some of the most in-tune and broad on this list.

Grave record - You and I (Bet Walk Of Fame honoring Stevie Wonder, minute 1.11):

 

 

High record - Fly like a Bird (From The Adventures of Mimi, 3.10):  

 

 

Falsete - All your Mind (minute  4.26):

 

 

Do you know any singer with a wide range? Write to us!

 

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