Something that's puzzled me for a while...

[Ezmar]

So when speaking of Vocal ranges, what would be defined as a 3 octave range versus a 4 octave range? Would having 4 'A's be a 4 octave range, or a 3 octave range, since it spans only 3 octaves? ([A2-A3], [A3-A4], [A4-A5]). I'd think the second way makes more sense, but I've also read that a 3 octave range is average for the male voice, which seems a bit large by that second definition.

Anyone know for sure?

[MarkMgibson]

You would only have to be able to sing 3 A's: From A-G in three octaves. You may be able to hit the next A, but unless you can complete that octave (up to G), it wouldn't count as 4 octaves.

There's no way 3 octaves is average for the male voice. Professional male singers would probably average 2 octaves at best (not including falsetto). I don't think the average woman would have a 3 octave range either.

[Tituscrow]

Think of a fence. 4 posts, but only 3 gaps.

[Ezmar]

Originally Posted by MarkMgibson

You would only have to be able to sing 3 A's: From A-G in three octaves. You may be able to hit the next A, but unless you can complete that octave (up to G), it wouldn't count as 4 octaves.

There's no way 3 octaves is average for the male voice. Professional male singers would probably average 2 octaves at best (not including falsetto). I don't think the average woman would have a 3 octave range either.

Originally Posted by Tituscrow

Think of a fence. 4 posts, but only 3 gaps.

See, that's my question, is that how it's counted? For example, if I can go from G2 to B5, is that a 3 octave range? And what's the difference if a singer has range extremes, but not necessarily every note in between?

Without this knowledge, I can't be properly conceited about my voice!

[St Drogo]

Originally Posted by Ezmar

Without this knowledge, I can't be properly conceited about my voice!

[megafiddle]

Imagine a one octave range, for example A2 to A3.

It wouldn't make sense for a one octave range to be a single note.
Therefore, one octave, A to A.
Two octaves, A to A to A, etc.

[Musiclogic]

A 2 octave range is what is common for the average singer. 2 1/2 octaves for a trained voice, 3 Octaves is considered to be a very prized range and beyond 3 octaves is icing on the cake for professional voices.

3 octaves means you can cover 3 consecutive keyboard octaves from your lowest to your highest whole vocal tone (non falsetto)

[lowfreq33]

While we're talking about vocals...

Dies anybody know what the opposite of falsetto is called? By that I mean there's a technique I use sometime to get super low notes (like Oak Ridge Boys low), sort of feels like I'm cutting off my vocal cords in a similar way to falsetto. Just wondering if there's a term for that.