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Acting in Plays, Singing/developing vocal range and finding the best songs to sing

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Expert: - 7/13/2008


Question
Hello,
I am a 19 year old woman and I am learning the basics of vocal technique on my own. (I plan to get a voice teacher when I get back to college, as that's where I spend most of the year) I am having trouble figuring out and developing my vocal range. I consider myself a low mezzo/high alto, but sometimes I'll find songs that are considered "alto" songs and I won't be able to sing them very well because there are too many leaps (like from a D to a C on the treble scale, for example). I can't seem to switch from middle to head voice very well, and I don't know why. I can belt and mix, and I can sing some soprano songs (although obviously they're not the best renditions), but something about changing registers is hard for me. Will a teacher help me with this? I can't seem to figure it out on my own.

Also, I don't really have a "legit" voice--is there a book out there of songs from rock musicals/folk songs for altos/mezzos?

Answer
Hello, Louisa –

Thank you for the question.

There is no such as being a "low mezzo/high alto".  Moreover, if you are some variety of mezzo-soprano, then the soprano repertoire is not for you.  Also, without formal training, you are already packing your perceptions with vague terminology, i.e., head voice, switch, legit, mix, belt, etc.

My job as a professional vocal coach is to determine your true vocal category and to then teach you a reliable workout that will strengthen, expand and maintain your vocal range.  In the Classical arena as well as musical theatre, training is related to the repertoire designated for the particular vocal category, i.e., soprano, mezzo-soprano, contralto, etc.  In the pop/standard world you can sing anything you want anywhere you can as long as the material is placed in keys that work for you.  All of this is difficult to determine on your own.

I understand the frustrations of being in-between college, private training, etc.  Until you are on a more defined path, my best advice is for you to become a better-informed musician.  No matter your sound and repertoire – you can always improve your knowledge of music theory and get yourself into Olympic physical condition for your college admission auditions.

I want you to acquire this set of anthologies: THE SINGER'S MUSICAL THEATRE ANTHOLOGY - Alto, Alto/Belter, Mezzo Soprano
– Volume 1
– Volume 2
– Volume 3

Also, get these anthologies devoted to traditional "folk songs"
FOLK SONGS – For Medium Low Voice, Vol. 1
LIBRARY OF FOLK SONGS

I am a professional singing teacher and vocal coach in San Francisco.  When you are in the San Francisco Bay Area and want to book a coaching session, you can contact me through Craig's List – http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/lss/752973810.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:
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

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

SAN FRANCISCO SILENT FILM FESTIVAL – At The Castro Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14576

A CHORUS LINE – Returns to San Francisco's Curran Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14501

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

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 at the War Memorial Opera House
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=13747

LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR – Bats it for FREE  at AT&T Ballpark
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=13640

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

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

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

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

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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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