Please consider registering
Guest
sp_LogInOut Log Insp_Registration Register
Register | Lost password?
Advanced Search
Forum Scope


Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
sp_Feed sp_TopicIcon
George's Vocal Range..?
7 October 2012
1.37am
Avatar
Holsety
God Only Knows
Royal Command Performance
Members
Forum Posts: 263
Member Since:
3 September 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

I’ve seen videos of John and Paul’s highest notes, of which John’s is probably in Please Please Me (the album) or elsewhere. Paul’s is the Hey Jude climax, but I’ve never known what George’s highest note was. I know he never tested his limits as much as the other two did, maybe because he was insecure, but I’m not sure if that’s likely. In his solo career he probably had some high notes, too. I’m watching a video that notes high and low notes in general, and it’s already mistaken one of George’s for Paul (I know this because it was She Said She Said ), and that’s why I randomly wondered. In which songs did he hit his highest and lowest notes? Was it in While My Guitar Gently Weeps

Please don't wake me, no don't shake me, leave me where I am, I'm only sleeping~.

7 October 2012
12.37pm
Ben Ramon
Carnegie Hall
Members
Forum Posts: 613
Member Since:
26 March 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Paul’s highest recorded (full voice) note is not the F5 from the Hey Jude climax, it is in fact a G5 from the ending of Soily live in LA 1976. 

George’s highest note that I know of is a B4 from You, and the lowest an E2 from The Ballad of Frankie Crisp (I’ve done extensive research into the vocal ranges of each Beatle, although I haven’t notewatched George as much as John and Paul).

The following people thank Ben Ramon for this post:

Beatlebug

SHUT UP - Paulie's talkin'

7 October 2012
3.03pm
Avatar
Holsety
God Only Knows
Royal Command Performance
Members
Forum Posts: 263
Member Since:
3 September 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

I was going off of what they recorded during the Beatles, but considering I was looking for George’s highest in his entire career, I probably could have counted Wings and solo as well for the rest of them. I’ll have to look into that.

Please don't wake me, no don't shake me, leave me where I am, I'm only sleeping~.

18 October 2012
11.26pm
Avatar
Holsety
God Only Knows
Royal Command Performance
Members
Forum Posts: 263
Member Since:
3 September 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

I’d hate to double-post, but I’m a bit curious. Does anyone know exactly what George’s highest note was while he was still in the Beatles? I know he has a couple notable high notes like “cause I KNOW” from Don’t Bother Me , or maybe “if they only KNEW” from Within You Without You . He has a lot of falsetto too, but considering I can’t read music or tell notes by ear I’m wondering if research has been conducted.

– apple01

Please don't wake me, no don't shake me, leave me where I am, I'm only sleeping~.

18 October 2012
11.33pm
Avatar
Von Bontee
496 km NW of the '69 Toronto Rock n Roll Revival
Apple rooftop
Members
Forum Posts: 5448
Member Since:
14 December 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Paperback Writer ” has some pretty high harmonies (a little TOO high imho). And there’s that falsetto bit in “Tell Me Why “.

Paul: Yeah well… first of all, we’re bringing out a ‘Stamp Out Detroit’ campaign.

         

19 October 2012
3.20pm
Avatar
Holsety
God Only Knows
Royal Command Performance
Members
Forum Posts: 263
Member Since:
3 September 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

The highest harmonies in Helter Skelter are a bit high, and if Paul didn’t do backing vocals I’m inclined to think George did those too. They sound like John, though.

Please don't wake me, no don't shake me, leave me where I am, I'm only sleeping~.

19 October 2012
11.22pm
Avatar
IMDeWalrus
Terrace BC Canada
Abbey Road
Members
Forum Posts: 97
Member Since:
26 July 2011
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

I believe it’s George who’s doing the high voice on the final verse of “Sun King ” — when they sing “here comes — the su–u-u-u-u-n king” — if you listen to his solo song “Here Comes The Moon”, the vocal sounds almost identical.  

I've got nothing to say, but it's okay..

GOOD MORNING!

GOOD MORNING!!

GOOD MORNING!!!

31 October 2012
8.58pm
Avatar
Holsety
God Only Knows
Royal Command Performance
Members
Forum Posts: 263
Member Since:
3 September 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

He has a note right around in the middle of Long, Long, Long which sounds like full voice. Not sure how high it is, though.

EDIT: That actually sounds like Paul after hearing it again.. not sure.

Please don't wake me, no don't shake me, leave me where I am, I'm only sleeping~.

11 November 2012
2.25am
Avatar
RunForYourLife
London Palladium
Members
Forum Posts: 153
Member Since:
18 November 2011
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

If George is in fact singing the falsetto on Run For Your Life  (as has been alleged), I think that would certainly be his highest.

12 November 2012
12.34am
Avatar
Holsety
God Only Knows
Royal Command Performance
Members
Forum Posts: 263
Member Since:
3 September 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

‘m currently watching their live at Japan concert, and I noticed George was doing the highest part on the “paaperback WRI-iterrrrr” if you know what I mean..

 

26 minute mark or so on there if you don’t know what I mean. He does the highest one the 3rd time at around 26:19.

Nice, George! a-hard-days-night-george-9

 I don’t know how high that is, but it’s certainly high.

Please don't wake me, no don't shake me, leave me where I am, I'm only sleeping~.

3 December 2012
2.41am
Avatar
Holsety
God Only Knows
Royal Command Performance
Members
Forum Posts: 263
Member Since:
3 September 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

I may be horribly wrong, but I’m going to take a guess that George is doing E5 there? It’s falsetto though, and I’m not quite sure of George’s falsetto range. I’ve been paying a little more attention to George’s vocal performances so I can find out his highest note, whether it’s falsetto or not. I’ve been telling these notes by ear and my ear deceives me sometimes..

edit; he also tops the backing vocals in Let It Be (at least the version I was listening to) with a possible C5 before he descends downward. Also falsetto. I’ve only been concerning myself with what’s higher than his highest note anyone else has found (B4).

Please don't wake me, no don't shake me, leave me where I am, I'm only sleeping~.

18 November 2015
8.05pm
Avatar
ewe2
Inside the beat
Rishikesh
Members
Forum Posts: 3025
Member Since:
8 January 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

George’s voice is surprisingly low, he’s very close to John’s at times, I reckon it could be a tie depending on the time of day.

The following people thank ewe2 for this post:

Starr Shine?

I'm like Necko only I'm a bassist ukulele guitar synthesizer kazoo penguin and also everyone. Or is everyone me? Now I'm a confused bassist ukulele guitar synthesizer kazoo penguin everyone who is definitely not @Joe.  This has been true for 2016 & 2017 Sig-Badge.png but I may have to get more specific in the future.

aus-flag-v-small.png

18 November 2015
8.16pm
Avatar
Beatlebug
Find me where ye echo lays
Moderator

Moderators
Forum Posts: 18181
Member Since:
15 February 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

^^G.H. did have a low speaking voice, yes, and naturally it got lower as he aged, but vocal-range-wise he’s a tenor like Paul (though not quite as awesome), as opposed to John, who is quite possibly a baritone or low tenor at least… the jury is still out on this. ahdn_george_01

([{BRACKETS!}])
New to Forumpool? You can introduce yourself here.
If you love The Beatles Bible, and you have adblock, don't forget to white-list this site!
whiteheart.png
avatar_creative_signature_Hmm.pngStarSpangledBanner.png

18 November 2015
8.40pm
Avatar
ewe2
Inside the beat
Rishikesh
Members
Forum Posts: 3025
Member Since:
8 January 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

John’s a low tenor he’s got about 2/3 of an octave on my range and I’m definitely a baritone. I think George’s range is underrated that way, he seems to have a very complete tenor range, with John and Paul either side. Even Ringo as a baritone has a pretty good range, I can’t do that high note in With A Little Help From My Friends (although I’m not sure Ringo’s been able to do it since).

The following people thank ewe2 for this post:

Beatlebug

I'm like Necko only I'm a bassist ukulele guitar synthesizer kazoo penguin and also everyone. Or is everyone me? Now I'm a confused bassist ukulele guitar synthesizer kazoo penguin everyone who is definitely not @Joe.  This has been true for 2016 & 2017 Sig-Badge.png but I may have to get more specific in the future.

aus-flag-v-small.png

18 November 2015
8.54pm
Avatar
Beatlebug
Find me where ye echo lays
Moderator

Moderators
Forum Posts: 18181
Member Since:
15 February 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

ewe2 said
John’s a low tenor he’s got about 2/3 of an octave on my range and I’m definitely a baritone. I think George’s range is underrated that way, he seems to have a very complete tenor range, with John and Paul either side. Even Ringo as a baritone has a pretty good range, I can’t do that high note in With A Little Help From My Friends (although I’m not sure Ringo’s been able to do it since).

I agree. His high end was rather weak in the early days, but as he sang more, it improved (naturally). He may not be as range-wise astounding as Paul (but seriously, who is?) or as throat-shredding incredible as John, but he is a talented singer in his own right (now there’s a difference between being a talented singer and a talented vocalist— I’d say J&P were in the latter category while G was in the former)… once again the curse/blessing of being in a band with Lennon & McCartney.

Actually George is the only vocalist I can think of about whom I can honestly say his range, control, etc. actually improved as he aged. 

The following people thank Beatlebug for this post:

ewe2

([{BRACKETS!}])
New to Forumpool? You can introduce yourself here.
If you love The Beatles Bible, and you have adblock, don't forget to white-list this site!
whiteheart.png
avatar_creative_signature_Hmm.pngStarSpangledBanner.png

18 November 2015
9.00pm
Avatar
ewe2
Inside the beat
Rishikesh
Members
Forum Posts: 3025
Member Since:
8 January 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Yes, I think George suffered from some not-good vocal recording on many of his 70’s tracks where there could have been some mid-body left in or at least double-tracking, he did a lot of very high singing on many tunes.

The following people thank ewe2 for this post:

Beatlebug

I'm like Necko only I'm a bassist ukulele guitar synthesizer kazoo penguin and also everyone. Or is everyone me? Now I'm a confused bassist ukulele guitar synthesizer kazoo penguin everyone who is definitely not @Joe.  This has been true for 2016 & 2017 Sig-Badge.png but I may have to get more specific in the future.

aus-flag-v-small.png

18 November 2015
9.06pm
Avatar
Beatlebug
Find me where ye echo lays
Moderator

Moderators
Forum Posts: 18181
Member Since:
15 February 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

And he did tend to sound better in the studio than live. 

Wow, we have digressed, haven’t we?… ahdn_paul_01

([{BRACKETS!}])
New to Forumpool? You can introduce yourself here.
If you love The Beatles Bible, and you have adblock, don't forget to white-list this site!
whiteheart.png
avatar_creative_signature_Hmm.pngStarSpangledBanner.png

18 November 2015
9.40pm
Avatar
ewe2
Inside the beat
Rishikesh
Members
Forum Posts: 3025
Member Since:
8 January 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

I think we’ve covered a few questions there ahdn_george_06

The following people thank ewe2 for this post:

Beatlebug

I'm like Necko only I'm a bassist ukulele guitar synthesizer kazoo penguin and also everyone. Or is everyone me? Now I'm a confused bassist ukulele guitar synthesizer kazoo penguin everyone who is definitely not @Joe.  This has been true for 2016 & 2017 Sig-Badge.png but I may have to get more specific in the future.

aus-flag-v-small.png

27 November 2015
7.49pm
Avatar
Beatlebug
Find me where ye echo lays
Moderator

Moderators
Forum Posts: 18181
Member Since:
15 February 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

@ewe2 Look what I found! https://www.beatlesbible.com/f…..cal-range/

Hmmm, think we should move this conversation over there? Or would that be too disruptive?

([{BRACKETS!}])
New to Forumpool? You can introduce yourself here.
If you love The Beatles Bible, and you have adblock, don't forget to white-list this site!
whiteheart.png
avatar_creative_signature_Hmm.pngStarSpangledBanner.png

27 November 2015
7.51pm
Avatar
Little Piggy Dragonguy
Nowhere Land
Rishikesh
Members
Forum Posts: 4141
Member Since:
5 November 2011
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Silly Girl said

Actually George is the only vocalist I can think of about whom I can honestly say his range, control, etc. actually improved as he aged. 

Same with Nick Jonas omg

All living things must abide by the laws of the shape they inhabit 

Forum Timezone: Europe/London
Most Users Ever Online: 700
Currently Online: Sea Belt
Guest(s) 1
Top Posters:
Starr Shine?: 16105
Ron Nasty: 12534
Zig: 9832
50yearslate: 8759
Necko: 8043
AppleScruffJunior: 7583
parlance: 7111
mr. Sun king coming together: 6402
Mr. Kite: 6147
trcanberra: 6064
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 88
Members: 2859
Moderators: 5
Admins: 1
Forum Stats:
Groups: 3
Forums: 44
Topics: 5509
Posts: 380341
Newest Members:
frankc, viv@nelsontraining.co.uk, bornhairyman, frankkilmore123@gmail.com, onlyanorthernsong
Moderators: Joe: 5691, meanmistermustard: 24950, Ahhh Girl: 22213, Beatlebug: 18181, The Hole Got Fixed: 8410
Administrators: Joe: 5691