Acting in Plays, Singing/Hoarseness/Laryngitis?

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Expert: - 5/9/2008


Question
Hello,
I'm not a trained singer and don't have any extensive background in vocals. Music has been is in my family blood, and I DO have extensive training in piano/keyboards and play many other instruments.
I began "actually" singing (not in the car or quietly at home) about 4-5 years ago. Have had little training (can't afford any now for a while sadly), but I developed my voice greatly over the past 4 years and became the lead vocalist in my group after I stopped being even a little shy and really gave it my all.

I have had what I believe is called hoarseness (possibly from laryngitis) for what seems to be an eternity! (but more likely for about 2 weeks, give or take a few days or so.) it's worse in the morning, and gets better throughout the day, but we are recording vocals for the new album and I refuse to go sing because I don't want to have a terrible album.
I have been very busy (ex. P-Funk afterparty with another band till 5am) and not had very healing conditions. But I've tried to take care of myself and my voice, and am very worried my voice might never go back to the way it was. included in these unhealthy environments is a scenario where I sanded (with a flooring company) a wood floor without a mask for a little while before the guy who was supposed to get them actually got them.

I just moved, don't have enough money to go to any sort of professionals, and am very distraught. Especially because most websites and such say that if it is chronic for 2 weeks or more then it could be a node or something serious.

Any advice? on...uuuummm... anything I just said?
is it normal to have longer healing periods?
I also avoid going to doctors and getting antibiotics for small petty things, so I refuse to go get drugged for something like a minor URI. but if there is danger of my voice never healing I might have to consider it.

thanks,
Jamiel

Answer
Hey, Jamiel –

Thank you for the question.

I am not in the position to give either medical or pharmaceutical advice – especially without hearing you.  What I pick up from you is that nobody can tell you anything.

Nevertheless, while I have your attention – as a professional singer and vocal coach I know that until you find out exactly what is going on with your vocal cords from an ENT (ear-nose-throat specialist) you will not know exactly what is going on with your vocal cords.  After you find out – and let's both hope it's not nodes – then you have to get serious about getting serious training.

What you lack is a reliable vocal work-out.  You don't know how to exercise your voice.  All you have done thus far is rely on your youthful enthusiasm and musical savvy to create the "sound" of a lead vocalist.  Now you're in a position to produce the demo that is going to get you and your band more work.  And now your voice has quit on you.

If by chance you experience some temporary relief – after some extended rehearsals – your vocal trauma will return.  Count on it.

The only way you will get your performance chops back is to learn how to exercise your voice.  As with any professional instrumentalist soloing with any orchestra in the world right now – it all starts with scales.  You learn how to play your instrument through a complex variety of scales.  You heal your voice from all the wear and tear of rehearsals and performances through the same complex variety of scales.  Simple.

When you finally learn how to do that, both you and your band and anyone who hires you will know that you can deliver the goods any night of the week, any week of the year, year after year.

If you can't– then all your band has to do is find another Lead Singer who can.  Simple.

I am a professional singing teacher and vocal coach in San Francisco.  If you are in the Bay Area, contact me through Craig's List –
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/lss/669655592.html

Take a look at my You Tubes:
Lorena Feijóo - A Look at "Giselle" with Seán Martinfield
SAMSON & DELILAH – Meet Seán Martinfield

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

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM – Now at The Curran Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?cat=10

A CONVERSATION WITH MAESTRO HELMUTH RILLING
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=12494

RICHARD C. BARKER – Named Chair of San Francisco Ballet’s Board of Trustees
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/

SAN FRANCISCO CONCERT CHORALE PRESENTS – THE BACH EXPERIENCE
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=12305

7 SINS – EXTENDED AT THEATRE RHINO THROUGH MAY 17th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=12270

ANTIQUE ROADSTERS RACE FROM NOB HILL – THE 2008 SAN FRANCISCO MILLE
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=12210

LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN – Restored Film Noir Classic at SF International Film Festival
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=12196

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL – At the Orpheum, San Francisco
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=11906

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 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

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

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

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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