You are here:

Acting in Plays, Singing/Improving bass singing and general range issue.

Advertisement

Expert: - 3/3/2009


Question
Hello. I'm Patrik from Sweden. I'm 24 years old and started singing 2 years ago. I'm not sure what kind of voice I have;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6zpr_xkQ7w

My lowest note is a G (above the C which every bass is supposed to be able to sing). I can go down to an F but lose much power. I can get down to a D using a more raspy and growly sound but it makes my throat dry and itchy.

My highest note note with "chest screamy sound" is a B (or whatever the last note in the youtube clip is) below Tenor C but it only works on "oh" or "ey" vowels. Singing an "ee" or "oo" with a full chesty sound makes my voice wobble and crack at an E-F above middle C regardless of diaphragm support or cord closure.

I have a very limited range because I have to sing in falsetto to reach medium/high notes on most vowels other then "oh" or "ey".

Apart from this and not knowing what voice type I am.. How can I improve my low notes and learn to go lower and still have volume in them? I've heard one can do exercises that allows for higher notes but never to go deeper. I want to widen my range without having to resort to vocal fry.

Thanks in advance

Sincerely yours

Patrik

Answer
Hey, Patrik –

Thank you for the question.  I appreciate you sending me a link to your YouTube.

At 24, you have a very pleasant light rock tenor sound.  I hear the transition and quality you are referring to with your High A at the end of the song.  You want to achieve a beefier quality in your upper register – correct?

Speaking in treble clef, all my tenors sing to a fully voiced High C, most go higher.  When miked, most tenors can sing to Middle C two octaves below and still effect a vitality in the song.  Below that, nobody cares and the sound and story gets dull.

My job as a professional vocal coach is to teach you a workout that will strengthen, expand, and maintain your range.  It's all about running perfectly balanced scales from your lowest note to your highest note.  I teach all my tenors to sing balanced scales, i.e., without any shifts or breaks, from Low A to High D.  That translates to two octaves plus a major 4th.

No matter what variety of music you sing, you need to know that your voice is available – clear and strong – every day of the week, no matter the time, your mood, or performing circumstance.  That means doing a warm-up FIRST – with those well-learned scales I will teach you.  Don't conflate rehearsal with warming-up.  If you learn new material or rehearse previous material on a cold voice, you invite all kinds of vocal stress and possible damage.

I am a professional singing teacher and vocal coach in San Francisco.  One of these days your music brings you to our City, I hope you will let me work with you.  When you want to book an appointment, contact me through Craig's List – http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/lss/1056375240.html
I am also the fine arts critc for SanFranciscoSentinel.com.  All my articles and interviews provide a link to my personal e-mail.

Take a look at my You Tubes:

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 recent articles and reviews:
SAN FRANCISCO GIRLS CHORUS – At The Herbst Theatre, Friday Night
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=19959

SWAN LAKE – San Francisco Ballet’s New Vision, Gone Fishin’
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=19868

THE DRAGON’S GIFT – The Sacred Arts of Bhutan
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=19801

FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS – Remembered in Souvenir at A.C.T.
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=19716

CHI McCLEAN – CD Release at the Cafe du Nord, March 4th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=19736

BURN THE FLOOR – Hot Latin and Ballroom Dancing Now at Post Street Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=19658

SWAN LAKE – A WORLD PREMIERE AT SAN FRANCISCO BALLET
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=19584

ARTISTIC LUXURY – Fabergé, Tiffany, and Lalique
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=19503

STAGE BRIEFS – WICKED, SF FOLLIES, TENNESSEE IN THE SUMMER
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=19386

TELARC AND HEADS UP WIN 3 GRAMMY® AWARDS
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=19352

WICKED – Now at San Francisco’s Orpheum Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=19280

SAN FRANCISCO SILENT FILM FESTIVAL – Presents A Valentine’s All-Day Event
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=19208

SF FOLLIES THE PERFECT ROAST OF SAN FRANCISCO PERSONALITIES, SAN FRANCISCO’S PAST AND PRESENT
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=19152

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA – 87th Season Opens Friday, September 11th with Verdi’s IL TROVATORE
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=19133

SAN FRANCISCO BALLET OPENS TONIGHT – Casting Announced For Programs 1
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=19079

ENTERTAINMENT BRIEFS – DMITRI HVOROSTOVSKY, FALSETTOS, and ZANNA, DON’T!
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=19068

THE DEAD SYMPHONY – West Coast premiere of symphonic tribute to the Grateful Dead
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=19022

ZUILL BAILEY – Dynamic Cellist Makes Telarc Debut
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=18898

TCHAIKOVSKY’S SYMPHONY NO. 5 – This week at Davies Symphony Hall and Flint Center
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=18757

SAN FRANCISCO BALLET – Opening Night Gala, Wednesday, January 21st
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=18716

A.C.T. PRESENTS – RICH AND FAMOUS
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=18725

CD – THE FOUR SEASONS – Telarc Introduces Violinist Christina Day Martinson
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=18684

FALSETTOS – Begins Thursday January 8th At Theatre Rhinoceros
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=18550

SF BOYS CHORUS AT INAUGURATION – An Interview with Ian Robertson
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=18330

NEW YEAR’S EVE – MARIN MAZZIE & JASON DANIELEY At the SF Symphony Concert
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=18338

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY – The Results of Fiscal Year 2008
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=18276

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA – The Audited Financial Results, 2007–08
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=18211

DAVID CONTE’S GIFT OF THE MAGI – Receives West Coast Premiere
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=18047

BRIAN PATTERSON – Local Hunk In Bay Area Premiere of ZANNA, DON’T
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17927

MICHAEL BISHOP, Sound Engineer – Grammy Nomination for LA BOHÈME
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17846

CD – LA BOHÈME, Grammy Nomination for Sound Engineer Michael Bishop
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17846

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA – What Becomes A Legend Most
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17798

AUSTRALIA – For Baz Luhrmann, There’s No Place Like Home
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17716

MILK – A Magnificent Film
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17658

LA BOHÈME – Now at SAN FRANCISCO OPERA through December 7th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17542

TONY CURTIS – LIVE! At The Castro Theatre, Tuesday Night
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17474

CHRISTINE ANDREAS – A Conversation with Beautiful Broadway and Cabaret Star
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17442

CD Review – REVOLUTIONARY, Cameron Carpenter, Organist
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17408

AFGHANISTAN – HIDDEN TREASURES FROM THE NATIONAL MUSEUM, KABUL, Now at the Asian Art Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17320

THE ELIXIR OF LOVE – It’s Happy Hour At San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17279

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA – Lon Chaney Silences SF Symphony For Halloween Night, Friday at 8:00
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17181

CARNEGIE HALL OPENING NIGHT – Tonight on PBS’ GREAT PERFORMANCES
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17164

SAMUEL RAMEY IS BORIS GODUNOV
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17140

CD – BRAHMS: Ein Deutsches Requiem
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17012

IDOMENEO – Star Treatment For Mozart Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?cat=65

CD – DAS LIED VON DER ERDE: Superb Live Recording by Stuart Skelton and Thomas Hampson
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16897

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW – Ray of Light Theatre Begins New Season October 17th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16805

DIE TOTE STADT - A BAD HAIR DAY IN THE DEAD CITY
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16512

BONESETTER’S DAUGHTER – New Opera Stands Alone
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16321

THE WOMEN – NOT WHO YOU ARE EXPECTING
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16231

SIMON BOCCANEGRA – WASHES ASHORE FOR OPENING NIGHT AT SAN FRANCISCO OPERA
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16116

TOM ORR – A Conversation with Seán Martinfield
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=15981

BERNADETTE PETERS – A Triumph In San Francisco
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=15150

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE – Detours Ahead
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=15107

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

NORMA SHEARER in “MARIE ANTOINETTE” – At the Legion of Honor
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=8783

Best regards,
Seán Martinfield

Acting in Plays, Singing

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.