Misplaced Pages

Range (music): Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 15:42, 1 April 2018 editComfr (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users10,602 editsm +links← Previous edit Latest revision as of 18:54, 10 February 2024 edit undoAlon Alush (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Rollbackers7,783 editsm Reverted 1 edit by 95.5.70.185 (talk) to last revision by KahtarTags: Twinkle Undo 
(25 intermediate revisions by 21 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Pitch range of musical instruments}}
⚫ ].]]


⚫ ].]]
In ], the '''range''', or '''chromatic range''', of a ] is the distance from the lowest to the highest ] it can play. For a singing ], the equivalent is '']''. The range of a ] is the distance between its lowest and highest ]. In ], the '''range''', or '''chromatic range''', of a ] is the distance from the lowest to the highest ] it can play. For a singing ], the equivalent is ]. The range of a ] is the distance between its lowest and highest ].


==Compass== ==Compass==
Among ] speakers,<ref>{{cite book |title=Collins English Dictionary |publisher=] |date=2018 |url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/compass |accessdate=March 30, 2018}}</ref> and perhaps others,<ref>{{cite book |title=Harvard Dictionary of Music |author=] |publisher=] |page=168 |date=1950 |url=https://www.bookyards.com/en/book/details/13283/Harvard-Dictionary-Of-Music |accessdate=March 31, 2018}}</ref> '''compass''' means the same thing as chromatic range. Among ] speakers,<ref>{{cite book |title=Collins English Dictionary |publisher=] |date=2018 |url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/compass |access-date=March 30, 2018}}</ref> and perhaps others,<ref>{{cite book |title=Harvard Dictionary of Music |author=Willi Apel |author-link=Willi Apel |website=www.bookyards.com |url=https://www.bookyards.com/en/book/details/13283/Harvard-Dictionary-Of-Music}}</ref> '''compass''' means the same thing as chromatic range—the interval between the lowest and highest note attainable by a voice or musical instrument.


==Other ranges== ==Other ranges==
The terms '''sounding range''', '''written range''', '''designated range''', '''duration range''' and ''']''' have specific meanings. The terms '''sounding range''', '''written range''', '''designated range''', '''duration range''' and ''']''' have specific meanings.


The '''sounding range'''<ref name="M29"> "Music theory online : musical instrument ranges & names", Brian Blood, Dolmetsch.com, 2009, webpage: .</ref> refers to the pitches produced by an instrument, while the '''written range'''<ref name=M29/> refers to the compass (span) of notes written in the sheet music, where the part is sometimes ] for convenience. A ], for example, typically has a sounding range one ] higher than its written range.<ref>http://www.dolmetsch.com/musictheory29.htm</ref> The '''designated range''' is the set of notes the player should or can achieve while playing. All instruments have a designated range, and all ]ed instruments have a playing range. Timbre, dynamics, and duration ranges are interrelated and one may achieve registral range at the expense of timbre. The designated range is thus the range in which a player is expected to have comfortable control of all aspects. The '''sounding range'''<ref name="M29">"Music theory online : musical instrument ranges & names", Brian Blood, Dolmetsch.com, 2009, webpage: .</ref> refers to the pitches produced by an instrument, while the '''written range'''<ref name=M29/> refers to the compass (span) of notes written in the sheet music, where the part is sometimes ] for convenience. A ], for example, typically has a sounding range one ] higher than its written range.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dolmetsch.com/musictheory29.htm|title=Dolmetsch Online - Music Theory Online - Musical Instrument Ranges & Names}}</ref> The '''designated range''' is the set of notes the player should or can achieve while playing. All instruments have a designated range, and all pitched instruments have a playing range. Timbre, dynamics, and duration ranges are interrelated and one may achieve registral range at the expense of timbre. The designated range is thus the range in which a player is expected to have comfortable control of all aspects.


The '''] range''' is the difference between the shortest and longest rhythm used. '''Dynamic range''' is the difference between the quietest and loudest volume of an instrument, part or piece of music. The '''] range''' is the difference between the shortest and longest rhythm used. '''Dynamic range''' is the difference between the quietest and loudest volume of an instrument, part or piece of music.
Line 16: Line 17:
Although ]s and ]s have no theoretical upper limit to their range (subject to practical limits), they generally cannot go below their designated range. ]s, on the other hand, can play beyond their designated ranges. Notes lower than the brass instrument's designated range are called ]s. The playing range of a brass instrument depends on both the technical limitations of the instrument and the skill of the player. Although ]s and ]s have no theoretical upper limit to their range (subject to practical limits), they generally cannot go below their designated range. ]s, on the other hand, can play beyond their designated ranges. Notes lower than the brass instrument's designated range are called ]s. The playing range of a brass instrument depends on both the technical limitations of the instrument and the skill of the player.


Classical arrangements seldom make woodwind or brass instruments play beyond their designed range. String musicians play the bottom of their ranges very frequently, but the top of a string instrument's range is rather fuzzy, and it is unusual for a string player to exceed the designated range. It is quite rare for wind musicians to play the extremes of their instruments. The most common exception is that in many 20th century works, pedal tones are called for in bass trombones. Classical arrangements seldom make woodwind or brass instruments play beyond their designed range. String musicians play the bottom of their ranges very frequently, but the top of a string instrument's range is rather fuzzy, and it is unusual for a string player to exceed the designated range. It is quite rare for wind musicians to play the extremes of their instruments. The most common exception is that in many 20th century works, pedal tones are called for in bass trombones.


This chart uses standard numberings for octaves where ] corresponds to C<sub>4</sub>. In the ] language middle C is referred to as MIDI note number 60. This chart uses standard numberings for octaves where ] corresponds to C<sub>4</sub>. In the ] language middle C is referred to as MIDI note number 60.
Line 22: Line 23:
The lowest note that a ] can sound (with a ]) is C<sub>−1</sub> (or CCCC), which is 8&nbsp;Hz, ] and not visible on this chart. However, if acoustic combination (a note and its fifth) counts, the lowest note is C<sub>−2</sub> (or CCCCC), which is 4&nbsp;Hz. The lowest note that a ] can sound (with a ]) is C<sub>−1</sub> (or CCCC), which is 8&nbsp;Hz, ] and not visible on this chart. However, if acoustic combination (a note and its fifth) counts, the lowest note is C<sub>−2</sub> (or CCCCC), which is 4&nbsp;Hz.


In terms of recording and reproduction, many speakers have a low limit of around 40–60&nbsp;Hz.
⚫ == Typical ranges ==


⚫ == Typical ranges ==
{{Vocal and instrumental pitch ranges}} {{Vocal and instrumental pitch ranges}}


Line 29: Line 31:
*] *]
*] *]
*]
*]


==Notes== ==References==
{{Reflist}} {{Reflist}}


==External links==
⚫ {{Range (music)}}
*{{Commons category-inline}}


⚫ {{Range (music)}}
{{Authority control}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Range (Music)}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Range (Music)}}
] ]

Latest revision as of 18:54, 10 February 2024

Pitch range of musical instruments
Written range of a saxophone.

In music, the range, or chromatic range, of a musical instrument is the distance from the lowest to the highest pitch it can play. For a singing voice, the equivalent is vocal range. The range of a musical part is the distance between its lowest and highest note.

Compass

Among British English speakers, and perhaps others, compass means the same thing as chromatic range—the interval between the lowest and highest note attainable by a voice or musical instrument.

Other ranges

The terms sounding range, written range, designated range, duration range and dynamic range have specific meanings.

The sounding range refers to the pitches produced by an instrument, while the written range refers to the compass (span) of notes written in the sheet music, where the part is sometimes transposed for convenience. A piccolo, for example, typically has a sounding range one octave higher than its written range. The designated range is the set of notes the player should or can achieve while playing. All instruments have a designated range, and all pitched instruments have a playing range. Timbre, dynamics, and duration ranges are interrelated and one may achieve registral range at the expense of timbre. The designated range is thus the range in which a player is expected to have comfortable control of all aspects.

The duration range is the difference between the shortest and longest rhythm used. Dynamic range is the difference between the quietest and loudest volume of an instrument, part or piece of music.

Range limits

Although woodwind instruments and string instruments have no theoretical upper limit to their range (subject to practical limits), they generally cannot go below their designated range. Brass instruments, on the other hand, can play beyond their designated ranges. Notes lower than the brass instrument's designated range are called pedal tones. The playing range of a brass instrument depends on both the technical limitations of the instrument and the skill of the player.

Classical arrangements seldom make woodwind or brass instruments play beyond their designed range. String musicians play the bottom of their ranges very frequently, but the top of a string instrument's range is rather fuzzy, and it is unusual for a string player to exceed the designated range. It is quite rare for wind musicians to play the extremes of their instruments. The most common exception is that in many 20th century works, pedal tones are called for in bass trombones.

This chart uses standard numberings for octaves where middle C corresponds to C4. In the MIDI language middle C is referred to as MIDI note number 60.

The lowest note that a pipe organ can sound (with a true pipe) is C−1 (or CCCC), which is 8 Hz, below the range of human hearing and not visible on this chart. However, if acoustic combination (a note and its fifth) counts, the lowest note is C−2 (or CCCCC), which is 4 Hz.

In terms of recording and reproduction, many speakers have a low limit of around 40–60 Hz.

Typical ranges

:Eighth octave CMiddle C:Eighth octave CMiddle Cgongstruck idiophonetubular bellsstruck idiophonecrotalesglockenspielvibraphonecelestametallophonesxylophonemarimbaxylophonesidiophonestimpanimembranophonespiccolo trumpettrumpetcornetbass trumpettrumpetswagner tubawagner tubaflugelhornalto hornbaritone hornFrench hornhorn (instrument)cimbassotypes of trombonetypes of trombonesoprano trombonealto trombonetenor trombonebass trombonecontrabass trombonetromboneseuphoniumbass tubacontrabass tubasubcontrabass tubatubabrass instrumentsOrgan (music)garklein recordersopranino recordersoprano recorderalto recordertenor recorderbass recordergreat bass recordercontrabass recordersub-great bass recordersub-contrabass recorderRecorder (musical instrument)fipplepiccoloconcert flutealto flutebass flutecontra-alto flutecontrabass flutesubcontrabass flutedouble contrabass flutehyperbass flutewestern concert flute familyside-blown fluteflutesharmonicaharmonicaaccordionharmoniumfree reedsopranissimo saxophonesopranino saxophonesoprano saxophonealto saxophonetenor saxophonebaritone saxophonebass saxophonecontrabass saxophonesubcontrabass saxophonesaxophone familysopranino clarinetsoprano clarinetalto clarinetbass clarinetcontra-alto clarinetcontrabass clarinetoctocontra-alto clarinetoctocontrabass clarinetclarinet familysingle reedoboeoboe d'amorecor anglaisheckelphoneoboesbassooncontrabassoonbassoonsexposeddouble reedwoodwind instrumentsaerophonescymbalumhammered dulcimerpianozitherukulele5-string banjomandolinguitarbaritone guitarbass guitarharpsichordharpPlucked string instrumentviolinviolacellodouble bassoctobassviolin familyBowed string instrumentchordophonessopranomezzo-sopranoaltotenorbaritonebass (voice type)Vocal range

*This chart only displays down to C0, though some pipe organs, such as the Boardwalk Hall Auditorium Organ, extend down to C−1 (one octave below C0). Also, the fundamental frequency of the subcontrabass tuba is B♭−1.


See also

References

  1. Collins English Dictionary. HarperCollins. 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  2. Willi Apel. Harvard Dictionary of Music. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  3. ^ "Music theory online : musical instrument ranges & names", Brian Blood, Dolmetsch.com, 2009, webpage: Dolmetsch-M29.
  4. "Dolmetsch Online - Music Theory Online - Musical Instrument Ranges & Names".

External links

Musical range or compass and register
Vocal register
Voice type
Sound
Related articles
Categories: