Acting in Plays, Singing/Men belting in musicals?

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Expert: - 2/1/2010


Question
I have heard that belting is mainly used by girls in musical theater but it is possible men to do it as well. However I have read on another site that the only men that would even be interested in belting are gay. Now I while I have no stigma towards anyone's sexual preference my real question is that is a "male belter" even in today's musical theater? Is belting something that I could use as a baritone towards a musical theater repertoire and if not is there another way for a male to sing powerfully without it being a technical belt?

Answer
Hello, Christopher –

Thank you for a great question.

People who employ hate speech are sadly misinformed.

If you intend to pursue a career in musical theatre, then your job is to become the very best baritone who can belt. Because? You are going to be competing against every other well-trained baritone who understands how to belt the baritone repertoire.

Listen to the Original Cast Recording of CAMELOT. Listen to Robert Goulet’s rendition of “If Ever I Would Leave You”.
Listen to the Original Cast Recording of CAROUSEL starring John Raitt. Listen to “Bill”.

Such vocal chops do not happen overnight. My job as a professional vocal coach is to maximize and expand your vocal range so that you can audition effectively and sustain 8-shows-a-week. Your job is to learn the Baritone repertoire and figure out which roles belong to you – both in professional companies right now and every opportunity that comes through schools and within community theaters. Never underestimate the physical strength required to support the baritone voice. Their roles are not always in the romantic department. Think of “Sweeney Todd”.

Get yourself into Olympic centerfold shape.

I want you to check out this series of anthologies devoted to the Baritone repertoire. The songs are published in the same key as the original score. Just paste in or click on the URL below to view or purchase on-line:

Singer's Musical Theatre Anthology -  Baritone/Bass, Volume 1
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/store/smp_detail.html?cart=91201406412&lc=recs:det...

Singer's Musical Theatre Anthology -  Baritone/Bass, Volume 2
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/store/smp_detail.html?cart=91201406412&lc=recs:det...

Singer's Musical Theatre Anthology -  Baritone/Bass, Volume 3
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/store/smp_detail.html?cart=91201406412&lc=recs:det...

Singer's Musical Theatre Anthology -  Baritone/Bass, Volume 4
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/store/smp_detail.html?cart=91201406412&lc=recs:det...

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/1582019910.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.

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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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