You are here:
Acting in Plays, Singing/Voice type
Advertisement
Question
Hi Sean,
I would be interested to find out what my voice type is. I know that could prove difficult since you'd need to here me sing so as to here my tessitura, etc. but with your experience I hope you could suggest what it could be based on my full-voiced vocal range. My range begins with the F in the second octave (F2) to a semitone above the F in the 5th octave (F5). my voice leaps into head voice (from chest voice) at about E4. I seem to find baritone work too low and high tenor too high so I dont know what my voice type is..
Hello, Tandile –
Thank you for the question.
My job as a professional vocal coach is to correctly identify your vocal category and then teach you a reliable workout to strengthen, expand, and maintain the expected range. All my baritones sing to a fully balanced High A, some go higher. Most standard baritones sing to an audible Low G without a microphone. My baritones exercise to at least Low F in order to make that happen.
The voice is not divided into separate hemispheres – the chest and head. The goal of professional training is to balance the range. Ultimately, your true vocal category is proven through the repertoire written specifically for it.
It's your upper register that needs training. It may very well be that you are a lyric baritone. If so, then everything from High F# and above is on the other side of the moon from the E you are describing. My job is to get you over and beyond that hump and then apply the technique to specific repertoire.
What are you singing?
Do you have any recorded material to send me or something on-line? If so, I will be happy to listen to it and give you some feedback.
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/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
Related Articles
- The Voice As Musical Instrument - Singing, Voice Types, Vocal Register, Vocal Range
- San Francisco Performing Arts - San Francisco Opera Symphony and Ballet Performing Arts
- San Francisco 49ers 2007 Preview - The 2007 San Francisco 49ers
- San Francisco LBGT Pride - The Annual Gay Pride Parade and Celebration in San Francisco
- July Events in San Francisco - San Francisco Events in July
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
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.