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Question
Hello!
I'm sure you know as well as I the scarcity of female duets in this world. Well... there are a bunch, but a lot of them are not very good out of context. My friend and I (who are both sopranoes, which probably makes this a lot harder - but we, of course, are willing to sing lower) are trying to find a duet for a showcase. Personally, I like to sing intense, full-feeling, show-stoppers. Do you think you can help us?
Hi, Kristen –
Thank you for the question.
If what you want is a girl-duet show stopper, then step totally outside the musical theatre repertoire. Moreover, sopranos do not lower their keys to create success nor to inspire greater audience response and acceptance.
I presume you do not want to go to the Classical repertoire. But, perhaps for another occasion, you might want to consider two very-huge audience favorites. If you want to lower your range, then you (or your partner) can sing the second or mezzo line. Click on or paste the URLs below into your browser to order on-line:
PIE JESU – Duet arrangement, Andrew Lloyd Webber
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/look_inside/2929874/image/142636
SOUS LE DOME EPAIS – Duet from “Lakme”, Leo Delibes
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/look_inside/2974505/image/145204
Start by the two of you listing your favorite belter-type Pop Artists. For example, take any of the hit songs by Celine Dion and arrange it as a duet with both harmony and alternating solo lines. The harmonies can be found in the piano accompaniment. Consider examples such as:
I BELIEVE IN YOU
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/look_inside/7465325/image/275891
TAKING CHANCES
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/Taking-Chances/17617416
This way you both get to shine as Individuals and as Musicians. That’s where the magic happens. It’s almost impossible to rev-up an audience with a musical theatre duet taken out of context and dependent upon “characters” and audience familiarity.
I am a professional singing teacher and vocal coach in San Francisco. When you are in San Francisco and want to book an appointment, contact me through Craig's List. This week’s connection is:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/lss/1503385993.html
You may also contact me through my website: http://www.thebeltersmethod.com/The_Belters_Method/Welcome.html
I am also the Editor and Publisher of SanFranciscoSentinel.com. All my articles and interviews about the Performing Arts provide a link to my personal e-mail.
Download Carmen Milagro’s BlogTalkRadio and her recent interview with Seán Martinfield. It’s all about singing and the 2009/10 San Francisco Opera Season:
Women and Legends Who Really Rock, 9/11/2009
Take a look at my You Tubes:
”Embraceable You” – Gershwin and Rodin at the Legion of Honor
Lorena Feijóo - A Look at "Giselle" with Seán Martinfield
SAMSON & DELILAH – Meet Seán Martinfield
CA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES – A Preview Look with Seán Martinfield
Below are links to my recent interviews and articles about what's happening on San Francisco's cultural scene:
CAMINOS FLAMENCOS – A Conversation with Yaelisa
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=51761
A CONVERSATION WITH LUCIE ARNAZ – This Week At The Rrazz Room
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=51605
To Telarc International and Heads Up International
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=51457
SF CONCERT CHORALE – At Mission Dolores Basilica
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AT LAST! – ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY – An Interview with Seán Martinfield
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Best regards,
Séan Martinfield
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Answers by Expert:
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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