Top 10 Singers with a Vocal Range Between 4 and 5 Octaves
This includes vocal ranges within the interval from 4 octaves, 1/2 note to 4 octaves, 7-1/2 notes.This list was inspired by the TopTens user zxm and his lists "Best Singers with a 4 Octave Vocal Range" and "Best Singers with a Five Octave Vocal Range".
This list covers singers with vocal ranges that are between 4 and 5 octaves - more than 4 octaves but less than 5. I needed to make this list because many great singers fall into this category.
Even though range isn't everything, a wide range is always welcome, especially when the singer also has some great vocal skills.
My favorite since I was 16. I'm 56 now, and I always have Halford at the ready. Priest's evolution and the way they changed their sound throughout their career always had me wondering what the next album would be like, but it's Halford's voice that really hooked me, like a talon from a metal eagle that... never mind.
It's close between Rob Halford at his peak and Geoff Tate of Queensryche at his, who's not even been shortlisted here. For sheer POWER, I'd go with Geoff Tate. His control is phenomenal. Rob Halford is awesome too and possibly more consistent live.
Have seen and heard Rob Halford and Judas Priest in three different decades: the 1980s, 2000s, and 2010s. Greatest long-term range of all time. First time 1983. Last time 2019. Sounds just as good now, range-wise, as he did then. #1 ranking is justified.
He had the most masterful use of control, timbre, and sorrow in his songs. Listen to Down in the Ghetto and If I Can Dream. Then listen to Suspicious Minds. He had range, then stretched the range with a cry. Only a few singers can master a cry without it sounding like a screech. Patsy Cline also had this talent.
He has at least a 5 octave range. Just go and listen to the very early SUN records days, then the lows on many 70's recordings like "For The Heart" and many, many others. ELVIS is just incredible!
His voice had meaning. He didn't just sing, he told a story.
He is the only singer who could sing other people's songs better than the originals.
No female in recording has a greater octave range and more vocal muscle than Mariah Carey. There have been lots of great female voices over the decades, but nobody can match Mariah. It's just the way it is.
I didn't know vocal range mattered in rock music. However, I vote for the one and only Freddie Mercury. The most creative songwriter and absolutely unparalleled showman to ever exist.
Better than any other singer. Absolutely the most talented! His almost 5 octave voice sounds like an angel and he's hot as hell!
Freddie has a beautiful singing voice, very lush, very powerful, and with wonderful tones. His voice spans four solid octaves, F2 to F6, plus 8 semitones. I'm surprised he isn't in the top ten.
In his own way, he created a style of vocals that opened up a generation of metal singers who have taken his style for their own. Phil Anselmo should go down as one of the best.
Phil is the man but Mike Patton had the best range of all time.
He hits an A5 in the high screaming part at the end of Cemetery Gates and also an F#1 a few times on Floods. That makes him a baritone with a 4-octave range and a few notes.
Best singer in the Beatles and one of the best singers in rock, period. Despite him being a tenor, he had a usable 5 octaves (from A1 to A6). Also, probably the only person on this list (besides Elvis and some others) who can truly use his full range in a musical setting.
He is the best. Amazing range and he could sing anything at his prime.
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 Christina Aguilera and Elvis Presley. He is one of the 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.
Three octaves in This Is Gospel alone... and it expands from there. His range is incredible (sometimes I'll think that his voice is actually a guitar because of how high the note is), and he manages to make his high notes sound really good. He deserves so much more credit than he receives.
Brendon Urie is probably the best vocalist of our time. I've seen him live in concert many times and have kept up with the band for years. He is, in my opinion, also one of the most underrated artists in the United States. I hope people will soon see the true talent he is.
That vocal range and so well managed...
A singer with 4 octaves, 2-1/2 notes (E2 to G#6).
Prince is the most talented and most complete musician and performing artist the world has ever seen! His voice was yet another one of his instruments he used to great effect!
Great voice, could do many different styles. One of the most eccentric and unique on any list.
Best technique and innovation. A uber talented genius.
David has incredibly powerful vocals and is, in my opinion, one of the best metal singers of all time. His voice grants anyone who is listening a feeling of being indestructible. Additionally, his vocal cover of The Sound of Silence is undeniably one of his most moving performances.
I could listen to this man sing and talk for hours. His voice has such a range from evil to angelic. Extremely talented man, as are the other members of the band. Love Disturbed.
His singing in Songs of Silence was the most beautiful and moving performance since Geoff Tate's in Silent Lucidity.
His vocal delivery, bluesy voice, and stage presence are one of a kind. One of the few singers of classic rock whose vocal cords have held up through the years. Pulling off otherworldly falsettos and hitting both high and low notes that most singers could only dream of. He's definitely in the top 5 of the greatest voices in rock music. Right there with Plant, Mercury, Dickinson, and Halford.
His vocal delivery and stage presence are one of a kind. One of the few hard rock singers whose vocal cords have held up through the years, pulling off incredible falsettos that most singers could only dream of. He's definitely in the top 5 of the greatest voices in Rock, right there with Plant, Mercury, Dickinson, and Halford.
This guy can sing higher and more versatile than either Freddie or Brendon in his real voice, without falsetto.
Roger Waters: Remarkable 4 octaves, 6-1/2 notes (almost 5 octaves, from B1 to Bb6).
One of the most distinctive voices in rock.
In the last year, Myles has become my favorite vocalist. And he's also a great guitarist too. I love his recently released solo album, "The Ides of March." He takes good care of his voice. We'll be hearing about him for many years.
Definitely the man with the golden voice. For my money at this point in time, I believe he is currently the best male vocalist in Rock.
I saw G'n'R last year and SMKC this year, and Myles is at the top of his game.
I love Axl's voice. However, it hasn't been well looked after.
Myles nails any G'n'R song he performs.
RnFnRFan
Any list about "greatest vocalists," "best vocal ranges," etc., should include him and recognize his amazing range. I am sure he beats many of the others known as some of the best. Such a shame!
Honestly, hands down one of, if not the greatest singer/songwriters to ever live. He can be an ass, I know, and I think that obviously hurts him in the realm of public opinion, but the dude can flat out flipping sing. Top 5 easily, vastly underrated in this public opinion poll.
A musical genius, Bill Bailey was/is one of the all-time greats. So much passion and intensity. A perfectionist with one of the greatest voices in rock history. A true lead man.
He's a musical genius, much like Prince was.
Melodic or aggressive. Simply beautiful and passionate. Unique style. My favorite male rock singer of all time, hands down. "Slaves and Bulldozers" or "Say Hello to Heaven" really show off his skills. This throat thing he did at the end of "Show Me How to Live" by Audioslave is an almost impossible feat.
Great vocalist, loved him in Soundgarden and Temple of the Dog. Didn't listen to much of his work after that, but man, I've seen some videos lately that make me want to go back in time.
Just listen to his voice. It speaks for itself as the best male vocalist of all time.
A 4 1/2 octave range according to vocal coach Seth Riggs - from Basso Low C (comfortable from Eb) up to G above High C. Riggs worked with Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Natalie Cole, Ray Charles, Madonna, and Barbra Streisand. He knows his stuff. Says elsewhere (Bad25) that MJ could have sung bass, baritone, and tenor, but preferred to stay up in a high tenor range because he liked how it made him sound ageless.
Actually, Michael had more than 4 octaves, which is very impressive and rare for a male singer.
If you're one of those who only know Plant, Tyler, Bon Jovi, Waters, and the other popular singers on this list, you owe it to yourself to not miss out on Peter Steele's amazing vocal range. I'd suggest taking in Type O Negative albums in this order: October Rust, World Coming Down, Bloody Kisses. If you only have time for one song, check out either the cover of the song "Cinnamon Girl."
He was the primary songwriter in the group, and it's obvious from the sound and structure that he was highly influenced by The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Black Sabbath. My assumption is that he has the deepest voice on this list.
Peter Steele possessed an absolutely incredible vocal range. Peter infused very real and genuine passion into his lyrics and into every note he played on his bass guitar, reflecting his personal experiences with loss and heartbreak. It breaks my heart that Peter is no longer with us. A voice as powerful as Peter's will never be forgotten and will always inspire.
His range is smooth and melodic all the way into terrifying screams and a deep roar. Honestly one of the best of our time!
He has an amazing range. From beautifully smooth melodic to perfectly in-range controlled death scream. Amazing!
Versatile voice that has barely changed despite being in his 50s. Not to mention his looks! Should be higher, very impressive person.
Mike Patton should be higher on the list, along with Chris Cornell.
A true master of versatility. Completely underappreciated. A true musical genius.
Miljenko Matijevic is one in a billion. I've watched him hit 5 octaves while chewing gum. He is underestimated and unappreciated. He should be #1 on this list. He hits notes while chewing gum and holds them an incredible amount of time. I adore his singing. The man is one of a kind and irreplaceable. He sings his music in more than 10 languages. No other world-class singer can match his talent. Yes, I love Miljenko Matijevic because he is blessed by God with the voice of an angel. I've listened to and lived his singing for over three decades.
Miljenko has the best vocal ranges in music history. His vocals are pure, super strong, and raw. If you are a true fan, you can watch him in his music videos and see how he leans back and arches his back to open his lungs and uses his diaphragm to perform the best in the highest and loudest notes/vocals for strong delivery. Such a beautifully strong range where he opens up his lungs, pushing his diaphragm to excel to give such a strong vocal delivery. No falsetto delivery. Just raw and strong and beautifully demonstrated in his delivery. One prime example of this is his performance in the Can't Stop Me Lovin' You music video. This is in my honest and humble opinion.
Can sing softly and melodically or scream his lungs out like a beast. Here is one who can do both. Chester Bennington had that quality too, as did Chris Cornell. Come to think of it, anyone I consider my favorite are those who can hit either extreme.