From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The whistle register (also called the flageolet register or whistle tone) is the highest register of the human voice. This register has a specific physiological production that is different from the modal register. In some sopranos the modal register vocal production may extend into what is usually thought of as the whistle register.^[1] The whistle register is so called because the timbre of the notes that are produced from this register are similar to that of a whistle or the upper notes of a flute, whereas the modal register tends to have a warmer, less shrill timbre. Women of all voice types can use the whistle register. With proper vocal training, it is possible for most women to develop this part of the voice but some women are unable to do so. Children can also phonate in the whistle register and men can as well in very rare instances.^[2]

The whistle register is the highest phonational register that in most singers begins above the soprano "high C" {C6 or 1047 Hz) and extends to two Ds above (D7 or 2349 Hz). However, the whistle register does not begin at the same point within every female voice, and there are rare women who can extend the whistle register much further than the range listed above. For example, some opera singers can sing up to the "high" F above "high" C without entering into the whistle register.^[3] Also, rare singers like Georgia Brown from Brazil, who sang up to a G10 (25087Hz), can sing much higher.

The physiology of the whistle register is the least understood of the vocal registers. Unlike other types of vocal production, it is difficult to film the vocal chords while they are operating in this manner as the epiglottis closes down over the larynx and the resonating chamber assumes its smallest dimensions. It is known that when producing pitches in this register, vibration occurs only in some anterior portion of the vocal folds. This shorter vibrating length naturally allows for easier production of high pitches.^[4]

Although the whole physiological production of whistle tone is not understood, it is known that when the laterals are active but the transversus inactive, a triangular opening is seen between the arytenoids, the vocal processes contact each other, but the posterior parts at the apex do not contact each other. The exception to this would be if the vocal folds are not stretched, as stretching of the vocal ligaments abducts the vocal processes.^[5]

Many babies and small children of both sexes can produce sounds in the frequency range of the whistle register without any conscious effort. Typically, the whistle register in children extends from the soprano "high C" (C6 or 2093 Hz) to two Gs above (G7 of 3136Hz). Some children, however, can produce pitches that surpass the upper limit of the keyboard. Children should be discouraged from going into the whistle register frequently as some medical professionals are concerned that such use of the voice could cause damage to the vocal chords or vocal dysfunctions that effect speech and phonation.^[6]

In European classical music, the whistle register is used primarily by coloratura sopranos. Many parts in the coloratura soprano repetoire extend beyond "high C" and often extend up to high F (F6). Although some coloratura sopranos use whistle tone vocal production to sing these notes, many operatic sopranos are capable of singing up to "high F" (F6) without utilizing the vocal production associated with the whistle register but remaining in the modal register. That being said, most coloratura sopranos do utilize the whistle register, particularly when singing stacatto notes in rapid succession, during high trills, or other elaborate coloratura ornamentation in the upper tessitura. Rarely will coloraturas use whistle tone when doing high extended notes. However, singers like Mado Robin were noted for doing so. Also, some rare coloratura sopranos do not need to use whistle register at all. Probably the best-known example of the whistle register in European classical music is in the "Queen of the Night" aria (properly titled "Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen") from the Mozart opera Die Zauberflöte; it calls for pitches up to F6.^[7]

In Western popular music, the whistle register is used with more variety and to produce much higher pitches than are called for in classical music. While it is mostly used by females, such as Mariah Carey and Minnie Riperton, there are a few male singers who use it.^[1] Georgia Brown holds the record for highest note ever reached.^[8] Among male singers, the one who holds the Guinness Book of Records record (C#8) for highest vocal note by a male, Adam Lopez, makes extensive use of the whistle register.^[8]

• Vocal registration

1. ^ ^{a b} Whistle, High Falsetto or Flute Register, VocalFocus.com
2. ^ McKinney, James (1994). The Diagnosis and Correction of Vocal Faults
3. ^ McKinney, James (1994). The Diagnosis and Correction of Vocal Faults
4. ^ Greene, Margaret; Lesley Mathieson (2001). The Voice and its Disorders, cited below
5. ^ Van den Berg, J.W. ""Vocal Ligaments versus Registers, cited below
6. ^ McKinney, James (1994). The Diagnosis and Correction of Vocal Faults, cited below
7. ^ Coffin, Berton (1960). Coloratura, Lyric and Dramatic Soprano, Vol. 1., cited below
8. ^ ^{a b} Guinness World Records 2005: Special 50th Anniversary Edition (2005). pg. 196. UK: Guinness Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-892051-22-2.