Expert: Amandalynne - 12/20/2007

Question
Hello,

I think that I am a baritone (my range right now is from G2 to G4, and I'm 18), but I am not quite sure. My uncle, who sang opera for several years, thought I was a tenor, and I took a few voice lessons from a professional coach (quite an accomplished one), and she also thought that I'm a tenor. However, reading Sean Martinfield's answers, it seems to me like I'd be more of a baritone than a tenor. I also feel like my voice is more resonant in my higher range, but it can be hard for me to control the volume of it once I approach my limits.

My other question is regarding audition pieces: I am a pretty serious actor and would like to do some musical theater too, so I was wondering what advice you'd have about audition pieces for a singer like me. I've been singing "Something's Coming" from West Side Story, but there's probably something better for me to sing.

Answer
Reilly,
Not everybody's voice falls into a strict classification.  Instead of being concerned if you are a tenor/baritone/bass focus on what songs truly show off your range and sound.

Go to your local music store or amazon.com and purchase The Singer's Musical Theatre Anthology (both tenor and bass versions) versions.
You may also find it at your library.

I highly recommend it as a valuable investment for anyone who is going to be doing musical theatre.  I own all the soprano volumes myself.  

Play around with the pieces in the anthology.  Find something that suits your voice and that makes you feel confident.  Practice!  

It is hard to recommend a specific song without ever having heard you sing.  I would check out the anthologies and find one there.  Once you find something let me know what you pick and if you want audition tips.