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Acting in Plays, Singing/Stereotype/Non ballad song

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Expert: - 7/20/2008


Question
QUESTION: Sean,

I am 17 and a tenor with a high note about A flat being my limit before going to falsetto.  Anyway I am known in my school for singing the ballads and being labeled with the voice of Raoul or the Phantom for "The Phantom of the Oprea".  I am very soft spoken but with the "sweeter" voice I suppose, singing such songs as: "Bring Him Home"-Les Miserables, "Larger than Life"-My Favorite Year, "Alone in the Universe"-Seussical etc.
Anyway,
A) Can you reccomend songs I can work on that are less ballads and can get me out of the stereotype I am in
B) Are there any techniques you may reccomend so that I can project more?

Thank you for your time reading my long message and thank you for your upcoming advice.

ANSWER: Hello, Matthew –

Thank you for the question.  Why private?

Many singers have similar concerns.  Let's share our exchange.

Please re-submit your question openly and I will respond.

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/752973810.html .

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:

THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE – Now through July 27th at Broadway By The Bay
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14777

AMERICAN IDOL – A ‘REALITY’ WAKE-UP CALL AT SAN FRANCISCO CITY HALL
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14720

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

A CHORUS LINE – Now at the Curran Theatre until July 27th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14702

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

COPPOLA'S "THE CONVERSATION" – AT THE LEGION OF HONOR, July 17th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14532

SAN FRANCISCO SILENT FILM FESTIVAL OPENS TONIGHT
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14576

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

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

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

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

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

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

Best regards,
Seán Martinfield

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Sean, I am 17 and a tenor with a high note about A flat being my limit before going to falsetto.  Anyway I am known in my school for singing the ballads and being labeled with the voice of Raoul or the Phantom for "The Phantom of the Oprea".  I am very soft spoken but with the "sweeter" voice I suppose, singing such songs as: "Bring Him Home"-Les Miserables, "Larger than Life"-My Favorite Year, "Alone in the Universe"-Seussical etc.
Anyway,
A) Can you reccomend songs I can work on that are less ballads and can get me out of the stereotype I am in
B) Are there any techniques you may reccomend so that I can project more?

Thank you for your time reading my long message and thank you for your upcoming advice.

Answer
Hi, Matthew –

Thank you for the question.

If I were your vocal coach, the first thing we determine is your vocal category.  High A-flat is the top note for many baritones.  All of my baritones sing to at least High A, some go higher.  Thus, their performance High G and all the other notes in their upper register are a walk in the park.  If in fact you are a tenor – even a "soft-spoken" one – then you would own at least High B-flat or higher before you left your first lesson with me.  That is accomplished through scale work.  My job is to show you HOW.

If it is possible for you to link me to something you have recorded, I would be happy to listen to it.  From your brief description, I am not totally convinced you are as delicate as you describe.  The gimmick of "Bring Him Home" is breath control and floating the tones in what many might term as an "Irish Tenor".

Let's say you are a tenor.  Then you need to beef-up your scales to include more than a two-octave range.  Speaking in treble clef, that range should extend from the B-flat below Middle C to High D, i.e., a range of two octaves plus a major third.  You must do this every day or you will never advance beyond your present vocal abilities nor be able to compete against those better trained than you.  Again, my job is to show you how to accomplish this.  Nevertheless, consider the songs below.  They are standard fare for true lyric tenors.  Always check the Original Score for correct keys.  "Vocal Selections" are often published in some other key, sometimes lower.

All I Need Is The Girl – GYPSY
Come to me, bend to me – BRIGADOON
It's A Lovely Day Today – CALL ME MADAM
Love, I Hear – A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM
When I'm Not Near The Girl I Love – FINIAN'S RAINBOW
Younger Than Springtime – SOUTH PACIFIC

I want you to get this set of anthologies:
The Singer's Musical Theatre Anthology - Tenor
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3

Each of the songs is published in the original key.  Then listen to the Original Cast recordings.  Always check your Library first.

I am a professional singing teacher and vocal coach in San Francisco.  If you are in the Bay Area, you contact me through Craig's List – http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/lss/767796273.html. Or e-mail me through any of my columns on 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:
BERNADETTE PETERS and MITZI GAYNOR – Ladies of The Town, Tonight
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=15003

INON BARNATAN, Pianist – Thursday Night, Davies Symphony Hall
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14913

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE – Now at San Francisco's Orpheum Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14877

THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE – Now through July 27th at Broadway By The Bay
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14777

AMERICAN IDOL – A ‘REALITY’ WAKE-UP CALL AT SAN FRANCISCO CITY HALL
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14720

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

A CHORUS LINE – Now at the Curran Theatre until July 27th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14702

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

COPPOLA'S "THE CONVERSATION" – AT THE LEGION OF HONOR, July 17th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14532

SAN FRANCISCO SILENT FILM FESTIVAL OPENS TONIGHT
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14576

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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