CHINA: Music teacher is prepares to beat the Guinness World Record for the greatest vocal range

Some say that Mariah Carey has the widest vocal range in the world. But the real Guinness World Record holder is Tim Storm - an American who can reach six octaves. Now a 52 year- old Chinese music teacher has an ambition to break the record. Li Wenxing (pron: lee wehn hseeng), a plucky Beijinger who has applied to the Guinness World Record headquarters in London, wants to smash Storm's record with six octaves plus a minor triad (one and a half tones). Once he collects enough sponsors to invite local media and experts as witnesses, Li will be ready to challenge the world record at any time next year. In 2004 the music teacher went to a state-owned sound testing centre based in Beijing to have his vocal range tested. He was confirmed to have six octaves at that time - and he says he is in even better shape today. Two years on his range is even broader. "I strengthened my confidence, and at the time (2004) I believed my vocal range was wider than theirs (other Guinness World Record holders'). I wanted to challenge the world record after I had my vocal range tested - because on that day I wasn't even in very good condition. So if I am in good condition, I can break the Guinness World Record at any time," said Li Wenxing. Tim Storm, the 34-year-old American set a series of Guinness World Record from January 2002. His lowest voice is 8 Hz, below the range of human's hearing ability. Li explained that due to their vocal cords, most people can only sing in either a low, middle or high vocal range. It is difficult for people to sing all the three ranges and pronounce the lyrics clearly. To demonstrate his extraordinary ability, Li has written a song that has the world's widest a vocal range, covering more than six octaves. He calls it "world music", which contains no lyrics and can be appreciated by people all over the world. Li told Reuters that he will also apply to Guinness for this song after it is published and is copyrighted. It may bring him awards, but Li says his hobby doesn't always make him friends, though. "Yes, my neighbours are uncomfortable, because (my voice) is indeed piercing. Yes, if I reach the highest pitch, they feel annoyed. So I practice at other places that will not disturb them," said Li Wenxing. Li started studying music at 16 - and he has been teaching music in high schools for more than 30 years. But his students are not just teenagers, but also adults and retirees from all walks of life - including an actor, a construction worker as well as a farmer. Qin Li makes his living as a stage performer - he says Li's method has strengthened his vocal cords. "I was an oral imitation actor, I had to mimic many sounds, (here Qin mimics a sound), and these sounds are diversified, like (here Qin mimics a drum), and all kinds of animals. Because of that my voice was easily broken, and I got pharyngitis, I coughed a lot (here Qin mimics cough). But after I began practicing vocal music with Mr. Li in his way, my pharyngitis disappeared. My throat recovered completely," Qin Li (pron: cheen lee), one of Li's students said. Li claims that he has created a scientific training method which enables ordinary people, as long as they can speak, to reach a rather wide vocal range and sing in beautiful tones. One of his students is a believer, and wants to prove that his method is effective. "I was a worker, doing construction. I drove cranes, big cranes at a construction site. Now I have retired, and have nothing to do. Because I like vocal music I came to learn from Mr. Li," said Wang Liangying (pron: wahng lee-ahng yeeng). With his six-octave range it is no surprise that Li can sing either tenor or bass parts. And if he succeeds with his world record plans, Li will have the greatest male vocal range in the world.

ITN Source | December 3, 2006

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