Sort of on this subject - how many octaves does a singer usually sing? Do some singers cover many more than others? What about opera - more octaves or just higher ones? What key do singers sing in (or does it depend)? How many singing octaves are there?

Sorry, I'm such a dunce but I like to know the answers....

Well if that rumour is true it will certainly be make or break time for Sam.

So pleased they are finally going to sing MT songs. This is what I'd like to hear.

Jodie. Miss Adelaide's Lament from Guys and Dolls. (See if she can be funny and act at the same time without being OTT.)

Sam. Being Alive. from company.

Niamh. The wizard and I. (I want to see her connect with the audience and tell a story.)

Jessie. Look to the rainbow. from Finian's Rainbow.

Rachel. Marilyn Monroe from Blood Brothers (Something subtle)

Mariah Carey has an allegedly four octave range. One of the best out there.

Oh, I would love that. I think she'd make a wonderful Adelaide and it's such a brilliant part.

I think it was Christina Aguilera herself who said she had 5?! (Xtina, not Mariah )

Wow, Sam has got a big deal with that song. If she pulls it off, it'll be spectacular. On the other hand, she could quite easily fall completely flat on her face.

Generally although this is a sweeping generalisation I would say that opera singers have a larger range than MT singers as these opera singers tend to be trained more specifically in singing and MT singers are also trained in acting and dancing.

Opera singers voices come in hugely different ranges as there are altos, mezzo's, soprano's and subdivisions within this as well.

I'd say a normal range would be around 2 and a bit octaves. but to be honest, the size of range doesn't really matter as long as it is a range that fits nicely for the music and, has a nice quality to it. I would be very very surprised if either christina or mariah had any more than a 3/3.5 octave range but i could be wrong.

I stand corrected on Mariah's, apparently it's 5 octaves. Source: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001014/bio

and I stand corrected, Christina has 4

I don't know this song at all. I'd have thought that it might not be well enough known to the general public for it to make a very strong positive impact.

but if she gets it they will be blown away

its a spectacular song

Excellent suggestion. I really think she would pull it off.

What - the viewers? Even if they are completely unfamiliar with it? What kind of song is it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47zTfXOFeTQ

It's here. Don't look peeps if you don't want to know.

Does Sam's voice have the power for Defying Gravity? It's a lot harder than all of the other songs she's performed. Though if she does it well it could potentially win her the competition. Though bad versions of DG are very painful on the ears.

Seriously? The week after Ash goes and they give them the best theme.

...would not be expected to sing more than 2 octaves with accuracy and even tone.

A classical soloist (female) might achieve 2 and a half to three but sacrificing some quality at either top or bottom end dependent upon her range.

The Queen of the Night aria from Magic Flute doesn't ask for more than that and it's considered to be very taxing.

What these pop singers manage (or claim to manage) sounds ludicrous to me. They must be making noises or squeaks rather than singing. The notes at the outer limits of their range have to be produced in unorthodox ways and not technically "sung". They are basically sound effects - if true.

Thanks, froglet! I remain unconvinced that this would be a vote-grabber for Samantha, although ALW would no doubt wet himself.

After watching Defying Gravity back again (thanks to Froglet - is it me or does Menzel sound ill there ), I'm confused about how they're planning on tackling it. Without the whole scene it's a really disjointed song, and I'm assume they're gonna take out Glinda's part? Part of me also wonders if part of why the song is so special to Wicked fans is to do with Elphaba's flight at the end? I can't help but think it might come across a bit flat without that - has anyone seen the show when the lift fails? Hmm. Well, it'll be interesting, anyway!

I hope that the rumour is true that its MT numbers - about time!!!

And I hope there is no "cheating" and sneaking in jukebox musical pop songs ...

But I cannot believe that they would give Sam Defying Gravity. Its very challenging vocally, she will shout the belt bits and will overact, its not something she can really dance to (and we all know how ALW enjoys her dancing!), I really don't think it would do her any favours at all.

And I will not have one of my favourite songs ruined!

never heard of that song but just watched on youtube and all i can say is.....erm, good luck sam, dont think it will do her any favours - its a bit rubbish and cant see her pulling it off

Yes I was thinking that- I was wondering how they are going to work it as it starts off a duet, and has dialogue in the middle, and parts at the end with a big backing ensemble...

I'm wondering whether the rumour is actually true. It is not exactly well known apartfrom with Wicked fans, so seems a strange (and ridiculously difficult) choice. Now we have discussed it so much it'll probably turn out to be completely false

Defying gravity 'a bit rubbish'!!!! I think not!!!

Take that back!

Sam's going to mutilate Defying Gravity - it's a hard song to sing and it'll sound too shouty (I'm afraid Idina Menzel in that youtube vid is way too shouty for my liking). If she does it justice it would be the performance of the series but I don't think any of the girls would be ready to tackle that song...

Incidentally, as much as I like it, I do think Wicked is slightly overrated.

I really hope this rumour is true though. And this time, pick songs from proper musicals too!