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Acting in Plays, Singing/Prog Rock Vocals
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Question
Hello,
I like to think of myself as a decent amateur musician. I have played both classical and rock guitar and bass professionally as well as performed in various choirs (once in Carnegie Hall) and several musical plays such as the Nightingale and South Pacific.
Nonetheless I am completely HORRIBLE at trying to sing rock music. I sound like a 13 year old screaming in the shower. I am looking for good music to practice singing with. I am a big fan of progressive rock/metal acts such as Queensryche and Dream Theater, especially the ballads. I quickly found out that Geoff Tate and James Labrie, from the aforementioned bands respectively, each have incredible ranges and somewhat operatic or theatrical styles. But they both sing higher notes than I am comfortable with.
I have always sang baritone or tenor with a comfortable range from the bottom of the base clef to maybe 3 or 4 steps above it. Can you recommend singers of a similar style that may be a better fit for me? I found that Roger Waters of Pink Floyd can be a bit easier to sing than the other guys I mentioned. What about Freddie Mercury of Queen? I'm not trying to "copy" these singers, but simply to sing along with their music to develop my own voice. Do you have any suggestions?
Jason
Hey, Jason –
Thank you for submitting your question. My expertise is about getting your voice in shape.
My job as a professional vocal coach is to identify your true vocal category. No one is both a tenor and a baritone. Though they share notes in common, what separates the tenor from the baritone is his upper register.
I understand what you mean by sounding like a 13-year-old. Singing along with what might be challenging material for you now as a means of putting on muscle and texture in your vocals for sometime down the road – is not the most reliable of measures.
My job is to teach you how to work out your voice so you can sing whatever you want, including the material of those you admire. Your job is to sing in the keys that work best for your voice and, thus, hold the interest of a potential prodcer. The discussion must always be about the public performance of your material and finding other musicians who are willing to rehearse with you. That translates to you grinding out your voice for hours at a time. And then rehearsing it all again tomorrow or the day after that. What if someone offers you an original song?
You have to be in reliable vocal shape to work like that. From what you say – that's not where you're at.
When you come to your appointment, be prepared to sing whatever you want to sing – without accompaniment and without singing along to a recording. I’ll show you how to gain and maintain better control of your vocals.
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/1628963062.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.
Take a look at my You Tubes:
Lorena Feijóo - A Look at "Giselle" with Seán Martinfield
”As Time Goes By” – aboard Cunard’s Queen Victoria
”Embraceable You” – Gershwin and Rodin at the Legion of Honor
SAMSON & DELILAH – Meet Seán Martinfield
Below are links to my recent interviews and articles about what's happening on San Francisco's cultural scene:
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http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=64034
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Best regards,
Seán 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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