The whistle register (also called the flageolet register and in Speech Level Singing the super-head register) is the highest register of the human voice. The term is so called because the timbre of these notes is similar to that of a whistle. Vocal registration is the term used to denote various theories of how the human voice changes, both subjectively and objectively, as it moves through its pitch range. ... The human voice consists of sound made by a human using the vocal folds for talking, singing, laughing, crying and screaming. ... In music, timbre, also timber (from Fr. ... A whistle is a one-note woodwind instrument which produces sound from a stream of forced air. ...

Physiology and definition

The physiology of the whistle register is the least understood of the vocal registers. 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. The physiological process that causes this is not currently known. In zootomy, several terms are used to describe the location of organs and other structures in the body of bilateral animals. ... Laryngoscopic view of the vocal folds. ...

The whistle register is most commonly used to produce pitches around and above the soprano C. By the physiological definition just detailed, it is a configuration of the vocal folds and is a range of pitches. However, there is no universally agreed-upon scheme for classifying vocal registers, so it is common to see other definitions. Soprano C, sometimes called High C, is the C two octaves above Middle C It is named because it is considered the highest usable note of the soprano, particularly for choral singers (although some can go higher). ...

Uses of the whistle register

In European classical music, the whistle register is rarely called for. When it is, it is exclusively used by coloratura sopranos to produce pitches above C6. 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. Classical music is a broad, somewhat imprecise term, referring to music produced in, or rooted in the traditions of, European art, ecclesiastical and concert music, encompassing a broad period from roughly 1000 to the present day. ... Coloratura is an old word meaning colouring. ... Look up soprano in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... An aria (Italian for air; plural: arie or arias in common usage) in music was originally any expressive melody, usually, but not always, performed by a singer. ... Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen (Hells vengeance boils in my heart) is the second aria of the Queen of the Night (Die Königin der Nacht) character in Mozarts opera, The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte). ... “Mozart” redirects here. ... The Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy. ... Die Zauberflöte (en: The Magic Flute) is an opera in two acts composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to a German libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder. ...

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. Georgia Brown holds the record for highest note ever reached. 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. Popular music is music belonging to any of a number of musical styles that are accessible to the general public and are disseminated by one or more of the mass media. ... Mariah Carey (born March 27, 1970) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, music video director, and actress. ... Minnie Julia Riperton (November 8, 1947 – July 12, 1979) was an American soul singer from Chicago, Illinois, most noted for her abilities in the whistle register and her 1975 hit single Lovin You. Possessing a rare five-octave vocal range, she displayed the ability to imitate instrumentation and even birds. ... Georgia Brown is a Brazilian pop singer notable for her extensive vocal range. ... Suresh Joachim, minutes away from breaking the ironing world record at 55 hours and 5 minutes, at Shoppers World, Brampton. ... Adam Lopez Costa (referred to as Adam Lopez), (born August 26 in Brisbane, Australia) is a pop musician, opera singer, vocal coach, and session vocalist. ...

It is common for children of both sexes and for young women to shriek loudly in a way that sounds much like the whistle register, though it is not known whether the physiological mechanism is in fact the same.

See also

• Vocal registration