Hitting a range of 10 octaves is an incredibly rare vocal feat that very few singers in history have been able to achieve. An octave represents the distance between two musical notes – for example, from middle C to the C note above it. The usual vocal range for most singers spans around 2-3 octaves. 10 full octaves is an astonishingly wide range that demonstrates an exceptionally flexible and powerful voice. So which vocalists in popular music have managed to hit notes across this broad 10 octave spread?
What is an octave in music?
First, let’s define exactly what an octave means in music. An octave represents the interval between one musical pitch and another pitch that is double or half its frequency. For example, the note A220 represents the A note that vibrates at 220 hertz or 220 cycles per second. The A note one octave above it would be A440, vibrating at 440 hertz. The note an octave below A220 would be A110.
Going up or down an octave doubles or halves the frequency of the note. But while the pitch changes, the notes are still considered to be the same letter note, A to A in this example. So the interval between the notes contains 8 white keys on a piano keyboard – that’s why it’s called an octave.
Octave equivalence
The human ear perceives notes separated by an octave as having a similar quality. This is known as octave equivalence. Notes from different octaves may sound very different in pitch, but they are still heard as having an equivalent musical function. This is why the same scale patterns and chords can be repeated at different octaves.
What’s a typical vocal range?
For most untrained singers, the normal range is around 1-2 octaves. This allows them to sing notes between the octaves based around middle C (C3 to C4) to the C an octave above (C4 to C5). Professional singers through training and natural ability can extend their range to around 2-3 octaves. This covers around F2/G2 on the low end to G4/A4 on the high end.
While sopranos typically have the highest ranges, advanced male singers can also hit notes in the tenor high C (C5) to soprano C (C6) range and beyond. Occasionally, singers exhibit extraordinarily wide ranges spanning more than 3 octaves.
Ranges of common voice types
| Voice Type | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Soprano | C4 – C6 |
| Mezzo-soprano | A3 – A5 |
| Contralto | F3 – F5 |
| Countertenor | E3 – E5 |
| Tenor | C3 – C5 |
| Baritone | G2 – G4 |
| Bass | E2 – E4 |
Singers with a range over 4 octaves
While a 3 octave range is considered exceptionally wide, several musicians have been identified as spanning 4 octaves or more:
- Axl Rose (Guns N’ Roses) – 5 octaves, 2 notes
- Mariah Carey – 5 octaves
- Adele – 3.6 octaves
- Elvis Presley – 3.5 octaves
- Prince – 4 octaves
- Michael Jackson – 4 octaves
However, there is often debate around some of these claimed ranges since they may rely on reaching very high notes at the extremes of their range that some argue were not well supported musically. Nevertheless, these singers have all demonstrated remarkable vocal flexibility and pitch control.
Extending vocal range
Singers can often extend their range through techniques like:
- Proper breath support
- Vocal resonance and projection
- Mouth and jaw positioning
- Muscle relaxation
However most pop and rock singers rely more on natural range ability.
Who has hit 5 octaves?
There are a few standout vocalists able to sing clear notes across around 5 octaves:
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is renowned for her wide vocal range, spanning 5 octaves from G2 to G7. Some of her highest falsetto notes are subject to debate, but her natural chest voice covers around 4 octaves with excellent control and power. She is sometimes referred to as the “Queen of the Whistle Register” for her virtuosic mastery of high notes in the 5th and 6th octave range.
Axl Rose
Axl Rose, lead singer of Guns N’ Roses, is respected for his large vocal range of 5 octaves and 2 notes, from F1 to F6. He can smoothly shift from a deep baritone voice up through the tenor, alto, mezzo-soprano, and soprano ranges. His style often combines guttural low growls and smooth, wailing high notes in the same songs.
Prince
Singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Prince was known for his wide vocal range spanning over 4 octaves. Some estimates place his range at nearly 5 octaves from G1 to D6, with excellent control throughout his range. His flamboyant performance style showcased both his deep and piercingly high voice.
Singers rumored to have 6 octave ranges
A few singers have reputations for extreme 6 octave vocal ranges, but these claims are controversial and difficult to verify:
- Tim Storms – G#1 to G#7 (claimed)
- Georgia Brown – G2 to G8 (not fully verified)
- Yma Sumac – E3 to F7 (debated)
Tim Storms has the Guinness World Record for widest vocal range at 10 octaves but the highest and lowest notes are not well substantiated. Operatic soprano Georgia Brown reportedly reached 8 octaves but this has not been completely confirmed. Peruvian soprano Yma Sumac became legendary for her 5+ octave range reaching very high notes, but the upper limits of her range are also questioned.
Extreme vocal ranges are controversial
Some of these extreme high note claims rely on whistle register vocal effects that may not represent a true sung tone. Full voiced notes around 4-5 octaves are generally considered more impressive examples of wide vocal range. Nevertheless, the ability to control pitch over 6 or more octaves is a stunning vocal accomplishment.
Who can hit 6 octaves?
Very few well-known singers have reliably demonstrated vocal ranges spanning 6 complete octaves or more. Some of the most prominent examples include:
Tim Storms
Tim Storms claims to hold the widest vocal range record at 10 octaves, hitting notes from G#1 to G#7. He is able to sing in a high soprano voice as well as extremely deep rumbles below the typical human voice range. However, the extreme highs and lows of his range have been criticized as electronically enhanced vocal effects.
Georgia Brown
Operatic soprano Georgia Brown was said to sing across 8 octaves, hitting notes from G2 to G8. However, her extreme high notes in the 8th octave have been described as screams and shrieks rather than controlled musical tones. Nevertheless, she demonstrated an exceptionally wide usable sung range.
Yma Sumac
1950s Exotica singer Yma Sumac became famous for her multi-octave voice, often described as spanning 5 or 6 octaves. Some sources cite her range as E3 to F7 or even B2 to F7. But the highest notes have been questioned as high yells rather than definable pitches. Still, she exhibited amazing vocal flexibility and control.
Is a 10 octave vocal range humanly possible?
Singing across the full range of 10 complete octaves seems beyond the normal scope of the human voice. A range that covers 10 octaves equates to around 140 keys on a piano keyboard. Reaching the extremes of a 10 octave range would require incredible vocal control and power. Some aspects to consider regarding a claimed 10 octave range:
- The lowest and highest semitones may be electronically manipulated or represent noises rather than musical tones.
- The lowest notes need to have enough volume and tone to be musically useful.
- The highest notes need to be clear sung tones with pitch stability, not just shrieks and screams.
- Blending chest, whistle, and falsetto registers is very difficult over 10 octaves.
- Maintaining smooth transitions across registers is unlikely over this large a range.
While amazing feats, vocal ranges over 5-6 octaves are often subject to debate on aspects like these. A well-supported and useful 10 octave singing range seems beyond normal human physiological vocal capabilities.
Physical limits of the human voice
There are physical limits to the notes the human larynx and vocal cords can produce. Extremes of larynx movement, vocal cord vibration rate, and air pressure ultimately restrict the pitches singers can reach and control.
Without manipulating the voice electronically, even the most gifted singers seem limited to around 6-7 octaves of range. So while astonishing singers with claims of extraordinary 10 octave ranges exist, there are good reasons to be skeptical of these extremes.
Conclusion
A vocal range spanning 10 full octaves is exceptionally rare and stretches the known capabilities of the human voice. While a few singers like Tim Storms can seemingly hit notes across this wide range, there are often questions around the musicality and authenticity of the extreme high and low notes.
Singers with well-documented ranges of around 4-6 octaves like Mariah Carey, Axl Rose, and Yma Sumac represent some of the most versatile voices in pop music history. Truly phenomenal singers possess the ability to smoothly transition across registers and octaves while maintaining control and vocal power.
But consistently replicating this feat across the breadth of 10 octaves is remarkably difficult. The physical limitations of the vocal cords and larynx pose significant barriers to producing usable and sustained tones at the sonic extremes. Still, vocalists with exceptionally wide ranges continue to amaze listeners with their musical gifts and inspire explorations of the boundaries of the human voice.