Expert: Sean Martinfield - 6/12/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hi! So I recently started vocal lessons at a music school, and I was classified as a soprano, however, previously before that, I had been classified as a mezzo-soprano belter. I can reach from E2 to E5 but I'm most comfortable in my belting range. Is it safe to call myself a Soprano Belter or would I just call myself a soprano?

ANSWER: Hi, Amelia –

Thank you for the question.
Why private?

Many singers have concerns similar to yours. Let's share our exchange.
Please re-submit your question openly and I will respond.

Best regards,
Sean Martinfield
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?cat=65


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi! So I recently started vocal lessons at a music school, and I was classified as a soprano, however, previously before that, I had been classified as a mezzo-soprano belter. I can reach from E2 to E5 but I'm most comfortable in my belting range. Is it safe to call myself a Soprano Belter or would I just call myself a soprano?

Answer
Hi, Amelia –

Thank you for the question.

What do the teachers at your music school advise? After all, that's where your money is going.

It's not unusual for me to encounter the client who once thought of herself as a "mezzo-soprano with a belt" only to find out she is actually a soprano. You say your vocal range stretches over three-octaves. Doing what? In a standard-size theatre of approximately 1500 seats, singing without a microphone, and even with just a piano – could anyone beyond Row M be able to hear your Low E? How about your Low G and with a standard orchestra – again, without a mic? What happens?

The ultimate proof of your true vocal category comes with the public performance of challenging repertoire written specifically for that vocal category and over a period of time. What kind of music do YOU want to sing? Did you choose the school because they are successful with that kind of singer? What material were you performing in your "belting range" that will no longer be available to you as a diagnosed soprano?

My job as a professional vocal coach is to identify your vocal category and then train you accordingly. Then it's about applying your accumulated technique to material written for that category and with an audition or competition or performance in view. But again, what kind of music and performance situation are you aiming for?

Don't conflate "belting" with anything louder than mezzo-forte. All mezzo-sopranos and sopranos can be loud. But not all of them are performing roles generally associated with "belters", i.e., the Broadway musicals. Speaking in treble clef – where the vast majority of standard vocal music is spelled – many young belters have vocal issues somewhere between 2nd-space A-flat and 3rd-space C-sharp or 4th-line D. My job is to provide the vocal exercises that will smooth out that area and enable the singer to maneuver above and below it without evidencing any noticeable shifts into what so many refer to as either their "head voice" or "chest voice".

If you are a soprano then you are a soprano. Are you going to be happy on this road to becoming a full-fledged soprano? Still referring back to the soprano repertoire – how much of it are you aware of?

The sopranos I know and work with LOVE being a soprano. They eventually learn what material works for them and what doesn't – or might later on in their careers. They also know they will have to compete against other highly trained and fiery sopranos along the way. The term "Soprano Belter" will not appear on their resumé.

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:

THIS GUN FOR HIRE, 1942 – Looking at "Now you see it, now you don't" sung by Veronica Lake
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI26A6HdnWY

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

"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

PICASSO — Now at the de Young Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=133151

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http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=132644

“THE RAMBLER” – A World Premiere from Joe Goode Performance Group
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SANDRA BERNHARD – “I Love Being Me, Don’t You?”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=132407

JOHNNY MATHIS and "CASABLANCA" – In the Summer Line-up with SF Symphony
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=131581

SONDHEIM’S “ASSASSINS” – Ray of Light Theatre is right-on target
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=132084

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http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=130807

“THE STOPS” – At NCTC – Come On and Get A Faith Lift
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=130572

BRENDEN GUY — British Clarinetist In Concert, June 2nd
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=130065

BLUE MAN GROUP — Best show in town!
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=129943

FRAMELINE35: SF International LGBT Film Festival Opens June 16th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=129288

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THE 2011 FRESH MEAT TOUR — 4 Festive Days of Everything Transgender and Queer
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SILENT FILM FESTIVAL – Opens July 14th with re-discovered film by John Ford
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=127988

“ASSASSINS” – Ray of Light Theatre presents Stephen Sondheim’s controversial musical, June 2–25
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=127713

WEEKEND AT THE RRAZZ ROOM — Anita Cocktail,  Poppy Champlin, Julie Goldman, and Fortune Feimster
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MISSA SOLEMNIS – Christine Brewer to appear with the SF Symphony, June 23–26
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=126924

VICE PALACE – All Singing! All Dancing! All Hedonism!!!
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=126590

SEEING GERTRUDE STEIN: FIVE STORIES
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SF GIRLS CHORUS — At the Conservatory of Music, June 9th and 11th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=125872

THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS – Coming to A.C.T.
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=125577

ELIZABETH BISHOP – To sing “Fricka” in Wagner’s Ring
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=125552

BLUE MAN GROUP – Opens May 24th at the Golden Gate Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=125299

THE MAGNA CARTA — Now on view at the Legion of Honor
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SF SYMPHONY CHORUS – In Concert at Davies Hall, 5/22
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=124166

PICASSO: At the de Young Museum, Tickets on sale 5/11
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=123946

THESE AMAZING SHADOWS – Opens Friday at the Sundance Kabuki Theater
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=123766

THE LITTLE MERMAID – Fabulous Revival by SF Ballet, ends Sunday, 5/8
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=123601

SF DECORATOR SHOWCASE 2011 – 2950 Vallejo Street gets the make-over
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BETH WILMURT – A stunning “Alma” in The Eccentricities of a Nightingale, at the Aurora Theatre
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TENOR JAY HUNTER MORRIS – Replaces Ian Storey as “Siegfried” at SF Opera
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THE PRINCESS OF MONTPENSIER – Les yawns, les sighs
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CD: ZUILL BAILEY, Cellist – Brahms Works for Cello and Piano
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NO EXIT: A Helluva Great Time at the American Conservatory Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=121768

AUDITIONS: San Francisco Opera seeks physically fit male supernumeraries for Wagner’s Die Walküre and Götterdämmerung
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=121242

TIIT HELIMETS – An Interview with “Prince Edvard” of SF Ballet’s THE LITTLE MERMAID
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=120731

KIRK DOUGLAS – On stage at the Castro Theatre, July 24th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=120434

54th SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL – Presents Midnight Award to Clifton Collins Jr.
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=120042

WAGNER'S RING – Single tickets now on sale for SF Opera summer productions
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=119495

SF BALLET'S PROGRAM 7 – Petrouchka, Underskin, and Number Nine
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COMING TO SAN FRANCISCO  —  THE MAGNA CARTA
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LORENA FEIJÓO – SF Ballet Star To Appear on “Dancing with the Stars”, 4/12
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SF BALLET – Program 6, A Power-Packed Triple Feature
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CD: DAVID RUSSELL — Isaac Albéniz: Spanish Music on Guitar
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NEW CONSERVATORY THEATRE CENTER – Announces 2011-12 Pride Season
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=117780

NEW PUBLICATIONS: PUBLIC TRUST BETRAYED. An Interview with author and real estate appraiser, James E. Manning
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MARVELOUS MENAGERIE: A Roman Mosaic from Lod, Israel – At the Legion of Honor
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PHILHARMONIA BAROQUE ORCHESTRA & CHORALE – Announces 2011-2012 Season
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=116217

VICE PALACE: The Last Cockettes Musical – Opens April 29th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=115816

ARMISTEAD MAUPIN – At the Julia Morgan Theatre, Thursday, 4/14
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JOAN and SANFORD I. WEILL – Contribute $12 Million Dollars to Sonoma State University for Green Music Center
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=115431

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
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COPPÉLIA – A Gorgeous New Production at San Francisco Ballet
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DIALOGUES OF THE CARMELITES – At Fort Mason, 3/31—4/3
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NEW ON CD – Icicle Creek Piano Trio: Haydn, Turina, Shostakovich
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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
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FLORAL DESIGNER NATASHA LISITSA – Creating the Fantastical in the Wilsey Court for “Bouquets To Art 2011″
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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
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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

AVENUE Q – A Totally Fabulous Place To Be
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ORPHÉE – Ensemble Parallèle Presents SF Premiere of Opera by Philip Glass
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=108569

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

MARC HUESTIS PRESENTS – Lesley Ann Warren, Valentine's Day At The Castro Theatre
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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

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

“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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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
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AMANDA McBROOM – A rose for new CD, "CHANSON"
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CAMERON CARPENTER – Stellar Organist Returns to San Francisco
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HANDEL'S "ORLANDO" – An Interview with Conductor Nicholas McGagen
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=67774

CAMERON CARPENTER – At Davies Symphony Hall
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PEARLS OVER SHANGHAI – An Interview with Russell Blackwood
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PIANIST MISHA DICHTER – A Conversation
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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
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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
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?cat=65