Dear Rob and List:
One more thing - the whole "counting" issue.
Let middle C be C4. Suppose I can sing from C3 to C4. There are two different "Cs" - but it is only one octave. I think sometimes people add an extra octave in the counting.
Rob wrote, "I'm able to sing four octaves..."
In general, I think women will more often have longer "legitimate" ranges than men, and 2 1/2 to 3 octaves is a very good range.
I think about 2 1/2 octaves of good/useable/performance range for a man would generally be quite impressive - imagine a rich bass voice able to sing from a low F (F2) up to a high Bb (almost tenor high C) - that is 2 1/2 octaves.
I know there are men that can claim 4 octaves of range, although at least a portion of such range would be regarded by most as "falsetto", and I have cited the example of sopranist Randall Wong. I can't even come close. I'd be happy with two really good octaves myself.
Let's look at it this way: forget about unusual noises - let's talk about "standard" pitches/ranges.
A true bass is generally expected to be able to sing, with quality, a low F which is F2. Of course some deep basses can sing lower - maybe the "C" below that (C2). Many baritones and even tenors can sing these notes - but not necessarily with a good quality, not necessarily much volume, and perhaps not consistently.
A high soprano might be asked to sing/perform perhaps the Eb or even F (not sure?) above soprano high C - that would be say F6.
To be able to sing then from a bass low F to a (high) soprano's high F would be 4 octaves.
Is this possible? Yes, but not that common. And, more importantly, not that useful.
Cheers,
Michael
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