Expert: Sean Martinfield - 3/20/2011

Question
Hello! First of all, i am unsure if this is an appropriate question to be asking but i could not find another category that would be suitable for this question but, anyway! i am 14 years old and my 8th grade language arts teacher has given us an assignment to sing a song in front of the class and then explain the lyrics. i am very comfortable acting in front of people for i have been involved in theater since 3rd grade but i am unsure about singing. if the song is in my range i think i will be fine but.....i am not sure what song to sing. i think i am an alto, i can sing pretty low and i can sing comfortably up to a high E(an octave above middle C). i don't think a song from now would be good because they don't have much meaning and i do enjoy older music such as the Beatles. what do you recommend? it should probably be something that doesn't really EXPLAIN itself if you know what i mean. thank you this would be very helpful.

Answer
Hi, Alison –

Thank you for an interesting question.

From your description, it sounds as though you can sing anything you want. And because it's not a Musical Theatre class, then the assignment is not about a singing contest. Right? It's about getting the point across. Thus, it helps to sing something you already know and love.

Right now – name three of your favorite songs that you hum, whistle or sing "all the time". It's not about winning approval. That's not the assignment and no one is going onto a semi-final based on popular vote.

Sing what you know!

Now you have to explain what it means – what it's about. If this were a creative writing assignment – and no actual performance is involved – then you have to explain the composer's intentions. That's different from telling me the "plot". For example, consider the song, "Singin' In The Rain", from the movie of the same. The key to "explaining the lyrics" is found in the line – "The sun's in my eye and I'm ready for love." The composer's intention is to create a tune that sounds like the sunniest of days as the character is being drenched in a sudden downpour. At the moment, the "character" thinks he or she is in love – maybe for the first time! – and is ready to take that chance and jump in with both feet. Literally and figuratively, according to the way the song occurs in the movie. Gene Kelly is stomping around in the rain puddles because he's so way-out-ecstatic about being in love – or at least the idea of being in love. Has this same scene ever happened to you? Probably not. It's like being the movie host on the TCM channel. You would tell your audience what to watch for and to listen for when that scene comes up.

The same exploration process can be applied to whatever Beatles tune appeals to you the most. Along the way, whatever you choose, practice your song and speech in front of a mirror. Are you getting the point across?

I am a vocal coach to working singers in the San Francisco Bay Area. I'm 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:

"Would You Like A Souvenir?" – Sean Martinfield and Janet Roitz explore a song from Film Noir classic NORA PRENTISS (1947)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOiqTp0tjvg

"My Silver Dollar Man" – from MARKED WOMAN (starring Bette Davis, 1937)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJMuY8aKFV8

HUGH JACKMAN – Exclusive Engagement at the Curran Theatre, May 3–15
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=115236

BALENCIAGA AND SPAIN – At the de Young, 3/26–7/4
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=114917

AUDITIONS – SF OPERA Needs In-Shape Men and 40 Kids For WAGNER’S RING
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=114691

COPPÉLIA – A Gorgeous New Production at San Francisco Ballet
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=114535

DIALOGUES OF THE CARMELITES – At Fort Mason, 3/31—4/3
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=114258

NEW ON CD – Icicle Creek Piano Trio: Haydn, Turina, Shostakovich
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=114131

NATALIE DESSAY – Is “Lucia di Lammermoor” in HD at Sundance Kabuki Cinema
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=114075

NEW CENTURY CHAMBER ORCHESTRA – Presents “Mastery of Schubert”, Featuring Soprano Melody Moore, 3/24–27
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=113791

SF CONCERT CHORALE – Presents Herbert Howells’ Requiem and Arthur Honegger’s King David
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=113695

“COPPÉLIA” – A SF Ballet Premiere, Cast Announced for Opening Night, 3/19
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=113530

"THE HOMECOMING" – A Home Run at A.C.T.
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=113481

BACH B-MINOR MASS – This week at San Francisco Symphony
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=113394

ARE WE THERE YET? — At the Contemporary Jewish Museum, March 31st – July 31st
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=113077

"PEARLS OVER SHANGHAI" – Final Performance, April 9th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=112894

KILLER QUEEN – The Story of "Paco the Pink Pounder"
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=112730

“CALIENTE” – Opens Tonight, 3/10, at Teatro ZinZanni
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=112653

RAGAZZI BOYS CHORUS – Celebrates the Extended American Family, "Made In America"
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=112644

KURT MASUR – Conducts the SF Symphony in All–Mendelssohn Concert, 3/10–12
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=112263

FLORAL DESIGNER NATASHA LISITSA – Creating the Fantastical in the Wilsey Court for “Bouquets To Art 2011″
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=111892

EDITOR'S CHOICE — HÉLÈNE RENAUT, Vinyl Release Celebration at Cafe du Nord, 3/7
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=111697

ZHENG CAO – A Conversation with A Miracle Artist
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=111219

MELODY MOORE – Soprano shines in SF Ballet’s “Nanna’s Lied”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=110816

MARNIE BRECKENRIDGE – An Interview with “La Princesse” of Philip Glass’ Orphée
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=109326

SF BALLET –Program 4, All Tchaikovsky
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=110251

ODC THEATER – Presents Sarah Michelson and Richard Maxwell's "Devotion"
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=109708

AVENUE Q – A Totally Fabulous Place To Be
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=108981

ZUBIN MEHTA & THE ISRAEL PHILHARMONIC – At Davies Symphony Hall
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=108853

ROTHKO CHAPEL and MOZART’S REQUIEM – SF Symphony and Chorus, 2/23—2/26
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=108820

ORPHÉE – Ensemble Parallèle Presents SF Premiere of Opera by Philip Glass
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=108569

SCHWABACHER DEBUT RECITALS – Begins February 20th at Temple Emanu-El
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=108484

CATS — Returns to San Francisco, May 5th – 15th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=108256

CONSTANTINE MAROULIS – Comes to the Curran Theatre in “Rock of Ages”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=108426

THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT – Best Picture Nominee Cast Donates To On-line Charity Auction
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=108226

DMITRI HVOROSTOVSKY – This Sunday at Davies Symphony Hall
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=108093

MARC HUESTIS PRESENTS – Lesley Ann Warren, Valentine's Day At The Castro Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=107913

EDITORIAL – A confession about ballerina Lorena Feijóo
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=107690

PULP FASHION: The Art of Isabelle de Borchgrave at the Legion of Honor
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=107453

YURI POSSOKHOV'S RAkU — Stunning World Premiere At San Francisco Ballet
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=107256

PROGRAM 2 – Opens Tonight At San Francisco Ballet
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=106942

CLYBOURNE PARK – A Bright Debut for Director Jonathan Moscone at A.C.T.
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=106753

THE RITE – Right into the trash
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=106465

NOIR CITY 9 — Festival closes today at the Castro Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=106265

GISELLE – And the Legend of the Wilis
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=105461

COMPANY C CONTEMPORARY BALLET – Opens 9th Season
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=104823

GISELLE – Opens SF Ballet's 78th Season, 1/29/11
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=99745

“NUREMBURG: It’s Lesson For Today” – Rare Documentary Restored
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=104677

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA – Opens September 9th with with Iréne Theorin as “Turandot”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=104443

PEARLS OVER SHANGHAI – Thrillpeddlers Extends Hit Show Through April 9th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=104310

BUDRUS – A Documentary on uniting Palestinians and Israelis
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=104134

NADJA SALERNO-SONNENBERG – and New Century Chamber Orchestra Announce February 2011 Tour
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=103892

LORRAINE HUNT LIEBERSON – Featured Artist On Philharmonia Baroque's New Recording Label
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=103202

CAMERON CARPENTER – Organist signs with CAMI Music and Konzertdirektion Schmid
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=102415

THE ELIXIR OF LOVE FOR FAMILIES (The Movie) – Free Screenings At The Herbst
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=103120

BEETHOVEN – A Two-Week Gig At San Francisco Symphony
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=102789

ASIAN ART MUSEUM – Proposed financial agreement provides long term stable financing
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=102738

2ND ANNUAL GERMAN GEMS – Comes to the Castro Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=102599

PIANIST HÉLÈNE GRIMAUD – This Week with the SF Symphony
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=102180

FILM NOIR FESTIVAL – At the Castro Theatre, 1/21–30
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=101857

THE PALACE OF FINE ARTS – Opening Celebration, January 14th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=101597

A Conversation with Elza van den Heever
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=99268

HEART OF A SOLDIER – SF Opera Commissions New Work
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=98518

ARTHUR SZYK: Miniature Paintings and Modern Illuminations
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=97709

SF SYMPHONY – Announces 2011/12 Centennial Celebration
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=97495

I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS – What were they smoking?
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=97281

SHREK THE MUSICAL – Ogres and Freaks and Spells, “Oh, my!”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=96975

THE BLACK SWAN – Don’t Save The Drippings
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=96580

CD: MAHLER’S “Songs With Orchestra” – SF Symphony Completes Mahler Recording Project
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=95840

YIGIT PURA – Local Pastry Chef Wins Bravo’s “Top Chef Just Desserts”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=95774

GENIUS WITHIN: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=95683

KARITA MATTILA – “Viva To The Diva!”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=95163

CLUB FOOT ORCHESTRA – A Conversation with Richard Marriot
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=94863

ELZA VAN DEN HEEVER – Performs Strauss’ Four Last Songs with SF Symphony
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=94646

TIMOTHY SEELIG – Takes His Baton To SF Gay Men’s Chorus
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=94577

RECLAIMED: Paintings From The Collection of Jacques Goudstikker
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=94007

WEST SIDE STORY – Most of it, anyway
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=93786

PLÁCIDO DOMINGO – An Interview with the Tenor turned Baritone for “Cyrano”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=93275

SCHEHERAZADE – A Spectacular Opening Night for Alonzo King Lines Ballet
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=92361

RUFUS WAINWRIGHT – World Premiere of Five Shakespeare Sonnets, November 11–13
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=91632

Dr. ELISA STEPHENS – My Visit with the President
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=90791

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

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

DOLORA ZAJICK – Internationally Acclaimed Mezzo To Receive Merola Distinguished Alumni Award
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=85363

BACH & FRIENDS – West Coast Premiere At The Kabuki, 7/14
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=80577

FROM BEGINNING TO END – At the Castro Theatre, FRAMELINE34
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=78854

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
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=76093

THE RUFFATTI ORGAN & CAMERON CARPENTER at DAVIES HALL
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=76169

JEANETTE MacDONALD – Hollywood Diva Remembered at the War Memorial Opera House
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=75637

AMANDA McBROOM – A rose for new CD, "CHANSON"
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=68879

CAMERON CARPENTER – Stellar Organist Returns to San Francisco
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=68311

HANDEL'S "ORLANDO" – An Interview with Conductor Nicholas McGagen
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=67774

CAMERON CARPENTER – At Davies Symphony Hall
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=64126

PEARLS OVER SHANGHAI – An Interview with Russell Blackwood
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=63625

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

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

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
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?cat=65