Are you fond of the lower, middle, or higher register?

Ah, an interesting question to be sure.

I have long preferred the range of the Viola to that of the violin. Indeed, as I have aged (I'm an old bird of seventy one years), I increasingly find the upper register of the violin screechy and uncomfortable. The lower register of the flute is more beautiful to my ears as well.

It is interesting to note that the Cello music that J.S. Bach wrote was played in the lower register of the cello compared to today's concert cello music. I believe he had it right. Of course his organ works are a different matter. I cannot resist the wonderful low Pedal notes on a really fine organ such as the magnificent organ at the First Congregational Church in Los Angeles....wow! Though the pedal is very compelling, when the high trumpets are sounded, I certainly take notice....smiles.

Of course with pipe organ, much of our appreciation has to do with building acoustics. I had many times heard organ concerts at DC's Washington Cathedral and the stone edifice (with no structural steel) has amazing reverberation qualities, certainly magnifying the overall acoustic effect. When studying choral music at the UK's Canterbury some years ago, the organ at the Canterbury Cathedral had a similar resounding ring. Though too much echo can be a negative.

On the instrument that I play, classic guitar, the pitch range is a modest three and a half octaves; so the entire range is often used in a classical composition, though I admit that the lower bass tones are most satisfying to me.

As to the harp, even if I can somehow get past the confusing buildup of undamped chords ringing on top of each other (a serious harp shortcoming), I do not like the unmusical plinking, plinking, short vibrations of the upper strings....not very attractive to me. It is interesting to me to note that though the harp and the guitar are both "plucked" string instruments, the guitar, thankfully, has none of the annoying shortcomings of the harp. Of course, I am shamefully biased.

Well, it is mostly subjective of course, but interesting none the less. And I must wonder if by census we might determine that age plays a part in our preferences.

Thanks for an interesting subject.

Cliff E. (classic guitarist)

I like the higher register. I can certainly see the appeal of the lower register i.e. the cello.

But I'm a girl and a proud soprano; I am generally more attracted and comfortable with the higher register like the violin and the harp. <- love these instruments

I can't say that I have a favorite registration nor instrument. I love particular passages in different pieces composed for different instruments.

For instance, I love the power of the pedals(lower register)of this organ piece: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by2PHDfBa1w

I find the frenziedly energetic passages for the strings all up and down their registration exhilarating, and adore the horns accentuation back and forth to the full orchestral staccatos at the very end(beginning about 8:49) in Dvorak's "Carnival Overture": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYMpt5Lg3cw&feature...

The ethereal "tinkling" of the piano's highest registration in this piano transcription of the final scene - the "Magic Fire" music - from Wagner's "Die Walkure", is just simply for me-------------"magical": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLJxWm9CNGE&feature...

Alberich

Low to middle.

... oh for a 32' or 64' stop on the organ.

As for flute, first two octaves, I've often thought I should get an alto.

I like the middle register, ie., the clarinet.

i play the clarinet, and the v high register makes me laugh. my cat hates it though!