From Tim Elliott on Facebook: per Mera Desh: In 2016, a team of European scientists, led by Dr. Christian Herbst at the University of Vienna, conducted a groundbreaking analysis of Freddie Mercury’s voice. Their study confirmed that Mercury’s vocal cords vibrated at an extraordinary rate of 7.04 Hz, exceeding the vibrato of nearly every known rock or classical singer. This faster-than-average oscillation helped produce the shimmering, restless energy in recordings like “Somebody to Love,” a sound that felt electrifying even in the quietest moments.
Mercury’s singing incorporated subharmonics, a technique often found in traditional throat singing from Tuva. Subharmonics allowed him to sing notes lower than his vocal folds’ basic frequency, layering tones in ways no other rock vocalist had managed. For instance, in the studio version of “We Are the Champions,” these subharmonics lent a gravity and resonance that made the song feel monumental. Dr. Herbst’s research revealed that Mercury could slip in and out of subharmonics seamlessly, indicating an instinctive, almost reflexive command of advanced vocal physics.
One of the most fascinating aspects the scientists discovered was Mercury’s four-octave range, which he utilized with astonishing agility. He moved from forceful baritone growls to bright tenor peaks with no perceptible strain. During live performances of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” he shifted registers several times in a single phrase, a feat that required not only range but also minute muscular control of the larynx.
Spectrographic analysis showed how his vocal fold vibrations changed in thickness and tension in milliseconds, allowing him to hit soaring notes with pinpoint accuracy.
Mercury’s vibrato carried an irregularity that created a signature unpredictability. The rapid flutter, measured in the lab, sounded almost like an electrical current running through each sustained note. Unlike the polished, symmetrical vibrato of opera singers, his voice felt raw and alive. This quality came through vividly in tracks like “It’s a Hard Life,” where every phrase carried a sense of immediacy and danger, as if the music itself might burst into flames.
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Read more about what might have made Freddie’s voice so unique here:
Amazing History and Archaeology
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