# Re female singers like Mariah Carey who can sing into the "whistle register" **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 7, 2008, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-female-singers-like-mariah-carey-who-can-sing-into-the-whistle-register/448384 "2008-05-07T01:59:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2008, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-female-singers-like-mariah-carey-who-can-sing-into-the-whistle-register/448384/1 "2008-05-07T01:59:13Z")
[In reading this wiki on Mariah Carey](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariah_Carey) I saw this note re the “whistle register”. > [@](#): > > Carey has earned five Grammy Awards, and is well-known for her vocal range, power, melismatic style, and use of the [whistle register.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whistle_register) > [@](#): > > The whistle register (also called the flageolet register or whistle tone) is the highest register of the human voice lying above the modal register and falsetto register in the female voice. This register has a specific physiological production that is different from the other registers, and is so called because the timbre of the notes that are produced from this register are similar to that of a whistle. > > In some sopranos the modal register vocal production may extend into what is usually thought of as the whistle register.[1] Women of all voice types can use the whistle register. With proper vocal training, it is possible for most women to develop this part of the voice. Children can also phonate in the whistle register and men can as well in very rare instances.[1] Does anyone have a link for a sound clip that demonstrates what singing in the whistle register sounds like? ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2008, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-female-singers-like-mariah-carey-who-can-sing-into-the-whistle-register/448384/2 "2008-05-07T02:07:10Z")
I have never heard that expression, although I remember a singer in the 70’s, Minnie Ripperton, who had a big top 40 hit that included her singing way up in the stratosphere. It still sounded like a voice, though. Go to [this page](http://www.minnieriperton.com/sub/lyrics.html) and check out the clip “Lovin’ You.” ---
**Author:** ![WoodenTaco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/45deac/32.png) [@WoodenTaco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WoodenTaco)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2008, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-female-singers-like-mariah-carey-who-can-sing-into-the-whistle-register/448384/3 "2008-05-07T02:08:28Z")
Here you go: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxu5p82Ni-8](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxu5p82Ni-8) ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2008, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-female-singers-like-mariah-carey-who-can-sing-into-the-whistle-register/448384/4 "2008-05-07T02:09:40Z")
Go to YouTube and plug in the words “Whistle Register”. The videos that come up on top will serve as good examples. ---
**Author:** ![scm1001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@scm1001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scm1001)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2008, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-female-singers-like-mariah-carey-who-can-sing-into-the-whistle-register/448384/5 "2008-05-07T04:26:58Z")
man those are some chickens being strangled. Could any man reach that high? ---
**Author:** ![Apollyon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/apollyon/32/4238_2.png) [@Apollyon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apollyon)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2008, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-female-singers-like-mariah-carey-who-can-sing-into-the-whistle-register/448384/6 "2008-05-07T04:33:02Z")
[QUOTE=scm1001] Could any man reach that high? [/QUOTE] Well… [sorta](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castrato) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2008, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-female-singers-like-mariah-carey-who-can-sing-into-the-whistle-register/448384/7 "2008-05-07T04:45:15Z")
[QUOTE=scm1001] man those are some chickens being strangled. Could any man reach that high? [/QUOTE] [Adam Lopez](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5lCH_H0DJc&feature=related) [Plus this guy](http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=zQQ5sEOhbjQ&feature=related) but he’s cheating