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An octave scale is named for the musical note that begins and ends a musical scale. However, though the notes are the same they remain an octave apart, or in other words, the end note is double the frequency of the beginning note. Notes at the letters A, B, C, D, E, F, and G are used to name the musical notes. Using C major, the octave scale would be C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. The octave number tells us which. As there are eight C notes on the 88-key piano the octave number signifies which C to start with. A number (i.e seventh octave) or a note (C5) may be associated when referring to a particular octave scale.
Examples The first note on the piano is 'A'. Since it is the first note, it is called A0. Note that it vibrates at only 27.5 Hz. The next white note is B0. The black key in between is a half-step and is the sharp of A (A♯0) or the flat of B (B♭0). The next white-key notes are C1, D1, E1, F1, and G1 respectively. The black keys in between are the flat of the note after it and the sharp of the note before it. The next A is the second A, named A1. It vibrates at 55 Hz (double A0). This repeats again, to A2 (110 Hz). So when we say a person can vocalize in the seventh octave, what we are really saying is the person's vocal cords are capable of producing a musical pitch between the seventh and the eighth A (in standard musical practice, C is the base). Although it is not customary to number the piano octaves (the seventh octave's controversy and rarity is the only real exception), the octaves are listed below to help gain a mental perspective of where a range is. Note Many people start counting the octaves with C. Using that notation (which is utilized by many, including articles here in Wikipedia - see Piano key frequencies), the first notes are A0, A♯0, and B0. Then you have C1 go to up to A1, B1, and C2. If you read many articles about vocal range, this is how range is established. The octaves are incremented on C, not A (the picture at the top increments on A). Regine Velasquez of the Philippines. Determining vocal range So does he or she have a one, two or three octave range? Ten? Mariah Carey is said to have a five octave range, but how is a singer's range calculated? A vocal coach (or other knowledgeable person) asks the singer the reach the lowest note they can hit (no matter how unmusical). Next, they climb the scale in various vocalise until they pitch their top note (again, they may push or force a little). This also helps explain why most singers do NOT use the very top of the range. Then you simply subtract low from high. Let's say your low note is an E3; your high is a B5. You're a solid mezzo-soprano. 5-3 = 2. Next, there are four whole steps between E and B, namely E to F, F to G, G to A, and finally A to B. So your range would be two and a half octaves, although many people would say simply two and change. Again, it is important to note that many people can vocalise higher than they normally sing in or record in. The range he or she usually sings in is his/her tessitura, with the other notes comprising the extension. See also | ||||||||
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