Hi

While listening to Maria Carey on the radio I had a thought that kept nagging at me.

Why is that pop stars of both sexes often sing as high as they can? Often beyond their natural range.

The odd thing is that natural comparisons with similarly high human voices. Like shrieking babies and screaming women. Aren't at all pleasant.

Maria Carey seems to be able to produce a real whistle she can reach so high. It's a shame her compass isn't made better use of with more interesting material.

The BeeGees joined an upward trend. But why would a bawling, be-bangled and be-chained, hairy 'metal' singer feel it necessary to shriek and squeal like a woman?

I have even heard of opera fans wishing the castrati (or castrates) were still knocking around.

What is this desire to reach the vocal stratosphere? What strange emotions does it conjure up in singer and audience to warrant the effort? And is the rising trend continuing ever upwards?

Regards
Nime

Dunno. All I know is that when Kiri Te Kanawa hits the high note on the second refrain of "Chi Il Bel Sogno Di Doretta", and then goes up from there, I get chills. Don't get the same feeling when Sammy Hagar tries for those notes, though.

I once heard a recording of Alessandro Moreschi (the "Last Castrato")... it was one of the eeriest noises I've ever experienced. (His Complete Vatican Recordings is available on cd, for the morbidly curious.)

Hey Nime

Look at it like this it's a fiendish plan to get rid of sub-woofers and substitute supertweeters

regards
Geoff

The boring old fart

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Originally posted by Geoff P:Look at it like this it's a fiendish plan to get rid of sub-woofers and substitute supertweeters.

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Excellent Goeff!

There are plenty of examples of jayd's type. Boy soprano with: "Oh for the wings of a dove" Banarama(?) has something on the radio that just goes up in a very strange way as if it were one voice. Shania Twain exercises herself on another one where she actually stretches herself.
I'm sorry I'm a bit vague onm titles here. Radio 2 Denmark deosn't announce what's being played between tracks. It's my only source of most pop music.

Is there some deep-seated psychology at work here? Where are the parallels with ordinary life?
I really like deep bass rumbles too! Sub 30Hz organ or film effects. Both do it for me!

So are we talking primordial, genetically-programmed memories of our cousins the whales and dolphins here?

Regards
Nime

ISTM that Mariah Carey sings high because she can. To my ears she sings lots of notes but not very much actual music. People who can sing high as well as carry a tune, it's not a problem. Technique but no content is worse than content but no technique (c.f. Bob Dylan), but content and technique together are great!

But most people just sing where they do, and in most cases that's higher than me (bass last time I sang in a choir).

Pete.

I don't know about this business of singing high but what strikes me when listening to current pop music is all the awful vocal gymnastics that singers employ. These vocal stylists are just plain excruciating IMHO.

Whatever happened to just singing the song?

Mole Man

quote:

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Originally posted by Nime:
The BeeGees joined an upward trend. But why would a bawling, be-bangled and be-chained, hairy 'metal' singer feel it necessary to shriek and squeal like a woman?

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Sounds like the lead singer of Cinderella to me!!!!

Yeah - the current pop vocal gymnastics do my head in - witness crap like Britney Speares, who sounds like she's growning in pain half the time. And then there's the awful mediocrity of people like Atomic Kitten.

I can't think why I rarely listen to radio (most classical doesn't do it for me, and talk radio sucks)....

__________________________
Don't wanna be cremated or buried in a grave
Just dump me in a plastic bag and leave me on the pavement
A tribute to your modern world, your great society
I'm just another victim of your highrise fantasy!

Don't get me started on the likes of Britney Spears, Atomic kitten, Christina Aguillera, Pink and all the other bimbo's whose music and appearence are tailormade for young girls to empty their bank account in the fastest possible manner. I know 'cause I've got two daughters (6 & 11).

Rob.

Interesting insight into the castrato:

http://www.usrf.org/news/010308-jenkins_lancet.html

[QUOTE] Is there some deep-seated psychology at work here? Where are the parallels with ordinary life?
I really like deep bass rumbles too! Sub 30Hz organ or film effects. Both do it for me!

So are we talking primordial, genetically-programmed memories of our cousins the whales and dolphins here? [/QUOTE

That's pretty heavy but an interesting idea. You could question an awfull lot in music. Fundementals such as:

How did music evolve?
Taken that it was just sounds intially, where did the split off from other communication sounds begin?
Was it intimate one on one communicatiokn as compared with group communication in man's early history?
Clearly the sounds that became early music where very different in different cultures.
What we now call european folk music sounds awfully different from Japanese traditonal music.
Did ancient music composers force the Castrati into being by writing music for eunuchs to sing?

One thing is for sure I prefer to have my insides rearranged by deep base to having my brain seared by screaming female pop singers.

regards from philosophical
GEOFF

The boring old fart

There does seem to be a backlash developing here towards the female poptarts. I'm not sure how much longer Britney Spears can get away with the lisping lolita rolling on the floor and showing her knickers show. Not with those thighs anyway! I hear she's taking singing lessons. Hope springs eternal!

Aguillera is a strange one. Vocal gymnastics on a par with Carey but with a hard edge.
"The voice within" is a remarkable display. Yet oddly irritating at the same time. Are they competing with each other or just showing off? Would you rather have either girl in a pop straight-jacket? Aren't they pushing back frontiers? Or something useful like that?

I think I've decided that singing high probably comes from our more recent ancestors. The apes. It probably just means it's mealtime in the jungle canopy!

Nime

kære nime
prøv nogle mere spændende musikalske bekendskaber

quote:

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Originally posted by pe-zulu:
kære nime
prøv nogle mere spændende musikalske bekendskaber

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English: Dear Nime, try some more exciting aquaintances?

Det gør jeg på CD tak. Næsten ubegrænset!

English: I do that on CD thanks. Almost unlimited.

Med venlig hilsen
With friendly greetings

Nime

quote:

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English: Dear Nime, try some more exciting aquaintances?

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I say old chap! Is "Mr zulu" implying that we are "boring old farts" hereabouts?



The boring old fart

quote:

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Originally posted by Geoff P:
I say old chap! Is "Mr zulu" implying that we are "boring old farts" hereabouts?

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After a couple of weeks of Aphex Twin and Squarepusher my wife certainly thinks I am! Thanks Rob!

Just to prove I'm a predictable (though still immature) old fart who only likes "easy listening": My pile of borrowed library CD's for this week include the first 3 Mahler Symphonies, Satie, Vivaldi, Satriani, Vierne, Virtuoso Trumpet and Michala Petri.

It's a difficult time of year. It's usually too cold for her to escape outside to her gardening. So musical choice becomes rather more critical than usual!

Satie took an early shower and we are now "enjoying" the Mahler 1st. But not for long I fear!

Regards
Nime

quote:

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But not for long I fear!

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You don't real mean that

The boring old fart

I'm a martyr to my music choice in the winter.
One has to be SO careful.

Nime

Dear Nime
Thanks for your ready translation. But you forgot the word "musical" (try some more exciting musical aquaintances).
I do not imply that you (or Geoff P) are boring
old farts, but all I wanted to say was: Forget about M.Carey and the like, they do not deserve your attention. And tell us a litle about music you like.
Venlig hilsen

quote:

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Originally posted by pe-zulu:
Dear Nime
Thanks for your ready translation. But you forgot the word "musical" (try some more exciting musical aquaintances).
I do not imply that you (or Geoff P) are boring
old farts, but all I wanted to say was: Forget about M.Carey and the like, they do not deserve your attention. And tell us a litle about music you like.
Venlig hilsen

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My sincere apologies for the absence of the crucial word. (I wish my Danish was remotely as good as your excellent English) But to completely miss that particular word was careless in this context.

It would be far easier to tell you what I hate. Since I like so many different kinds of music.

I detest rap, disco, modern jazz...I'm sure I can think of some more...

Regards
Nime

Dear Nime
You ought to choose the more difficult solution and tell us about music you like. I think of classical music in the broad sense. Since you apparently have got another approach to this issue than I, you might draw my attention to somthing I have overlooked.
Venlig hilsen