The Best Vocal Ranges

Gassage

Lots of stuff about this in the press right now.

Interesting list:

01. Mike Patton - 6 octaves, 1/2 note (Eb1 to E7)
02. Axl Rose - 5 octaves, 2-1/2 notes (F1 to Bb6)
03. Mariah Carey - 5 octaves, 1 note (F2 to G7)
04. Roger Waters - 4 octaves, 6-1/2 notes (B1 to Bb6)
05. Nick Cave - 4 octaves, 5-1/2 notes (B1 to G#5)
05. Bobby McFerrin - 4 octaves, 5-1/2 notes (B1 - G#5)
05. Ville Valo - 4 octaves, 5-1/2 notes (C1 to Bb6)
08. Siouxsie Sioux - 4 octaves, 5 notes (F2 to D7)
08. Tina Turner - 4 octaves, 5 notes (B2 to G6)
08. Roger Daltrey - 4 octaves, 5 notes (B1 to G5)
08. Lou Gramm - 4 octaves, 5 notes (B1 to G5)
08. Chris Isaak - 4 octaves, 5 notes (B1 to G5)
08. King Diamond - 4 octaves, 5 notes (E1 to C6)
14. Karen O - 4 octaves, 4-1/2 notes (B2 to F#6)
15. Prince - 4 octaves, 4 notes (E2 to B6)
15. Beyonce - 4 octaves, 4 notes (A2 to E6)
15. Damon Albarn - 4 octaves, 4 notes (B1 to F5)
15. Kate Bush - 4 octaves, 4 notes (B2 to F6)
15. Jim Gillette - 4 octaves, 4 notes (G1 to D6)
20. David Lee Roth - 4 octaves, 3 notes (E1 to A6)
20. Tom Araya - 4 octaves, 3 notes (G#1 to C#6)
20. Steve Winwood - 4 octaves, 3 notes (A2 to D6)
20. Brandon Boyd - 4 octaves, 3 notes (B1 to E5)
24. Jon Bon Jovi - 4 octaves, 2-1/2 notes (E2 to G#6)
24. Norah Jones - 4 octaves, 2-1/2 notes (A2 to C#6)
26. Peter Steele - 4 octaves, 2 notes (Eb1 to F#5)
26. Michael Bolton - 4 octaves, 2 notes (A2 to C6)
26. Jackie Wilson - 4 octaves, 2 notes (A2 to C6)
26. Grace Slick - 4 octaves, 2 notes (B2 to D6)
26. Alanis Morissette - 4 octaves, 2 notes (B2 to D6)
31. Minnie Ripperton - 4 octaves, 1-1/2 notes (Eb3 to F#7)
31. Matt Bellamy - 4 octaves, 1-1/2 notes (E2 to F#6)
31. Stevie Wonder - 4 octaves, 1-1/2 notes (E2 to F#6)
34. Steven Tyler - 4 octaves, 1 note (D2 to E6)
34. Burton Cummings - 4 octaves, 1 note (C2 to D6)
34. Dave Gahan - 4 octaves, 1 note (B1 to C5)
34. Serj Tankian - 4 octaves, 1 note (D2 to E6)
38. James Brown - 4 octaves, 1/2 note (Eb2 to E6)
38. Marvin Gaye - 4 octaves, 1/2 note (D2 to Eb6)
38. Christina Aguilera - 4 octaves, 1/2 note (C3 to C#7)
38. David Bowie - 4 octaves, 1/2 note (G1 to G#5)
38. Rob Halford - 4 octaves, 1/2 note (C2 to C#6)
38. Peter Gabriel - 4 octaves, 1/2 note (G1 to G#5)
38. Ian Gillan - 4 octaves, 1/2 note (C#2 to D6)
45. Paul McCartney - 4 octaves (B1 to B5)
45. Thom Yorke - 4 octaves (E2 to E6)
45. Freddie Mercury - 4 octaves (F2 to F6)
45. Brian Johnston - 4 octaves (A1 to A5)
45. Glenn Hughes - 4 octaves (D2 to D6)
45. Richard Page - 4 octaves (D2 to D6)
45. Geoff Tate - 4 octaves (A1 to A5)
45. Tim "Ripper" Owens - 4 octaves (B1 to B5)
45. Maynard James Keenan - 4 octaves (G1 to G5)
45. Eric Adams - 4 octaves (B1 to B5)
And a number of vocalists suggested by readers that didn't make the list:

Elton John - 3 octaves, 6 notes (E2 to D6)
Jeff Buckley - 3 octaves, 6 notes (F2 to E6)
Luis Miguel - 3 octaves, 6 notes (G2 to F6) (note: still being analyzed)
Daniel Gildenlow - 3 octaves, 6 notes (B1 to A5)
Devin Townsend - 3 octaves, 5-1/2 notes (C2 to Bb6)
Phil Anselmo - 3 octaves, 5 notes (C#1 to Bb5)
Morten Harket - 3 octaves, 4-1/2 notes (C2 to G#5)
Philip Bailey - 3 octaves, 4-1/2 notes (G2 to Eb6)
Mark Boals - 3 octaves, 4 notes (F2 to C6)
Cedric Bixler-Zavala - 3 octaves, 4 notes (G2 to D6)
Michael Jackson - 3 octaves, 4 notes (F#2 to C#6)
Myles Kennedy - 3 octaves, 3-1/2 notes (F#2 to C6)
Floor Jansen - 3 octaves, 3 notes (D3 to F6)
Roy Orbison - 3 octaves (E2 to E5)
Howard Jones (Killswitch Engine) - 3 octaves (E2 to E5)
David Ruffin - 2 octaves, 5 notes (E2 to C5)
Art Garfunkel - 2 octaves, 5 notes (G2 to E5)
James LaBrie - 2 octaves, 4-1/2 notes (D2 to Bb5)
Ronnie James Dio - 2 octaves, 4-1/2 notes (Eb2 to B5)
Bruce Dickinson - 2 octaves, 4 notes (E2 to B5)
Chris Cornell - 2 octaves, 4 notes (D2 to A5)
Geddy Lee - 2 octaves, 4 notes (E2 to B5)
Layne Stanley - 2 octaves, 4 notes (Eb2 to Bb5)
Stu Block - 2 octaves, 3-1/2 notes (E2 to Bb5)
Mika - 2 octaves, 2 notes (F2 to A5)
Sebastian Bach - 2 octaves, 1-1/2 notes (F#2 to A5)
Till Lindemann - 2 octaves, 1 note (G1 to A4)
Skin (Deborah Dyer) - 2 octaves (B3 to B5)



One of my faves is not listed- the incredible Lisa B Fischer of Rolling Stones fame who has been said to hit 6 Octaves- DO watch this clip....all octaves used! Amazing performance and so effortless. Scroll to 2.25- DO watch it. Increidble.

not_the_dj

Axl Rose?....not these days surely, he sounds bloody awful.

not_the_dj

...and what's written for Skin really confuses me!

Me no understand :-(

Gassage

Don't shoot messenger.

In any case, range has little to do with quality.

It's pretty much held that the finest male vocalist in history is Jussi Bjeorling. He had 3 octaves tops.

If you want to hear him, listen to this- with the sublime Baritone Robert Merrill. Music does not come finer.

monquixote

I'm assuming the list refers to their recorded output?

Gassage

monquixote said:

I'm assuming the list refers to their recorded output?

Not sure

Fair point though.

ICBM

Gassage said:

Don't shoot messenger.

In any case, range has little to do with quality.

Exactly. It's like rating guitarists by hand span.

Gassage

Proof is the kerfuffle about Beyonce, Carey and Aguillera. All three have such unmusical voices- awful to my ears, yet Neil Finn, a mere 2.5 octaves has one of the most musical voices I've ever heard. Glenn Tilbrook too.

Jussi Bjoerling reduces me to goosebumps and tears.....amazing. The Gilmour of phrasing in vocal terms.

randomhandclaps

ICBM said:

Gassage said:

Don't shoot messenger.

In any case, range has little to do with quality.

Exactly. It's like rating guitarists by hand span.

So are you seriously suggesting that wide-necked fat fingered guitarists aren't necessarily better?

Gassage

randomhandclaps said:

ICBM said:

Gassage said:

Don't shoot messenger.

In any case, range has little to do with quality.

Exactly. It's like rating guitarists by hand span.

So are you seriously suggesting that wide-necked fat fingered guitarists aren't necessarily better?

Fucking brilliant!!!!!

guitarfishbay

Gassage said:

Proof is the kerfuffle about Beyonce, Carey and Aguillera. All three have such unmusical voices- awful to my ears

I don't really like R&B female singers much, they're like vocalists answer to shred guitar with all the runs they do at times.  But Carey and Aguillera are/were (I haven't heard their recent output) fantastic vocalists, Christina especially.

Beautiful by Christina was the scratch take.  Incredible stuff.

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/q-dave-pensado/21106-christinas-headphone-bleed-beautifull.html

"Dave Pensado:

ONE OF MY FAVORITE IDEAS TO DATE

---

The song was about being beautiful and honest in EVERY way. That bleed is honest. It was one of the most honest vocal performances I had EVER heard. It was actually the scratch vocal. Christina still had the lyrics in her hand. She truly has THEGIFT.

"

Reverend

What about Tim Buckley? Didn't he have a 5 octave range?

Carey and Agupomtiddlypom do that awful acrobatic fake chain gang thing which is so cringe-worthy.

axisus

To me it's a bit like rating a guitarist by the amount of notes he can cram into a second. It might be impressive, but ultimately you get judges on the musicality.

My favourite singer is David Phelps. Not to everyones taste as he is firmly christian, but he has amazing power and range. 

dogload

I see no mention of Robert Wyatt either. He's demonstrated a wide range over the years.

richardhomer

Roger Waters? I would be surprised if his vocal range could be measured as an interval, let alone octaves!

Bucket

Mike Patton being at the top doesn't surprise me.

Rody Walker from Protest the Hero has a pretty impressive range too. He can go REALLY high and still belt it out, very powerful.

Phil_aka_Pip

They missed Cleo Laine

PolarityMan

Interesting list there, some that I probably wouldt have guessed too.

cruxiform

Sorry if this has been posted before, but I found it interesting.

mike_l

I'm sure Rob Halford, Tim "Ripper" Owens and Geoff Tate (before he fucked his voice) have wider ranges than stated.

 

Lixarto

Roger Waters? Really?