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Acting in Plays, Singing/A Couple Longwinded Questions...Sorry!

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Expert: - 7/3/2008


Question
You might remember me, the girl who was in You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, the girl with the aspiring voice teacher? Maybe  not. Either way I have a few more questions for you.

1.) I would really like to become a more informed musician/singer since I would love to continue doing musicals. I have always loved to sing, but I think at last my voice has found it's place in the world of music. Everyone who has heard my voice during practice and during the show have pushed me to at least continue singing during high school. Despite my own lack of self confidence they also ensure me that I could make it as a professional singer later on with more training. I don't know about that. I do know I can not continue on the path to ignorance, which with my knowledge of musicals only covering two shows, I would say I am definitely on. And even though my library has very little information on anything to do with music (except maybe a biography on some rapper because "it will appeal to the teenagers." I can't help but cringe.) I still am at a loss as to where to begin my research. So maybe you could give me some pointers, and also a list of websites might be helpful since as previously stated my library is not exactly a well of information. By the way, I just started taking piano lessons on Tuesday. I believe that is a step in the right direction.

2.) I would love to be able to identify my true vocal category. I realize it would be difficult to do that by myself, but I was just wondering what the range was for a mezzo-soprano (which I suspect that I am) and a soprano. And if you really don't remember me even vaguely then just for reference I am 15. My choir teacher has placed me in the alto range and I have sang a part that, according to him, is written for a legit alto and actually delved into the tenor range. It was very difficult for me to reach the notes and produce volume at the same time, but normally I can sit pretty comfortably in that range. For the same concert I sang 2nd soprano, although I know I can go higher, and can reach the same high notes as the majority of our 1st sopranos with the same tone. Can you understand why am so confused?

3.) As I have said said before in my first question I have a natural vibrato, and normally I have control over it. When I auditioned in front of my director and the panel of judges I had complete control over my voice. But when call backs came around and we had ten minutes to learn a couple bars of the song and then sing it by our selfs, my voice was just not there for me. I had no volume which is not typical of me, and at the same time my vibrato was out of control. Which doesn't even make sense to me because my throat was tense. Is this the sort of question you can answer without hearing me?

I'm sorry for asking so many questions, and for having them be so long, but I really do appreciate the help.

Answer
Hello, Hannah –

Thank you for another question.  I remember our previous exchange and I maintain a file of all Q&As on allexperts.com.

Nobody can assure you that you will sustain a career in the performing arts.  In the world of musical theatre, it's always about the next set of auditions.  Depending on your location and availability – sometimes the show (or season) has nothing for your "type" or may not appeal to you personally.  It's always something.  You must counter these inevitable dry periods by diversifying your goals and making your talents available for opportunities other than musical theatre.  Or you will starve.

There are innumerable web sites and blogs that deal with musical theatre.  Start your research with something you know or have heard about.  For example – a road-show of A CHORUS LINE is coming to San Francisco next week.  If you were to do a paper on the show, you would start with the composer and lyricist.  What else have they written?  Including a dreadful film version, who has appeared in the roles and what have each of them done before and since?  That alone will keep you busy for a long time.

Save your money!  Ask the Librarian about "Inter-Library Loans".  Though you will have to wait until the material arrives, libraries loan other libraries all kinds of materials – including recordings and vocal scores.  Also, investigate college libraries near you.  Find out if you can use materials in the library even though you cannot check them out.

Regarding your vocal category – it's very possible you may be a mezzo-soprano.  Speaking in treble clef, the standard range of a mezzo is a two-octave span between Low A and High A.  All my mezzos exercise to High C and down to Low F, some can do more.  A standard soprano's range sits between the two octaves of Middle C and High C.  All my sopranos sing to at least High D, some go higher.  Their lower (and audible) range is generally around Low A.

Listen to some samples of recordings by Classical mezzo-sopranos MARILYN HORNE, FREDERICA VON STADE, and DOLORA ZAJICK. These women are fantastically trained and represent supreme examples of the power and range possible for the mezzo-soprano voice.  Who knows?  You may find new inspiration and fresh motivation to one day re-locate to a more cosmopolitan city with greater opportunities and a more-comprehensive library.

I am a professional singing teacher and vocal coach in San Francisco.  When you want to book a session, you can contact me through Craig's List – http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/lss/735495752.html — and at www.SanFranciscoSentinel.com.

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

SAMSON & DELILAH – Meet Seán Martinfield
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Sean+Martinfield&search=Search

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

VIVA TO THE DIVAS! – SF Opera Summer Season Concludes This Weekend
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?cat=65

SILENT FILM FESTIVAL, 2008 – Opens Friday, July 11th at The Castro Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14350

BREAKFAST WITH SCOT – Final Curtain on FRAMELINE 32
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/

TALENT COMPETITON – On-Line Reality for A CHORUS LINE
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14200

SF INTERNATIONAL LGBT FILM FESTIVAL – Continues through Sunday, June 29th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14210

AUDITION NOTICE – Hillbarn Theatre – Saturday and Sunday, June 28th & 29th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14149

ARIODANTE – Cross-Dressing Goes Baroque – at SAN FRANCISCO OPERA
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14127

WOMEN IMPRESSIONISTS – At San Francisco’s Legion of Honor
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14106

TIMOTHY HORN – BITTER SUITE – A Sweet Tribute To Alma Spreckels
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14049

‘TIS PITY SHE’S A WHORE – At A.C.T through July 6th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=13840

60TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT – San Francisco Boys Chorus celebrates this Sunday Night at the War Memorial Opera House
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=13747

FREE OPERA AT AT&T BALLPARK – Lucia di Lammermoor, June 20th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=13640

CONTEMPORARY JEWISH MUSEUM – A Grand Opening!
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=13685

DAS RHEINGOLD – Opens Summer Season 2008 at San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=13525

JAMES JUDD’S 7 SINS – Devilish Hilarity At the Exit Theatre Until June 21st
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=13478

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA – Summer Season Opens Tuesday, June 3rd
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=13396

BACH'S MASS IN B MINOR, Saturday, May 31st – At Mission Dolores Basilica
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=13335

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN – Just say “NO!”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=13041

SAN FRANCISCO PHILANTHROPISTS ROCK THE FOUR SEASONS FOR RAPHAEL HOUSE FUNDRAISING GALA
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=12672

IT’S MURDER, MARY! – A Killer World Premiere at The New Conservatory Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=13133

ERIK BATZ – A Conversation With “The Scarecrow” At The Mountain Play
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=12892

SAN FRANCISCO BALLET’S 2009 SEASON – Includes World Premiere of All-New Swan Lake by Helgi Tomasson
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=12715

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

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

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

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

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

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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