Acting in Plays, Singing/Training for the amateur

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Expert: - 3/27/2009


Question

Dear Mr. Martinfield,
I have always sung but unfortunately I never learned to read music, so all of my studying has been done by ear. I studied voice at college as an elective only, due to my substandard reading skills and sang mainly classical songs (Nur wer die Sehnsucht Kennt, Panis Angelicus, Voi Che Sapete) and a few other pieces such as “How Could I Ever Know”-Secret Garden and “Something Wonderful”-King and I.  I am now approaching 30 and have found since I no longer sing, I am losing a lot of my voice.  I have not grand ideas that I am going to become a famous singer, but I do miss the way my voice used to be.  I live in KY and would like to take lessons again for my own personal enjoyment and so I still have control and a range when I sing for others at charity events, etc… (Typically I sing pop when I do that). My question is would I be better studying classical again or musical theater (which I haven’t done)?  Which type of study would translate best for my musical goals?
Thank you for your time,
Mandy


Answer
Hi, Mandy –

Thank you for the question.

Contemporary pop songs have virtually nothing to do with either Classical or Musical Theatre training.

Your job as a musician is to become a better-informed musician.  There is no excuse for not being able to read at least the melody line of whatever you want to sing.  A basic workbook in Music Theory (see the one by John Brimhall) will teach you everything you need to know about understanding and interpreting a piece of sheet music – especially if the song is NEW, never recorded, and the composer wants you to record a demo that day.

Pop music is about the Individual.  Your job is to sell YOU.  And with the vast majority of pop music – it's all about Image and sexual appeal.  Until you or someone else is writing material for you, then you will be doing "covers" – right?  What you need to pay attention to in this period of transition is not going to happen by hunting down some teacher in Kentucky who claims to teach opera and/or musical comedy.

Piece together at least two one-hour sets.  What are you going to sing?  Who is going to play for you?  Work on material performed by women who most appeal to you, have your vocal range, and reflect your personality and sense of Self.  My job as a professional vocal coach is to show you how to strengthen and maintain your vocal chops so that you can present your material day after day, and year after year.

Donate your old repertoire to the local library.

I am a professional singing teacher and vocal coach in San Francisco.  When you want to book an appointment, contact me through Craig's List – http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/lss/1096171760.html
I am also the fine arts critc for SanFranciscoSentinel.com.  All my articles and interviews provide a link to my personal e-mail.

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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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