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Acting in Plays, Singing/Vocal Range
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Question
Hi! I want to know my real voice range because at times I can sing some high
and sometimes it gets too strained to sing high. I can sort of belt but my
voice is not fully developed so I'm not so sure. I can sing some songs like "The
Wizard and I" but it gets strained and tired during the higher parts. I can sing
Taylor Swift songs well. So maybe that will give you an idea on what my voice
range is. Thank You!
Hi, Marie –
Thank you for the question.
Singing "High" is all in relationship to your vocal category and, in particular, to the genre of music you want to sing. Anybody can sing Taylor Swift's material and I am so over the nasal-twanged noise of WICKED. Some audition notices specifically state, "nothing from Wicked".
It's possible you may be in the mezzo-soprano range. The range for a standard mezzo-soprano is a 2-octave stretch between Low A and High A. Some go lower and higher. My job as a professional vocal coach is to determine your true vocal category. You have to sing for me.
Do you have any samples available that you can link me to? If so, I would be happy to listen to them and offer you some feedback.
I am a vocal coach to working singers in the San Francisco Bay Area. I am also the Editor and Publisher of SanFranciscoSentinel.com. All my articles and interviews provide a link to my personal e-mail.
Below are links to my articles and youtubes on San Francisco's entertainment and cultural scene:
PHILHARMONIA BAROQUE ORCHESTRA – 30th Anniversary Gala, 9/24
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=88961
TENOR RAMÓN VARGAS – A Worthy “Werther” At San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=88856
AÏDA – Spectacular Opening Night At San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=88247
JERRY SPRINGER THE OPERA – Now At The Victoria Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=88014
OPENING NIGHT AT SF SYMPHONY – A Mixed Bag
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=87772
ARTIST BOB ZOELL – San Francisco Arts Commission Installs New Works at SF International Airport
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=87467
GOOD GRIEF! Confessions of a “Peanuts” Junkie – Opens 9/11 at SF Fringe Festival
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=87438
LE NOZZE DI FIGARO – Opens 9/21 at San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=87283
THE EXORCIST – One Night Only – The Extended Director’s Cut, 9/30
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=87150
WERTHER – French Classic At San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=86829
SF FRINGE FESTIVAL – Preview Coming Attractions
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=86425
DREAMGIRLS – High Gloss and Not Much Soul
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=86316
CUBAN BALLET – An Interview with Octavio Roca
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=86049
A Look At "Giselle" with Ballerina Lorena Feijóo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33-a6Oa-0j4
CD – THE LAGQ: INTERCHANGE, Concertos by Rodrigo and Assad
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=85498
DOLORA ZAJICK – Internationally Acclaimed Mezzo To Receive Merola Distinguished Alumni Award
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=85363
OPERA – Opening Night, September 10th, Verdi's AÏDA
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=85323
BLACK SABBATH – The Secret Musical History of Black-Jewish Relations
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=85115
DON’T ASK and DIVALICIOUS — Now at the New Conservatory Theatre Center
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=84593
LA CAGE AUX FOLLES – 45th Anniversary Celebration at Broadway By The Bay
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=84971
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST – At San Francisco's Golden Gate Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=84933
HAIL CAESAR! – Gymnast Dreya Weber is “Cleopatra” at Teatro ZinZanni
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=84775
CD: SONIDOS LATINOS – Guitarist, David Russell
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=84374
EAT PRAY LOVE – Julia Roberts Is Gorgeous
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=84196
JAMES LEVINE – Celebrating 40 Years at the Metropoitan Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=84017
BILL IRWIN – Opens A.C.T.’s 2010/11 Season as Molière’s “Scapin”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=83672
SAN FRANCISCO OPERA – Broadcasts Return to KQED
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=83505
CD: GREAT STRAUSS SCENES – Christine Brewer, Soprano
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=83425
19th ANNUAL SAN FRANCISCO FRINGE FESTIVAL – Begins September 8th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=83168
“L’ELISIR D’AMORE” – Members of the Merola Opera Program, this week at Fort Mason
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=82920
ANGELA CADELAGO – Debuts With Festival Opera as “Lucia di Lammermoor”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=82899
DIVALICIOUS – Leanne Borghesi Raises The Roof At New Conservatory Theatre Center
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=82831
OPENING NIGHT – SF SYMPHONY, Tuesday, September 7th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=82620
MATTHEW SHILVOCK – Appointed Associate General Director of San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=81723
AÏDA – Verdi’s Masterpiece To Open SF Opera, September 10th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=81526
NORMA TALMADGE & GILBERT ROLAND – “A Woman Disputed” At The Castro Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=81297
“PSYCHO” – SF Symphony Accompanies Screening of Hitchcock’s Classic, Saturday Night, 7/17
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=81083
THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE – A Sweeping Bore
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=80896
JULIAN COX – Appointed Chief Curator of the de Young Museum and Founding Curator of Photography
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=80803
BACH & FRIENDS – West Coast Premiere At The Kabuki, 7/14
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=80577
IMPRESSIONISM AT TWILIGHT – Impressive Dining At the DeYoung
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=80296
STONEWALL UPRISING – New Documentary Captures Pivotal Moment in the Gay Rights Movement
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=80102
CD: EAKEN TRIO + 1, Quartets by Schumann and Brahms
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=79978
SILENT FILM FESTIVAL – Opens Thursday, July 15th, At the Castro Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=79834
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN – "Puttin' On The Ritz" At the Golden Gate Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=79580
DIE WALKÜRE and LA FANCIULLA DEL WEST – Final Performances Tonight and Friday
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=79383
SF PRIDE, 2010 – Videos of Ambassador James Hormel, Retired Navy Captain Joan E. Darrah, and Dykes On Bikes
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=79239
FROM BEGINNING TO END – At the Castro Theatre, FRAMELINE34
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=78854
THE STRANGER IN US – At the Castro Theatre, FRAMELINE34
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=78809
THE ABSINTHE DRINKERS – New Home for French Masterwork
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=78538
MARIA KALMAN – Coming to the Contemporary Jewish Museum, July 1st
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=78261
DEBORAH VOIGT – A Captivating "Fanciulla del West"
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=77858
CALDER TO WARHOL – Opens June 25th at San Francisco’s Museum of Modern Art
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=77604
IMPRESSIONIST PARIS: CITY OF LIGHT – At the Legion of Honor
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=77477
WAGNER'S "DIE WALKÜRE" – Flying In At San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=77218
FAUST – At SF Opera through July 1st
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=77051
SABINA ALLEMANN – Former SF Ballet Ballerina Returns In A.C.T.'s "The Tosca Project"
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=76516
CD/DVD Release: CAMERON LIVE! – Organist Cameron Carpenter
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THE RUFFATTI ORGAN & CAMERON CARPENTER at DAVIES HALL
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JEANETTE MacDONALD – Hollywood Diva Remembered at the War Memorial Opera House
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=75637
BIRTH OF IMPRESSIONISM – Now at the de Young Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=74024
BLACK & WHITE BALL – Entertainment Announced for Saturday, May 22nd
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=73470
LA FANCIULLA DEL WEST – Opens June 9th at San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=73126
IN THE HEIGHTS – Hits the heights in San Francisco
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=72988
ZHANG HUAN’S "THREE HEADS SIX ARMS" – Dedication, May 12th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=72121
ROMEO AND JULIET – Poetic Finale at SF Ballet
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=71635
TEATRO ZINZANNI – A Tenth Anniversary Gala Celebration
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=71054
AUDRA McDONALD – Returns to Davies Hall, Monday 4/26
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=70504
AMANDA McBROOM – A rose for new CD, "CHANSON"
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=68879
CAMERON CARPENTER – Stellar Organist Returns to San Francisco May 2nd
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=68311
HANDEL'S "ORLANDO" – TONIGHT AT THE HERBST. An Interview with Conductor Nicholas McGagen
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=67774
MASTERPIECES FROM THE MUSÉE D'ORSAY – Coming to the de Young Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=67511
WAKING SLEEPING BEAUTY – An Interview with Director Don Hahn and Producer Peter Schneider
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=66140
THE LITTLE MERMAID – “This Girl’s Got Everything!”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=65498
CAMERON CARPENTER – At Davies Symphony Hall, May 2nd
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=64126
PEARLS OVER SHANGHAI – An Interview with Russell Blackwood
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=63625
ALICE IN WONDERLAND – A Lot of Tempest in a Pot of Tea
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=62921
PIANIST MISHA DICHTER – A Conversation
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=59695
ZUILL BAILEY – A Conversation
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=58241
DAVID PERRY – On the “Dos and Don’ts of Social Media”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=56487
NATHAN GUNN – Sings Schubert's Die Schöne Müllerin
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=56056
CRITIC’S CHOICE: CD – MICHAEL MANIACI: Mozart Arias For Male Soprano
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=54523
CAMINOS FLAMENCOS – A Conversation with Yaelisa
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=51761
A CONVERSATION WITH LUCIE ARNAZ – This Week At The Rrazz Room
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=51605
JANE MONHEIT – This Sunday At The Empire Ballroom
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=48083
FLEETWEEK – Weekend Bash at Pier 39
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=45837
FLEET WEEK – A Conversation with Airshow Pilot Tim Weber
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=45460
CD – ZUILL BAILEY and SIMONE DINNERSTEIN, Beethoven’sComplete Works for Piano and Cello
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=39415
NORMA SHEARER – Hollywood Dreams Made Real
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=38082
THE EGYPTIAN (1954) – A Swords & Sandals Cultural Encounter at the de Young Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=37554
DIANE BAKER – Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=32007
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
A Conversation with Ruben Martin Cintas, Principal Dancer with SF Ballet
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=22107
Best regards,
Seán Martinfield
SanFranciscoSentinel.com
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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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