Why so high?
Posted by: Nime on 06 October 2004
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
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
pe-zulu
I have ordered online from bibliotek.dk.
About six CDs in all. Including "Dreams from the pleasure garden" amongst others.
I'll post my impressions when they arrive.
Many thanks for the kind suggestions.
Best regards
Nime
I have ordered online from bibliotek.dk.
About six CDs in all. Including "Dreams from the pleasure garden" amongst others.
I'll post my impressions when they arrive.
Many thanks for the kind suggestions.
Best regards
Nime
Excellent example greeny! Which raises another point. The use of musical instruments to achieve high notes. Logic suggests that the piccolo or garklein would be our favorite instruments if only the high notes were desirable.
But in fact it seems to be the contrast between low and high which is important. The sense of soaring above the normal register. It excites the senses. It seems important to have sung (or played) lower and then to swoop higher to obtain maximum effect.
Céline Dion reminded me of this only today on the radio with "Learn to fly". She really soars near the end of this track.
Nime
But in fact it seems to be the contrast between low and high which is important. The sense of soaring above the normal register. It excites the senses. It seems important to have sung (or played) lower and then to swoop higher to obtain maximum effect.
Céline Dion reminded me of this only today on the radio with "Learn to fly". She really soars near the end of this track.
Nime
quote:
Originally posted by pe-zulu:
Dear Nime (strange name, pronounced name, naime,or what, naijm (cockney english) or what.
I hope the 1300-style will appeal to you, and I am interested to hear about your reaction. You have to listen to it many times before answering.
Venlig hilsen (danish for friendly greetings)
I call myelf Nime simply because that was the pronunciation I used in my head for "Naim" for years. Until I finally heard it pronounced correctly at a Naim dealers. Previously, I had only read the 'naim' in Hifi mags.
Thanks again for the CD suggestions.
Med venlig hilsen
Nime