Acting in Plays, Singing/Voice problems

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Expert: - 4/10/2008


Question
Hello,
I am 14 years old and a soprano. Whenever I sing lately my throat becomes very dry and sore, it cracks alot, and I have trouble hitting high notes. told my school chorus teacher as soon as I noticed the problem   but they said it sounded like I was doing everything correctly and they didn't know why I would be having that problem. I sing alot in many different choirs, competitions, musicals, and in church  and I have never had many problems before. I do have a private voice teacher who can always help me fix any problems I'm having with my voice. However, she is on vacation for two weeks. Before then I have a concert, lots of rehearsals and today I have to sing a solo at school. I know I am breathing properly like my voice teacher taught me to, and I know there isn't any tension because there is vibrato in my voice. I'm doing exactly what I've always have done so I have no idea why my voice is having problems. I'd really appreciate any help you can offer.

Answer
Hi, Maddy –

Thank you for a well-stated question.

As a professional singer and vocal coach I understand the issue from both sides of the piano.  I want you to read my response to the previous question from someone who is singing the role of "Sarah Brown" in GUYS AND DOLLS.  Along with all of that is the consideration of keeping yourself better hydrated than what you are accustomed to.  Some singers simply need more water than others.  In addition to that, is your daily diet.  Depending on your own body type, there are foods and herbs which can alleviate all kinds of dryness – whether you sing or not.

My job as a singing teacher is to show you how to maximize and sustain your vocal range.  All my sopranos sing to at least D above High C, most go higher.  The ultimate goal is to produce a fully balanced tonality throughout the entire register.  Fourteen is very young for a soprano, especially one who says, " I have never had many problems before."

Well, now you are.  And with your current coach out of town and the teacher at school throwing his hands in the air – you don't know what to do and the assignments just keep on coming.  Based on my own experience, the best suggestion I can make is for you to get another opinion from another coach.  For me to help you, I need to hear you – with the material and in the specific passages where you notice the stress.  Some singers are forwarding me their on-line recorded material.  Can you?

There is never just one overall solution.  Given the variety of your performing experiences – most of them being with groups and with separate repertoire – the solution for the Soloist is not always the same as for a member of an Ensemble.  Obviously, what has been OK so far is no longer proving reliable.  What if your present coach moved away?  How would you go about finding someone else to work with?

If or when you are in the San Francisco Bay Area and want a coaching session, contact me through Craig's List –
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/lss/639441046.html

Take a look at my newest You Tube:
Lorena Feijóo - A Look at "Giselle" with Seán Martinfield
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33-a6Oa-0j4

I am also the fine arts critc for the San Francisco Sentinel.  Below are some links to recent articles and reviews:

CHERYL BURKE DANCE – Dancing with Gavin and Jennifer
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=11873

CHERYL BURKE RESCUES THE METRONOME BALLROOM
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=11150

SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, 2008
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=11727

SAN FRANCISCO BALLET – Program 6 – An International Salute
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=11592

DALE CHIHULY – Lighting-Up At The de Young
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=11432

THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR – Inspecting A.C.T. until May 20th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?cat=10

At the Asian Art Museum – DRAMA AND DESIRE
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?cat=10

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY – 14th Season with Michael Tilson Thomas
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=11074

MELISSA MANCHESTER – A Conversation with Seán Martinfield
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=10419

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA – ON SCREEN AT THE CASTRO THEATRE
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=10898

WEST SIDE STORY SUITE – Standing Ovation for San Francisco Ballet Premiere
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=10924

ANNIE LEIBOVITZ – On her show at the Legion of Honor
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=10764

LORENA FEIJÓO – A Conversation with Seán Martinfield
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/index.php?s=Lorena

SWEENEY TODD – PRIME CUTS FROM DIRECTOR TIM BURTON
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=8434

ANITA COCKTAIL and LEANNE BORGHESI – A 3-Way Dialogue
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=8007

NORMA SHEARER in “MARIE ANTOINETTE” – At the Legion of Honor
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=8783

JENNIFER SIEBEL – A Conversation with Seán Martinfield
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=6361

An Interview with PASCAL MOLAT, Principal Dancer of the San Francisco Ballet
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=305

Best regards,
Seán Martinfield

Acting in Plays, Singing

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Sean Martinfield

Expertise

I am a professional vocal coach in San Francisco. In addition to answers from a previous web site (Askme.com - where my "tag" was "VocalCoach") I have published over 2000 responses related to vocal training - particularly as it relates to Musical Theatre and Opera. I have 24 years of experience as Personal Trainer to singers and actors in the San Francisco Bay Area. I sang professionally for 20 years and know what it means to live the life of a musician. I can determine your voice category, i.e., Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Alto Belter, etc., and how to broaden and strengthen your range. Need an audition song for a Broadway Musical? I will give you suggestions that are appropriate to your vocal category and to requirements specified in the audition notice. I have also created a vocal methodology, "The Belter`s Method". It will enable those in Musical Theatre to practice more efficiently because it focuses on the demands of professional performers as well as to those auditioning for school and community productions, and as University and Conservatory performing arts majors. If what you want is a better voice and more control over your career moves and choices, contact me. Also, as the Editor of SanFranciscoSentinel.com, it is my privilege to review productions at the San Francisco Opera, Ballet and Symphony, as well as Broadway National Tours booked into San Francisco's Orpheum, Golden Gate and Curran Theatres. I also review works by A.C.T (the American Conservatory Theatre) and Magic Theatre. I cover select films, tributes and retrospects, and various international film festivals – particulary those booked into The City's opulent Castro Theatre – including the LGBT Frameline Festival, International Film Festival, Silent Film Festival, Jewish Film Festival, etc. For private vocal instruction, I can be contacted through SanFranciscoSentinel.com. Look under: Seán Martinfield, Sentinel Editor and Publisher.

Experience

As a vocal coach, I work primarily with singers and actors throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. My students range from absolute beginners to working professionals, from pre-schoolers to senior citizens. The vast majority of my clients come to me through recommendation. I know how to identify any singer's vocal category, i.e., soprano, tenor, alto, baritone, etc. I know how to muscle-up every singer's vocal range and to expand it beyond conventional definitions. I have developed a vocal methodology for those who want to know how to belt, THE BELTER'S METHOD. As a singer who spent half of his career doing Bel Canto, I know that classical or Italian methodologies do not work in Standard American music. Bel Canto cannot be "adapted" to meet the needs of contemporary American music, including the demands of the Musical Theatre. There are a number of major components to my work as a vocal coach. The first is to identify the client's vocal category and to strengthen and maximize the vocal range accordingly. Then it's about teaching a reliable vocal workout that will enable the client to gain better control of their musicianship. That includes scale work to expand the vocal range and to improve placement, breath control, and diction. Then we work on material for the audition portfolio, the immediate job or assignment, a recording session, etc. My task to is to better equip singers and actors who are hoping to or relying upon their performance skills and vocal endurance to maintain a career in the Performing Arts. My clients regularly appear in cabarets and musical productions throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Some have worked in New York and gone on National Tours. For more information, Contact me at: Broadwaybelters@yahoo.com

Education/Credentials
San Francisco State University – BA in Theatre Arts; graduate work in Theatre, Philosophy, and Comparative Reiligion. Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley – Graduate work in Ethics

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