From Christianity to Islam, • The... From Christianity to Islam, • The Story of Joram Van Klaveren,
Elvis Presley is widely regarded as one of the most influential music artists of the twentieth century. His career spanned multiple genres and he was one of the first artists to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
His iconic voice has been the subject of much debate, but he is most commonly classified as a baritone.
Elvis was known for his deep, throaty voice, which many attribute to the traditional gospel sounds he was exposed to since childhood. He had an expansive range that allowed him to sing in multiple genres including pop, rock, country and gospel.
His slightly high tenor range and range of vocal timbres gave him unique versatility for a baritone. His vocal tone also had an undeniably unique quality, often referred to as the Elvis Presley “bark”.
Elvis’s voice was both powerful and expressive, allowing him to perform songs with great emotion. His singing style incorporated elements of the blues, jazz, and gospel genres and he often added special flourishes to his songs to make them even more unique.
Elvis is often noted for his outstanding vocal diction, in addition to his expressive range.
Throughout his career, Elvis released numerous iconic songs that showcased the breadth of his vocal range and skill. He was able to easily switch between rock, ballad, country, gospel, and pop genres as if they were all one and the same—proving the diverse strength of his baritone voice.
The King of Rock and Roll is still remembered for his one-of-a-kind vocal talent, more than four decades after his death.
FAQ
Did Elvis have a 3 octave range?
No, Elvis Presley did not have a three octave range. Reports of his vocal range have varied widely, but most have determined that his vocal range was a light tenor, in the approximate range of E2-G5.
This range is two octaves, not three. He was certainly capable of singing beyond two octaves in the studio, but his standard range for live performances was limited to two octaves.
It’s worth noting that his ability to sing beyond two octaves in the studio was through the use of multitrack recording and overdubbing. The majority of Elvis’ hits were recorded using multiple takes from multiple singers, most of which were Elvis himself.
By combining all of these takes together, he was able to create a sound that could span a much wider range than two octaves. However, even this was not a three octave range.
Did Elvis have a perfect pitch?
No, Elvis Presley did not have perfect pitch. Perfect pitch, also known as absolute pitch, is the ability of a person to accurately identify tones without the use of a reference pitch. While some reports and stories exist claiming that Elvis had perfect pitch, no scientific studies were conducted to attempt to verify his purported ability.
Instead, he is widely believed to have had a heightened sense of relative pitch, meaning that he could distinguish between different tones and sounds as compared to one another and was exceptionally talented at picking apart musical harmonies.
Furthermore, he applied this skill to singing, resulting in his signature sound and musicality. From the perspective of an observer, he may have appeared to have perfect pitch, but it remains speculation.
What singers can hit 7 octaves?
Mariah Carey is one of the rare singers who are capable of reaching 7 octaves. With her incredibly unique range, she has become one of the world’s most acclaimed vocalists and the best-selling female artist of all time.
Her single, ‘All I Want For Christmas is You’ established her place as one of the world’s greatest vocalists. Other notable pop singers with a 7 octave vocal range include Celine Dion, Ariana Grande, Christina Aguilera, and Lady Gaga.
Other than pop singers, there are other genres of singers with a 7 octave range. In the music industry, many vocal coaches and studios list the most acclaimed R&B and Gospel singers able to reach a 7 octave range.
Such singers include Minnie Riperton and Yolanda Adams. In opera, the most famous singers include Luciano Pavarotti and Elmer Iseler.
For years, theorists have debated over the physiological and psychological components behind singers having the capability to reach such impressive vocal ranges. Research has shown that good technique, practice, and proper breathing are just some of the methods for developing a 7 octave range, but it can heavily depend on the individual.
Who can sing 10 octaves?
Kris Garratt is believed to be one of the people who can sing 10 octaves. Kris, who hails from the United Kingdom, began singing as a child, always playing around with his voice to see what kind of sounds he could make.
As his talent for singing developed, he soon discovered that he could extend his vocal range to an impressive 10 octaves. His ability has earned him a spot in the Guinness World Records as the person with the widest vocal range, a feat he achieved in the year 2015.
Kris defines himself as “a woman with a deep chest register, massive falsetto, and a huge vocal range. ” He has had singing lessons, both personal and with a choir, and his teacher, Bjorn Zachrisson, has praised him for his “very curious and hardworking” attitude to singing and vocal training.
Garratt is adept at singing all kinds of music, from classical to jazz, heavy metal and even EDM. His low notes are full and strong, and his high notes are crystal clear and precise.
Kris Garratt is an inspiring musician, with his incredible range and passionate attitude to his craft making him one of the most talented singers in the world. He has inspired legions of singers who have attempted to match his range and tested the boundaries of their own voices.
How many octaves did Freddie Mercury have?
Freddie Mercury was famous for having an incredible four-octave vocal range. Starting from a C2, the low end of his range extended to a C6—the highest C note on a piano. His voice included head voice, chest voice, and a notable falsetto, enabling him to deliver powerful, varied vocal performances.
He could sing both with incredible strength and great nuance, in harmonic melodies or flamboyant choruses. Although his range was not quite as wide as Mariah Carey’s five-octave range, Freddie was nonetheless capable of tackling almost any genre of music with equal skill and aplomb.
His adaptability enabled Queen to record a variety of different songs—from hard rock in ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ to gospel-style a cappella in ‘Somebody to Love’. In short, Freddie Mercury’s incredible four-octave vocal range helped solidify Queen’s iconic status in the annals of rock music.
Does Mariah Carey have a 7 octave range?
Mariah Carey is renowned for her impressive range, though exact claims regarding the size and scope of it vary. According to Carey herself, she has a 5-octave range, while her vocal coach, Melinda Talmadge, has called it a 6-octave range.
However, there have been reports of Carey reaching notes as high as F7, which would technically put her range at 7 octaves. Additionally, the song “Meteorite” contains a whistle register note in the key of G7, which Carey can reach and sustain, further evidence that she is capable of a 7-octave range.
While many musicians have praised Carey’s voice over the years, there are some vocal critics who point to her use of melisma and vibrato as evidence that she’s “over-stretching” her range. Ultimately, whether or not Carey has a 7 octave range is a matter of interpretation, though it appears likely that she does possess the ability to reach notes that are of such a range.
Which singer has the most perfect pitch?
Determining who has the most perfect pitch is somewhat subjective, but there are a few singers that are widely regarded for having exceptional pitch. One of the best known singers with perfect pitch is Mariah Carey, who has the rare ability to accurately sing any note or hit any note with absolute precision.
Additionally, Lady Gaga is credited for her perfect pitch and was even described in 2009 by the The New York Times as “the rare pop singer with perfect pitch. ” She is known to be able to hit any note without the use of a vocal warm-up or tuning guide.
Other singers known to possess perfect pitch include Taylor Swift, Adele, and Christina Aguilera.
Who did Elvis say had the voice?
Elvis Presley is widely considered one of the greatest singers of all time. As such, he had a lot of respect for other singers who had powerful and unique voices. In particular, Elvis was known to sing the praises of Roy Orbison, and he often said that no one could touch Orbison’s amazing voice.
Elvis also admired artists like Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, and Jerry Lee Lewis for their strong vocal styles. Additionally, he was a fan of the gospel music he grew up with, and he credited the influence of the great Mahalia Jackson, who had a voice that was often described as “rich and soulful.
” Elvis also often showed appreciation for the great Indian-American playback singer Asha Bhosle, and he once famously declared her to have “the most beautiful voice in the world. ”.
What type of voice did Elvis have?
Elvis Presley had a distinctive and powerful voice that could range from a soft, gentle croon to a strong, raucous delivery. His singing style, known as “The King’s Voice”, was a mix of country, blues, gospel, and pop, and it was this unique mixture that allowed him to achieve great success in the music industry.
His voice had a substantially wider vocal range than many of the singers of his time, and he was able to adapt and use it to create different effects and styles. For example, he could go from a low soft drawl to a raspier combination of the two, and he could switch back and forth between the two effortlessly.
His vibrato was also distinctive, and he was known to use it to great effect in his performances, creating multiple layers of sound and emotion.
Due to its unique combination of different styles and a wide range, the vocals of Elvis Presley are classified as a “tenor-baritone” voice, and have been highly praised for their expressive, soulful, and emotive qualities.
How was Elvis so good at singing?
Elvis Presley had a unique vocal sound and music style, which is why he is considered one of the most influential singers of all time. His vocal range, musical sensibility and charisma on the stage made him stand out in a crowd.
He had the perfect combination of smoothness and power in his voice. His deep and raspy voice was able to hit high notes and convey emotion at every level. He was able to take a song and make it his own through outstanding improvisations and vocal runs, which dazzled the audience.
Even today, people recognize and appreciate his unique singing style.
Moreover, Elvis had a strong sense of musicality and beat. His ability to put together the perfect combination of beats and musical elements created a sound like no other. He had rhythm and could communicate the song’s story and meaning to the listener in a way that no other singer could.
Elvis was also a master of blending genres including rockabilly, country, gospel and blues. This meant that he was able to incorporate different styles into his music, and make it sound original.
All of these aspects combined made Elvis one of the most popular singers of all time, and contributed to why he was so good at singing.
Was Whitney Houston a Pitch Perfect?
No, Whitney Houston was not pitch perfect. While she had an undeniably stunning and powerful singing voice, her range and versatility did not lend itself well to the modern a cappella style. She had an impressive four-octave range, but it was often delivered in a very powerful, belted manner, quite different from the light, flowing pitch and tone favored by a cappella singers.
Houston was also known for her soulful, dramatic vocal phrasing, which could have clashed with the more syncopated and intricate sounds of an a cappella song. Furthermore, the kind of individualistic and robust vocal solos often featured in contemporary a cappella weren’t really in Whitney Houston’s repertoire – at least not in the way that an a cappella singer would be expected to deliver them.
Ultimately, though her legacy as a vocalist and pop music powerhouse will remain forever, Whitney Houston was not a pitch perfect a cappella singer.
Who is the highest pitch male singer?
The highest pitch male singer is an operatic tenor, capable of reaching notes three and a half octaves or higher. Some of the most recognizable and celebrated tenors of all times include Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo, and Enrico Caruso, who were all known to possess exceptional vocal ranges.
More recently, singers like Thomas Hampson, Juan Diego Flórez, and Michael Fabiano have demonstrated remarkable vocal technique and range. In 2018, German tenor Max Emanuel Cencic claimed the title of highest note ever sung by a man, reaching an impressive F7 (1300 Hz).
While this title may change in years to come, it is without a doubt that the highest pitch male singers will always be a few among the most talented of the opera world.
Who were Elvis’s favorite singers?
Elvis Presley was a fan of a variety of singers and musical genres throughout his life. He was particularly influenced by many of the country, blues, and gospel singers that he grew up with in Tennessee.
He also had a deep admiration for vocalists from other genres such as rock ‘n’ roll, pop, and jazz. A few of Elvis’s favorite singers included Bill Monroe of The Blue Moon Boys, an instrumental group Elvis first heard on the Grand Ole Opry; Jimmy Reed; Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup; The Weavers; Little Richard; Nat King Cole; and Dean Martin.
Elvis was also heavily influenced by gospel singers such as The Blackwood Brothers, Clara Ward, and Mahalia Jackson. Elvis was particularly fond of singers like Hank Williams, Sam Cooke, and Jackie Wilson, who blended elements of different genres, and fused gospel, rhythm and blues, and country.
In his various interviews and presentations, Elvis consistently expressed his admiration for these singers, saying that they were instrumental to the development of his own sound.
What did Elvis mom call him?
Elvis’ mother Gladys (or “Loving Mama,” as Elvis called her) called him “Son” or “Little Man. ” She doted on him and was always very affectionate. Growing up, Elvis’s parents Gladys and Vernon Presley often indulged him in his musical interests, and Elvis called his mom his first and biggest fan.
She even attended many of his concerts and performances throughout his career. As he became more famous, Elvis would sometimes introduce her as “Mrs. Presley,” and would quip during shows that his mom was in the audience.
As Elvis grew into a global superstar and icon, many things changed in his life, but his love and respect for his mother remained constant.
FAQs
Did Elvis Presley have perfect pitch? ›
He pointed out that despite an impressive vocal range of two and a half octaves and something approaching perfect pitch, Elvis was perfectly willing to sing off-key when he thought the song required it.
How would you describe Elvis Presley's voice? ›The quality of his voice is most often described as soulful. It had an 'aching sincerity ... and an indefinable quality of yearning ... virtually impossible to pigeonhole'. Elvis Presley's three-octave vocal range was exceptional, 'very narrowly all at once a tenor, baritone, and bass'.
Who did Elvis say had the best voice? ›Elvis held Roy Orbison is very high regard, publicly stating that Roy had ' most perfect voice' and referring to him as the 'greatest singer in the world' during one of his Vegas concerts. And Roy's respect was mutual, he went to Elvis' concerts from 1954 to 1976.
Who has the closest voice to Elvis? ›The world is full of Elvis Presley impersonators, but only one, Jimmy 'Orion' Ellis, sounded so much like him that people were convinced he actually was Elvis.
What is so unique about Elvis voice? ›Voice characteristics
Elvis Presley was a baritone whose voice had an extraordinary compass — the so-called register — and a very wide range of vocal colour. It covered two octaves and a third, from the baritone low-G to the tenor high B, with an upward extension in falsetto to at least a D flat.
While he couldn't read or write music and had no formal lessons, he was a natural musician and played everything by ear. He could often hear a song, pick up an instrument, and play. He often played an instrument in his recordings, and always produced his own music.
What voice type was Freddie Mercury? ›Although he naturally held a baritone voice, he primarily sang as a tenor and of course had no problem then shifting into soprano parts.
Why was Elvis such a good singer? ›Elvis, like many singers of popular music, learned to sing from listening to others. The fact that he developed his own special style of singing and maintained his sound until his untimely death shows that he had a lot of native talent for singing.
Who is the most famous baritone voice? ›- Elvis Presley.
- Johnny Cash.
- Christian Gerhaher.
- José Van Dam.
- Titta Ruffo.
- Friedrich Schorr.
- Bing Crosby.
- Pavel Lisitsian.
- 1 of 35. Celine Dion. Kevin Winter/Getty Images. ...
- 2 of 35. Barbra Streisand. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for BSB. ...
- 3 of 35. Etta James. ...
- 4 of 35. Nina Simone. ...
- 5 of 35. Aretha Franklin. ...
- 6 of 35. Whitney Houston. ...
- 7 of 35. Smokey Robinson. ...
- 8 of 35. Mariah Carey.
Did Elvis like the Beatles? ›
During his 1968 “Comeback” Special, Elvis made a rare public statement about The Beatles. “I really like a lot of the new groups—The Beatles, the Beards, and whatever,” he said.
Did Frank Sinatra like Elvis? ›Despite their 20-year age difference, Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley became good friends. On hearing of Presley's death, in 1977, Sinatra was genuinely saddened and effusive in his praise of the man they called The King.
Who sings and sounds like Elvis? ›Drake Milligan is Called 'The New Elvis of Country'
Did Elvis have vocal training? ›“'Nope,' [Elvis] replied flatly,” Wolfson wrote in From Elvis to Memphis. “'I've never had a singing lesson in my life. No music lesson of any kind, in fact. I just started singing when I was a little kid…and I've been doing it ever since.
Who sang the high notes for Elvis? ›Kathy Westmoreland - backup singer with beautiful high voice (often introduced by Elvis) | Elvis in concert, Elvis presley, Elvis.
Who took advantage of Elvis? ›Who was Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley's manager who allegedly stole over half of his millions? Inside their controversial connection, depicted in Baz Luhrmann's new biopic.
Who has the most unique voice in music? ›If you try to think of singers with unique voices, a few might come to mind: from Freddie Mercury, Michael Jackson, Ella Fitzgerald, Axl Rose and Nina Simone to Bjork, Amy Winehouse, Beyonce, Thom Yorke (Radiohead), Jeff Buckley...
What voice type is Michael Jackson? ›Countertenor. Michael's voice is unmistakably light and even androgynous. This is most likely why people would call Michael a countertenor.
Did Elvis wear makeup? ›Elvis loved makeup and he loved how dramatic it made the eyes.…”
How many chords did Elvis know? ›The superstar didn't help matters when he occasionally ad-libbed to his loyal audiences, “I only know three chords.”
How good could Elvis Presley play the guitar? ›
In a 1965 newspaper article, Elvis fessed up about his guitar playing ability: “People seem to think I'm married to the guitar but the truth is I'm not very good at it. I usually get credited with beating up a storm on it, but usually I have another and much better guitar player backing me up when I play it.
What's Lady Gaga's voice type? ›Lady Gaga is a great example of a mezzo-soprano. Her timbre is feminine, but slightly darker and more sensitive and mature than a typical lyric soprano. Despite her good technique, Gaga rarely enters the upper 5th octave.
What is the rarest voice? ›A countertenor is a male singer who can sing as high as a soprano or mezzo-soprano. The countertenor is the rarest of all voice types.
What is Beyonce's voice type? ›Beyoncé is basically an operatic mezzo-soprano in disguise – and she proved it in this impressive clip.
What voice type was Frank Sinatra? ›According to music critic Henry Pleasants "The voice itself was a typical Italian light baritone with a two octave range from G to G, declining, as it darkened in later years, to F to F and with greater potential at the top than he was commonly disposed to exploit.
Was Freddie Mercury a baritone? ›While Freddie's speaking voice fell in the baritone range, he delivered most songs in the tenor range. His known vocal range extended from bass low F (F2) to soprano high F (F6). He could also get up to tenor high F (F5).
Is a baritone voice rare? ›The baritone is the most common male voice type. Though it's common, baritone is far from ordinary. On the contrary, the weight and power of this voice type gives a very strong sound. In opera the baritone is often used in roles of generals and noblemen.
Is Willie Nelson a baritone? ›By most technical standards, Willie Nelson's keening nasal baritone is dynamically limited and unpretty. Yet he uses the innate physical qualities of his voice to create the aura of a storyteller-philosopher, steadfast in character, whose view of the human condition is fatalistic but compassionate.
Who has the best rock voice of all time? ›- Bruce Springsteen. Bruce is the link between folk, '60s R&B, punk, and of course, rock and roll.
- Freddie Mercury. Did rock and roll ever have a better showman than Freddie Mercury? ...
- Jimi Hendrix. ...
- Elvis Presley. ...
- Janis Joplin. ...
- Paul McCartney. ...
- Mick Jagger. ...
- Chuck Berry. ...
1: Aretha Franklin
Topping our list of the best female singers of all time, Aretha Franklin also stands as the most-charting female singer in history. Starting out in the gospel choir at her Baptist church, in Detroit, Franklin began her career as a recording artist in 1960, aged just 18.
Who was the biggest womanizer in The Beatles? ›
He was affectionately known as 'the quiet Beatle'. But George Harrison was in fact a womaniser, whose love of the opposite sex almost ruined his 23-year-marriage, a new documentary has revealed.
Who was a better singer Elvis or The Beatles? ›Vocally: Elvis had a great voice, and few could touch him. His rock 'n' roll numbers were electrifying, and his slower ballads were beautiful. His ability to command a song was just fantastic. The Beatles all had good voices (except Ringo Starr, obviously), but they couldn't touch Elvis for vocal ability.
Why did John Lennon not like Elvis Presley? ›Harris goes on to state that despite being a fan of Elvis' music, Lennon was disappointed when meeting 'The King of Rock and Roll', as he believed him to be a "right-wing southern bigot".
What does Mick Jagger think of Elvis? ›Mick Jagger on Elvis Presley (1974): “I never really liked him. Presley hasn't got anyone to tell him what to do and really that's what he needs more than anything else. His trouble is that it was always a question of making money.
What was Elvis Presley's #1 hit of all time? ›“Don't Be Cruel” hit #1 on all three major U.S. charts, and it was #1 on Billboard's pop single charts for 11 weeks, staying a total of 27 weeks on the chart. It also landed at #1 on the country singles chart, where it stayed for 10 weeks, with a total of 28 weeks on the chart.
Was Elvis considered a good singer? ›Because of his ability to sing, he was regarded as one of the greatest singers of all time. Elvis, who was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, moved with his family to Memphis, Tennessee, when he was 15 years old. He could hear pop and country music as well as gospel sounds from his church.
Did Freddie Mercury like Elvis Presley? ›In 1979, Mercury wrote a Presley tribute song for Queen called “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” which went to No. 1 in America. “It's Freddie's tribute to Elvis in a way,” said guitarist Brian May. “Freddie was very fond of Elvis.”
What was Roy Orbison's octave range? ›Orbison had a one-of-a-kind voice with a three-octave range and what one writer called a 'glass-shattering falsetto.
Who has the widest vocal range? ›But it's Mariah Carey who takes the prize for the largest vocal range of all. She can reach a low F2 and hit an unbelievable G7, a note that dolphins would envy, and that only some dogs can hear.
Which singer has the most perfect pitch? ›- Yo-Yo Ma.
- Bing Crosby.
- Glenn Gould.
- Ella Fitzgerald.
- Charlie Puth.
- Lorin Maazel.
- Yanni.
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Who has the most perfect pitch? ›
Which musicians and singers have perfect pitch? Some of the greatest classical composers, including Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin and Handel all had perfect pitch; and it's not so rare in the pop world either.
How well could Elvis Presley play the guitar? ›Elvis Presley often used his guitar as a prop, before abandoning it completely in the Las Vegas stage of his career, but it turns out that he could really play the instrument. Nobody would call him a virtuoso, but he could do more than just bang on it and break strings.
Did Michael Jackson have perfect pitch? ›Jackson had several incredible skills, like beatboxing, singing falsetto, and a perfect pitch. One of the more interesting parts of his voice was how high it was. According to close friends and accomplices, Jackson actually had a deep voice when he spoke normally (which was almost never).
Did Whitney Houston have perfect pitch? ›What fans remember most was the raw emotion that came out with every note she sang and that like Ella and Mariah, she had that ability to create vocal rhythms within scat singing. Whitney had perfect pitch which led her to success after success with that unique, often emotional style to every song she ever recorded.
Did Van Halen have perfect pitch? ›The one thing I do have is good ears. I don't mean perfect pitch, but ears for picking things up. I developed my ear through piano theory, but I never had a guitar lesson in my life, except from Eric Clapton off of records."
Did Elton John have perfect pitch? ›Elton John is a famed British singer and songwriter. His perfect pitch allowed him to teach himself to play the piano at a very young age. By three years old, the young Elton can play The Skater's Waltz after learning it by ear.
Did Frank Sinatra have perfect pitch? ›Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Sinatra and Hendrix - these and many others of the world's most famous musicians have had the "perfect" or "absolute" pitch.
What pop stars have perfect pitch? ›Mariah Carey, Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, Mozart, Beethoven, Jimi Hendrix, and Yanni. What do these musicians have in common? They're all said to have perfect pitch.
Is anyone born with perfect pitch? ›Absolute pitch is a rare ability, and most people with this skill are born with it. While some argue that perfect pitch can be somewhat learned as an adult, others claim that it must be acquired at birth or learned as a young child.
Did Elvis play the piano well? ›Presley was not a virtuosic guitarist, but he played pretty good rhythm guitar. And he was a really good pianist — on those "Million Dollar Quartet" tapes, that's him playing the majority of the piano parts, even though Jerry Lee Lewis is right there. His best instrument may have been the electric bass guitar.
Who is the oldest person with perfect pitch? ›
Classical composer Beethoven was one of the oldest in recorded history to report that he had perfect pitch. He could write any music he heard and identify any intervals or notes he heard in his mind.
Does Taylor Swift have perfect pitch? ›She does not Have perfect pitch…..Few singers do. Many Times problems with singing in Tune are NOT the fault of the Singer. They play with Large Sound Systems……. The stage Monitors control what Taylor would Hear on Stage!!
Does Cyndi Lauper have perfect pitch? ›Blessed with perfect pitch and a range of four octaves, her voice is a thing of wonder. She might be more famous for the jokey pop anthem Girls Just Want to Have Fun but listen to the subtlety of tracks such as the wonderful True Colors or Time After Time and it is impossible not to appreciate just how good she is.