You are here:
Acting in Plays, Singing/genres
Advertisement
Question
I'm really into singing, and really into rocknroll. i love singing heart, pat benatar, styx, guns n roses, and even paramore. I really enjoy singing rock music. But recently ive started working with broadway songs...and now i'm confused. After singing some really good broadway songs I realized that I am way better at them. No matter how much more I like rock, and how much i wish i had the right type of loud, outrageous voice for it, I have more of a soft, clear voice that sounds way better with broadway songs. I've only been singing for about a year or two though, so I still have plenty of room to improve. What should I do? We all know its really hard to make it out there, and you have to be REALLY good to get anywhere. Should I switch to musical songs because I'm better at it? or should i stick with what i love best even though I know it's not my best?
thank you so much for your answer i'm sorry this is a random weird question haha
Hi, Mando –
Thank you for the question. It is not weird at all.
As a professional singer I know that what will motivate you to practice is the repertoire you love. Not everyone is a grinding, angst-ridden Rock singer. Not everyone who sings a few Broadway songs really well is likewise a trained dancer who can get past the first round with the Choreographer. However, if you are a nightclub / cabaret artist – then you can sing anything you want, any way you want. All you have to do is convince the Management that you and your group can fill the house and that your audience will purchase more than the two-drink minimum. Simple.
No matter what you sing, you must develop your range according to your vocal category, i.e., tenor, baritone, bass, etc. Part of my job as a professional vocal coach is to determine that category and then train you accordingly. The Broadway repertoire includes many shows that are rock and pop-rock oriented, i.e., RENT, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, AIDA, SPRING AWAKENING, etc. At any of these auditions not only do you have to prove yourself as a Pop Artist, you must read through the scenes and demonstrate your acting chops.
It’s a lot of work and a lot of training. I’m used to it. It can really cut into a guy’s social life.
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/1195967368.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.
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 my recent interviews and articles about what's happening on San Francisco's cultural scene:
AMANDA KING – AT THE RRAZZ ROOM, THIS SATURDAY NIGHT
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=30037
RENT: THE BROADWAY TOUR – Returns To The Curran Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=29872
WESLA WHITFIELD – At The Rrazz Room
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=29588
SPAMALOT – THE “MONTY PYTHON” MUSICAL THAT GOES LIKE THIS
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=29401
UP – IS UP UP UP AND AWAY!
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=29132
VERDI REQUIEM – HEIDI MELTON REPLACES PATRICIA RACETTE, TONIGHT AT SF OPERA
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=29101
EXIT Theatre Expanding – Additional 1,700 sq. ft. to Eddy Street Theatreplex
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=28656
CHERYL BURKE DANCE – Presents “Dancing With The Drag Queen Stars”, June 6th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=28316
CAMERON CARPENTER – An Interview with Seán Martinfield
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=24462
AT LAST! – ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY – An Interview with Seán Martinfield
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=27122
ONE NIGHT ONLY CABARET – A Cabaret Night with the Cast Members of WICKED and SPAMALOT
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=28471
ANGELS AND DEMONS – A LIGHTWEIGHT CONTENDER
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=27338
IOLANTHE – SF Symphony Presents Gilbert & Sullivan Operetta, June 18th – 21st
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=28176
MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMLOT – OPENS AT THE GOLDEN GATE THEATRE MAY 22ND
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=25339
DANCING WITH THE DRAG QUEEN STARS – June 6th At CHERYL BURKE DANCE
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=26357
YUJA WANG – BRILLIANT YOUNG PIANIST JOINS SF SYMPHONY, MAY 20TH–23RD
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=26536
DONALD RUNNICLES and CHRISTINE BREWER – CD, "Symphony of Sorrowful Songs
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=26114
INTERHARMONY INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL – June 30th to July 12th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=26256
5X5 PLURALISM – At The Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=25902
SAN FRANCISCO OPERA – Summer Season Opens June 2nd
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=25616
TOSCA – SF Giants and SF Opera Present OPERA AT THE BALLPARK
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=25565
2830 PACIFIC STREET – Site of 2009 San Francisco Decorator Showcase
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=25454
CHAGALL AND THE ARTISTS OF THE RUSSIAN JEWISH THEATER, 1919-1949 – Now AT San Francisco’s Contemporary Jewish Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=22321
JEWELS AND RUSSIAN SEASONS – Exquisite Endings to SF Ballet season
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=25202
CELEBRATE THE 1906 EARTHQUAKE – “SAN FRANCISCO” – AT THE CASTRO THEATRE
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=23289
PAUL JACOBS, ORGANIST – At Davies Symphony Hall
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=23207
SF LYRIC OPERA PRESENTS – RIGOLETTO
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=23090
Best regards,
Seán Martinfield
Related Articles
- Irving Berlin’s White Christmas – The Broadway musical White Christmas
- San Francisco Blogs - Blogs about San Francisco
- San Francisco Comedy Clubs - Guide to San Francisco Comedy Clubs and Improvisational Comedy
- Best San Francisco Blogs - Best Blogging About San Francisco
- San Francisco Museums Exhibits in April - April Museums and Exhibitions in San Francisco
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.