JPF Home Page Forums Musician Gear and Techniques Microphone and Vocalist Forum A question about octaves??

Thanks: I'm trying to figure out what I am as a singer( Iknow, the not great octave Haha) I've been told I am a tenor (ten or twelve miles away) lol When singing in church with the congregation, I sing my normal voice, I can go higher if the song calls for it, but I can't go the next step higher, when the song goes there, I drop back below my tenor(normal) range to bass. Is this what they call three octave range? Is it normal to sing bass to a higher range song if you can't reach the higher notes? I know I get some strange looks from those around me when I do, maybe I should shut up then LOL. I don't profess to be a singer so these questions may seem stupid.