Expert: Sean Martinfield - 3/20/2011

Question
Hi Sean.
I need your help identifying my voice. I already know I'm not a tenor so I need to know whether I'm a baritone or bass and hopefully what type of baritone or bass (lyric, dramatic...).
I'm 19 and I have a pretty deepish talking voice - probably deepest out of my friends. When I sing I don't really know what I do but it feels like my voice becomes smooth and my voice sounds higher.

My range is hard to declare really but my lower limit is about F#2/G2/Ab2. I'd probably forget F#2 because I've only hit it once and well it hurt. G2 is a consistent low limit for me I'd say (although it isn't easy).
On the high end my limit for power is about F4 maybe F#4 (using only chest voice maybe? Shouty) but if I blend my voice and keep an even amount of power through out my range I can keep going up to about E5, however Eb4/E4/F4 is where my voice begins completely resonating in my head at this intensity and notes after A4 are like singing in falsetto in tone quality (but not technique). The technique to sing above A4 is the same as singing E4 all that changes is how it sounds.
I should state that it's all connected although when singing feels smooth my connected range is about Bb2 to E5 and I lose the lower notes.

I would guess I have the easiest time singing from B2 to D4 although a more conservative range would be C3 to A3.

My second question is how would I go about getting powerful high notes?
I'd be extremely happy being able to hit an A4 with power but even a G4 would be an achievement for me.
As I said, I tend to top out at about F4 with power and I doubt I could stay up there very long. I can get high notes like C5 but I just cant get a pleasing tone up there and it lacks power.

Benjamin Burnley from Breaking Benjamin is someone I'd like to be able to sing along with but he sings powerful high notes (Ab4, A4...) and when he gets this to point I have to choose whether to sing without power and stay consistent or sing with power to F4 and then flip into falsetto on the Ab4. It is really quite a let down to myself when I sing along easily to the rest of the song but the most thrilling part comes and I just fail basically.
It confuses me because singing along to the rest of the song I will sound higher or younger (hard to describe sorry) but still can not go as high as him. Also my low notes sometimes sound deeper.

In terms of how my voice sounds I'd say I sound generally higher than Benjamin Burnley (Breaking Benjamin) and generally lower than Dallas Green (City and Colour). Closer to Benjamin Burnley altogether.

I hope you can help with at least one of these questions.
Thank you for whatever time you spend trying to help me out.

Answer
Hi, Aidan –

Thank you for the question.

You are all over the map with your descriptions, but I understand your essential concern.

My job as a professional vocal coach is to identify your vocal category. That happens through actually hearing what you are doing – not through an elaborate description that includes references to your falsetto. If you were in my studio, then I'm going to drill you through this range you describe and hear what's happening along the way from here to there.

If you sort-of sound like Benjamin Burnley – who hits a solid High A-flat in "Give Me A Sign" – but you hit the wall at High F, a minor third below – then it's probably because you're 19 and haven't met the coach who can train your upper register.

All my baritones exercise to High A-flat, most go higher. All my basses – including those younger than you – sing to at least Low E-flat, a major 3rd below this problem G of yours. Chances are, you're probably not a bass. They're really easy to recognize.

Getting the baritone or bass-baritone past High F is all about placement. In the operatic world, the dramatic baritone in PAGLIACCI has to sustain a climactic High A-flat in the aria that opens Act I:  "Si, puo". In order to have a performance-ready full-out High A-flat you must know how to exercise above that note.

My job is to show you how.

If you have a sample of your voice that I can listen to, i.e., a complete song with all the challenges, I will be happy to give you some feedback.

In the meantime, run your scales throughout your normal range – no breaking into boy band falsetto. Who cares? The standard baritone has a two-octave range between Low G and High G. That means – in performance and without a microphone. Again, owning a High G in public means you own at least High A-flat in practice.

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

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

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