Ever wondered how some singers are able to hit high notes and do it consistently?
It is a joy to watch and listen to such music
The other day, I was watching one of the singing competition reality TV shows with my wife when this contestant came on stage and blew my mind
She had a high octave range and was holding it consistently that it was just a joy to hear her sing.
After the show ended, I kept asking myself if there were other famous singers out there – singers with 5 octave range or even highest octave range.
So in this article I decided to compile all of them and bring you my top 15 singers with 5 octave range that can really hit that high note.
1. Mariah Carey
Now when it comes to hitting them high notes and doing it easily, I do not think there is anyone out there better than Mariah Carey
With her unique 5 octave vocal range and her ability to get to 7 and switch things around, it should come as no surprise that she tops this list.
She has been known to hit the highest, most ear piercing note of all time and make anyone in the vicinity’s hair stand on end.
This is also her unique signature called a whistle register and should simply not be tried at home.
She clearly deserves to be number one on this list and has the voice and talent to back it up.
2. Christina Aguilera
The first time I heard Christina sing, I was simply awed at the way she could easily hit the high notes without any issues.
She had this unique, clear and smooth voice that helped her sing without difficulty anytime she wanted.
Known for her powerful belting, her vocal range spans 4 octaves
But what is even more impressive is her vocal dexterity that allows her to switch between octaves easily.
3. Hayley from Paramore
Both Hayley and her voice are known for their versatility.
With her 4-octave range and a voice that possesses a beautiful mix of edginess and girly smoothness, it is hard not to love this singer.
Her voice is well connected throughout all registers, with lower notes that are dark and well controlled, however, her strongest vocal asset can be heard as she ascends to her characteristic roaring, ear-splitting high notes.
Hayley’s sharp tone as well as her excellent breath control – allowing her to head bang and both hold high notes for long – makes her one of today’s top live performers
4. Celine Dion
Whew – this is one singer that when she opens her mouth to sing you feel like you are listening to an angel sing.
I remember watching and listening to the Titanic soundtrack and It was the most pleasing song I have ever heard.
Her 5 octave vocal range and even the ability to reach E6 paired with the skill of projecting her voice in all registers, thus allowing it to pierce through the heaviest of instrumentations, has earned her a multitude of awards and sold out shows worldwide.
5. Beyoncé
Everyone knows or have heard about Queen B and her vocal ability just makes her much more of a great singer
She has a high octave vocal range which is clearly one of the strongest I have heard in the music industry.
Also her exceptional breadth and core support means that she can hold notes and also dance for a very long time without any issues.
This is why her stage and live performances are simply awesome.
6. Whitney Houston
Whitney was a great singer with exceptional vocal range that blessed us with incredible vocals and songs before her death.
I can’t forget the feelings I experienced when I heard her sing her classics for the first time.
Her vocal ability to hit high notes and hold that range for a long period of time was exceptional and unrivaled in the industry.
She had 11 number one hits during her time and even till date, her songs continue to bless and inspire future generations.
And if you are a true whitney fan, just like I am you will also agree with me that her acting in the Bodyguard movie with Kevin Costner was a hit.
7. Ariana Grande
Another 4-octave singer is Ariana Grande.
And what makes this female star especially remarkable is that she has no formal training. Although as a French Horn player, she already had a good grounding in breath control, the foundation for singing.
She also uses her whistle register to hit very high notes, a technique that can damage the voice and vocals if not done properly.
If you are looking for a way to learn how to sing like Ariana Grande, then check out this article I wrote here.
8. Freddie Mercury
Freddie was an exceptional singer with a high octave vocal range and could hit those high notes without any issues.
The ever so famous gay singer of Queen.
Freddy Mercury was considered a god among singers, and he had an amazing near 5 octave range, ranging from a bass’ F2 to a soprano’s F6 (which apparently kept increasing with the years passing), but what was most impressive was his ability to jump from one end to the other effortlessly, without having a strain on his voice.
He had amazing technique when singing, his tempo was never off and he was able to glide effortlessly from one registrar to another without any complicating issues.
9. AXL Rose
Ever heard about the Guns N Roses band?
Yeah AXL was their lead singer and he had a great voice to back up that position
Here is the interesting thing about AXL and his singing abilities.
He had the record for widest vocal range as a singer, beating Mariah Carey, a woman who would introduce her band by singing at the same pitch as their instruments.
He can sing from an F1 to a B flat 6, which is more than 5 octaves, and just a few semitones under 6 octaves.
Honestly, what impresses me the most is that this guy smokes which reduces your maximal range.
10. Michael Jackson
Everyone knows or has heard about the king of pop right?
Before his death, Michael was a great singer and dancer and could definitely hit the high notes numerous times without any issues.
One thing I found really interesting was his ability to sing and dance at the same time while maintaining the same vocal range.
It was awesome to listen and watch Michael perform
One of his greatest hits “Smooth Criminal” is a song that I can keep playing all day and will never get tired of listening to
Also his dance steps were pretty amazing
11. Pavarotti
If you like classical music and the awe and reverence it brings then you should no doubt have heard about Pavarotti
He is hailed as the world’s greatest tenor, and his impressive vocal range proves just that.
In his prime, the larger-than-life tenor could hit an F5 – that’s an octave and a half above middle C.
One thing I like about him is his awesome breath control and core strength when singing.
He had the unique ability to use his vocals to hold an audience captive for a very long time while also delivering incredible vocal performance every single time.
In My opinion, every single person should listen to Pavarotti sing and be blessed by his deep, rich vocals.
12. Elvis Presley
I dont think there is anyone who does not know or appreciate the vocals of Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley was an American musician and actor.
Known as “The King” He was mostly known for his number 1 singles including “Heartbreak Hotel” “Hound Dog” “Jailhouse Rock” “Love me Tender” Elvis debuted in the movie “Love me Tender” and focused less on his music and continued that way.
He had an octave vocal range of at least 5 and he could hit the high notes without any issues.
Listening to his greatest hits every time just makes me want to put on dancing shoes and sing along with him
He was a great singer with one of the best vocal ranges I have ever heard.
13. Bon Jovi
Now one thing I can confirm is that rock singers and musicians have some of the highest vocal ranges known.
And Bon Jovi simply confirms this
He had an awesome vocal range that was so well managed and he could easily hit all the high notes.
To actually hear his awesome voice, listen to his hit song “Living on a prayer” and see how he switches between keys easily
14. Prince
While not changing his name to something that cannot be easily pronounced, Prince was a vocal legend and singer that blessed us with awesome songs before he passed.
He had the best technique and talend when it comes to hitting high notes and could scream like his life depended on it.
He was a great singer that could hold a crowd spell bound for hours while entertaining them with his magical vocals and dance steps
15. Brendon Urie
Brendon Urie has a vocal range of 4 octaves and 7 notes as of 2016.
He’s obviously grown since then. He has a higher vocal range than both Cristina Aguilera and Elvis Presley.
He is one of most underrated singers of all time.
Not only does he have an amazing voice but he also is self-taught and knows how to control his voice.
He has been in a band since 2005, straight out of high school, originally as the guitarist. Brendon has natural talent and doesn’t need some mouth deformation to have a wider range.
