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Acting in Plays, Singing/Countertenors
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Question
Mr. Martinfield
I am currently a student at Los Altos High School, where I am researching countertenors for my senior project. I read your response to another teen asking about countertenors on allexperts.com, and it seems that you are an expert in the field. I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions regarding countertenors. Also, if your schedule allows, I was hoping to learn some countertenor technique to give me a firmer basing in the subject. (I have been placed as a tenor in my choir, with no experience whatsoever in the head voice or developed falsetto.) Your expertise would be much appreciated.
Thank you so much for your time,
Mark Conrad
Hello, Mark –
Thank you for your posting.
Countertenors develop their vocal strength and musical technique with the same focus and dedication as do all other Classical singers. It starts with the vocal category being correctly identified. That’s where all professional training starts. Countertenors can be separated into altos and sopranos. The vocal development, therefore, covers the required range according to the individual’s nature. Professional choral groups such as Chanticleer employ both voice-types in their performance and recorded repertoire. Their members are generally graduates from respected musical conservatories and universities. Thus, in addition to the individual’s personal passion to train as a countertenor, each is a highly trained musician.
Referencing the treble clef and singing in your “falsetto” – start on 5th-line F with a series of 3-tone scales (do-re-mi). Use the vowel sound “oo”, repeat the 3-tones consecutively on one breath. Take a breath, go up to F# and repeat the pattern, i.e., F# to A#. Keep ascending chromatically (by half-steps). See if you can reach up to at least the D above High C. Even on your first attempt, you may be able to reach the F above that. Thus, your scales would have covered the range of an octave. Along the way, you will find the vowel sound of “E” to be equally useful. Then return to 5th-line F and try repetitions of 5-tone scales.
Obviously, the advantage of working with a professional coach is learning how to adjust the placement or location of each of those tones and the vowels that are used. Taking it a step further, it’s then about applying that technique to specific literature.
Check out the recordings of countertenor David Daniels. Read my commentary on Michael Maniaci:
CRITIC’S CHOICE: CD – MICHAEL MANIACI: Mozart Arias For Male Soprano
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=54523
Michael is a total exception in that he is a legitimate “male soprano”. He sings the same repertoire as other countertenors, but the vocal mechanism is physically different.
I am a professional singing teacher and vocal coach in San Francisco. When you are in the Bay Area and want to book an appointment, contact me through Craig's List. This week’s connection is:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/lss/1557923877.html
You may also contact me through my website: http://www.thebeltersmethod.com/The_Belters_Method/Welcome.html
I am 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:
SAN FRANCISCO OPERA – Announces Repertory and Casting for 2010/11
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=57087
SF BALLET – 2010 Repertory Season Opens Saturday, January 23rd
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=56811
DAVID PERRY – On the “Dos and Don’ts of Social Media”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=56487
NATHAN GUNN – A Hit At The Herbst
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=56056
CONTEMPORARY JEWISH MUSEUM – Our Struggle: Responding to Mein Kampf
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=55889
HELGI TOMASSON’S 25th ANNIVERSARY – SF Ballet Gala, January 20th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=55822
NATHAN GUNN – In Recital At The Herbst Theatre, January 12th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=54863
100th ANNIVERSARY – A Landmark Celebration for the American Conservatory Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=55040
SF FRINGE FESTIVAL – Now Accepting Applications For 2010
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=55544
HARVEY FIERSTEIN – Is “Tevye” in Fiddler On The Roof
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=54638
CRITIC’S CHOICE: CD – MICHAEL MANIACI: Mozart Arias For Male Soprano
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=54523
NEW ORGAN SERIES – Premiers January 17th at Davies Symphony Hall
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=54383
ROBERT DOWNEY Jr. – Not Holmes For Christmas
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=53947
CRITIC’S CHOICE – CDS, Pianists: Mitsuko Uchida, Temirzhan Yerzhanov, AND Jonathan Biss
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=53812
CARTIER AND AMERICA – Exclusive Exhibit at the Legion of Honor
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=53619
DAMES AT SEA – Now At NCTC
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=53326
TOM ORR – “Jingle Bell Jock!”
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THE 39 STEPS – Hitchcock To Stage Is Too Fabulous
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ME AND ORSON WELLES
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THE NUTCRACKER – SF Ballet Is In Grand Form
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CAMINOS FLAMENCOS – A Conversation with Yaelisa
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A CONVERSATION WITH LUCIE ARNAZ – This Week At The Rrazz Room
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=51605
9 Grammy Nominations To Telarc International and Heads Up International
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SF SILENT FILM FESTIVAL – One Day Only, Saturday, December 12th
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THREE GRAMMY® AWARD NOMINATIONS – SF Symphony Is The Best
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PETER, THE WOLF, THE AX, a 5th, and HOLIDAY PIPES
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=50376
HOB NOB ON THE HILL – Annual Gala at the Fairmont Hotel
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=50108
CARTIER – Exclusive Exhibit at the Legion of Honor
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=49806
ON THE ORGAN – At the Legion of Honor
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=49615
AMISH ABSTRACTIONS – Fabulous Quilt Exhibit Now at the de Young Museum
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GAUTIER CAPUÇON, Cellist – Debut with San Francisco Symphony
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MEDIEVAL MOURNERS – Coming to SF City Hall
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VERY POST MORTEM: Mummies and Medicine
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JANE MONHEIT – This Sunday At The Empire Ballroom
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JOHAN BOTHA – South African Tenor Makes SF Opera Debut As “Otello”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=47706
MICHAEL JACKSON’S THIS IS IT – Live From The Nokia Theatre
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JAN WAHL – Action! Monday Night at New Conservatory Theatre Center
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FLEET WEEK – A Conversation with Airshow Pilot Tim Weber
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JUAN DIEG FLÓREZ – To Sing “Tonio” in San Francisco Opera’s Daughter of the Regiment
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=44753
“Pulp Scripture”, Hélène Renaut, and teenage YouTube vocalist Jesaiah Baer
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=44489
CD – THE PLANETS, A Mind-Blowing Meditation
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=44236
SF OPERA’S “Abduction From The Seraglio” – The Trills and Frills of Captivity
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=43985
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MACY’S PASSPORT 2009 – Glamour and Giving Galore in San Francisco
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IL TRITTICO – Patricia Racette Debuts In Puccini’s Trio of One-Act Operas
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IL TROVATORE – Opening Night A Stunning Success For San Francisco Opera
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AT LAST! – ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY – An Interview with Seán Martinfield
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=27122
A Conversation with Ruben Martin, Principal Dancer with SF Ballet
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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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