Whistle register
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The whistle register (also called the flute register or flageolet register) is the highest register of the human voice, lying above the modal register and falsetto register. This register has a specific physiological production that is different from the other registers and is so called because the timbre of the notes that are produced from this register is similar to that of a whistle.
In some sopranos, the modal register vocal-production (the high head-voice part) may extend into what is usually thought to be the whistle register.[1]
Physiology and definition
[edit]The whistle register is the highest phonational register, that in most singers begins above the soprano "high D" (D6 or 1174.6 Hz) and extends to about an octave above (D7 or 2349.3 Hz). It is created by using only the back of the vocal folds. The lower part of the whistle register may overlap the upper parts of the modal and falsetto registers, making it possible for singers to phonate these notes in different ways. However, fundamentally, the whistle register is most commonly used to produce pitches above D6. As with the other vocal registers, the whistle register does not begin at the same point within every voice, and there are rare voices that can extend the whistle register much higher or lower than the range listed above. For example, most operatic coloratura sopranos can sing up to the "high" F above "high" C without entering into the whistle register.[1]
The physiology of the whistle register is the least understood of the vocal registers. Unlike other types of vocal production, it is difficult to film the vocal cords while they are operating in this manner as the epiglottis closes down over the larynx, and the resonating chamber assumes its smallest dimensions. It is known that when producing pitches in this register, vibration occurs only in some anterior portion of the vocal folds. This shorter vibrating length naturally allows for easier production of high pitches.[2]
Although the whole physiological production of whistle tone is not understood, it is known that when the lateral cricoarytenoid muscles are active but the transverse arytenoid muscles inactive, a triangular opening is seen between the arytenoids, the vocal processes contact each other, but the posterior parts at the apex do not contact each other. The exception to this would be if the vocal folds are not stretched, as stretching of the vocal ligaments abducts (moves away from) the vocal processes.[3]
Use in music
[edit]In popular music, the whistle register is used with more variety and to produce much higher pitches than are called for in classical music. It has mostly been used by female singers, with notable examples being Minnie Riperton,[4] Betty Wright,[5] Mariah Carey,[6] Christina Aguilera,[7] Ariana Grande[8] and Chante Moore.[9]
Some male singers can also make use of the whistle register, including Vitas,[10] Adam Lopez,[10][11] Axl Rose and Dimash Qudaibergen.[10][12] An Iranian man named Amirhossein Molaei holds the Guinness Book of Records title for the highest vocal note produced by a man (F♯8, 5989 Hz).[13]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b James C. McKinney (1994). The Diagnosis and Correction of Vocal Faults: A Manual for Teachers of Singing and for Choir Directors. Genevox Music Group. ISBN 978-1-56593-940-0. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
- ^ Lesley Mathieson; Margaret C. L. Greene (1 June 2001). Greene and Mathieson's the voice and its disorders. Whurr. ISBN 978-1-86156-196-1. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
- ^ Van den Berg, J.W. (December 1963). "Vocal Ligaments versus Registers". The NATS Bulletin. 19: 18.
- ^ Bogdanov, Vladimir; Woodstra, Chris; Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (2002). All Music Guide To Rock: The Definitive Guide to Rock, Pop, and Soul (3 ed.). Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 944. ISBN 0-87930-653-X.
- ^ Betty Wright (Oct 11, 2008). Betty Wright - Queen of Whistle Register?. YouTube (Video). 5:09 minutes in.
- ^ Vincent, Alice (May 6, 2015). "Mariah Carey: how she hits those highs". telegraph. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
- ^ Slezak, Michael (August 16, 2006). "The Essential Christina Aguilera". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
- ^ Sources:
- "Every Ariana Grande Song, Ranked: Critic's Picks". Billboard. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
- "Ariana Grande Brings Back The Whistle Note For Her New Song Imagine". Hit. December 14, 2018. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
- Campbell, Patrick (August 17, 2018). "Watch Ariana Grande pay tribute to Aretha Franklin on The Tonight Show". Don't Bore Us. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
- Gonzales, Erica (August 3, 2016). "Ariana Grande's A Cappella Version of "Into You" Might Be Better Than the Original". Harper's Bazaar. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
- O'Reilly, Allison (August 21, 2018). "Review: 'Sweetener' proves this is Ariana Grande's world and we're just living in it". Arc Publishing. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
- ^ "Top 10 Singers Who Can Hit Whistle Notes". WatchMojo. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ a b c "Whistle Register Singing Voice". Become Singers Vocal Coaching. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
- ^ "What Is Whistle Register?". Live About. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
- ^ "Реакция на вокал Димаша Кудайбергена вокального тренера Энди Дэвиса" (in Russian). Yandex News Russia. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
- ^ "Highest vocal note – male – Guinness World Records". Guinness World Records. Archived from the original on 2022-12-05. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
Further reading
[edit]- Brenda Jo Smith; Robert Thayer Sataloff (1 April 2013). Choral Pedagogy. Plural Publishing, Incorporated. ISBN 978-1-59756-535-6. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
- James A. Stark (2003). Bel Canto: A History of Vocal Pedagogy. University of Toronto Press. ISBN 978-0-8020-8614-3. Retrieved 26 July 2013.