Help with current role as Belle... - 2007/12/21 20:28NOTE BEFORE YOU READ THIS: I am realizing at an alarming rate how overly-wordy I am. Feel free to skim. You really don't have to read the whole thing.
I recently auditioned for Beauty and the Beast at my high school. Although I knew I had a decent voice and good enough acting skills, I never thought I'd get the lead (although I wanted it more than anything) because other than my one middle-school play, I've never had a non-ensemble part. However, the cast list was posted a few days ago and I actually got Belle, which is amazing.
There were, of course, many, many people who wanted the role. I know at least 3 or 4 that are much better singers than I am; I really got the part because of my acting skill. Now I don't have a bad voice by any means, but I also don't have the stunning voices that they do. Which is why I'm sure some of them are unhappy about my getting the part over them.
I really want to prove that I did deserve the part, but there's things that I'm still extremely unsure about singing-wise, and I was hoping someone on here could help me out with any or all of them. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
(a) Volume- I'll start with this one since it's such a general thing. I do not have a very loud voice. I don't have an airy voice or anything, and I've sung in enough choirs that I do know proper breathing technique and diaphragm support and everything. I don't think I'm doing anything wrong, exactly, and it's not like you can't hear me at all... I just don't have that loud of a voice, and if I try to push it, my voice just cracks. I'm the type of person who would not be able to be heard without a microphone. I can loud-ish in my mid-lower voice (middle C-A ish) and with really high notes (high G or above) but other than that... I mean, I don't think I ever sing with Mme. de la Grande Bouche and Babette, but they (and one of the Silly Girls) are much, much louder than I am, for example. Is this a huge problem? And if it is, any tips?
(b) Specific parts of songs I'm worried about:
1. "There must be more than this provincial life" and all variations of it- I know that this has to be clear and... sharp, for lack of a better word. It's all sung right in my break (upper C-E), which means I'd have a hard time singing it anyhow, let alone the way it's meant to be sung, with a full, rich, not quite piecing but that kind of idea, sound. I hope I'm making sense here. This goes for all of the "loud" section of "Belle Reprise", which is from "I want much more than this provincial life" to "I want it more than I can tell" (hopefully someone here is familiar with the music, haha).
2. "Home"- I sound good in this song for the most part; it's more specific sections, particularly the skippy ones. For example, "Home should be where the heart is," especially the word "be". Even more, "What I'd give to return" and "And to think I complained" with those top notes being the tough ones. I can't sing the top ones in my chest voice, but it seems to sound weird in head voice. And if I do get it to sound decent, it's horribly flat. Help?
Also, in "Home", I have a bit of trouble with the "Build higher walls around me", because I'm so close to being able to sing it all in the same voice, but I just can't, which wouldn't be such a big deal if it weren't the most important part of the song. Help again?
3. "A Change in Me"- This is probably my biggest worry right now. I sound fine until the second "And I", the part that more or less requires a belted C. I can't get the first "And I" as strong as some people do, but I tend to like versions of the song where the first one is very relaxed and quiet, which works to my advantage. Anyhow, the second one- I can't belt at all, and my voice isn't low enough for them to be able to lower the key the 1 or 2 half-steps I'd need to be able to do it the way it's supposed to be done. It's such a huge and important and (theoretically) show-stopping note, and Iam almost positive I can't do it. I really, really need help on this one.
(c) Other- Just wondering if you have any other general tips for someone like me who hasn't performed solo in a long time. Just how to have a generally more powerful, captivating, musical theatre-y voice.
Now, I know that you could very well say "Why isn't your music director doing this with you?!". We haven't started rehearsals yet (we won't until after New Year's, seeing how we won’t be in school) and when we do go back, I’m sure she will work on it with me. I’m just really nervous about these things and want to get a kind of head start.
Thanks in advance… - Caitlin / Cait -
Favorites Belle in Beauty and the Beast (2008), Jupiter in Cymbeline (2006), Narrator in Joseph... (2005) Present (possibly) YAGMCB...
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
clingtowords
User Supporting Player
Posts: 102
Karma: 2
Re:Help with current role as Belle... - 2007/12/21 23:08Number one, I must say, it is good that you are trying to prepare in advance, but make sure you don't worry yourself to death or you will have used all your energy up in worrying and not in improving your performance. Apparently, the directors saw something in you to cast you in such an important part so don't worry yourself into thinking you have to prove yourself in any way.
When it comes to volume, I feel that most of my volume comes from me being completely supported. Generally, I am pretty loud, but when I am not supported in my breath all the way I can really hear a difference. Maybe if you work on that so that you feel totally comfortable you might hear a difference. I am by no means a voice teacher so my suggestions might not work for you, but I hope they help in some way.
I recently did "Home" at voice lessons, and I totally feel you on the certain phrases you picked out as troubling you. With the phrase "What I'd give to return", my teacher suggested that I sing it in a much more smoother and connected, working it more in a head voice, more legit. It may sound weird to you, but it most likely sounds good to other people who are listening. I think if you work on smoothing out the phrase "Build higher walls" the notes might come easier as well. I hope this makes sense and helps in some way.
Don't make yourself nervous. Just work at it, and things will feel better. Best of luck.
Post edited by: clingtowords, at: 2007/12/21 23:10
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
triplethreat
Admin Admin
Posts: 1192
Karma: 24
Re:Help with current role as Belle... - 2007/12/22 09:15This is not a role I have had the pleasure of playing so I am not overly familiar with it, but I will say two things:
As clingtowards said, the director(s) cast you in the role, so they do bear a certain amount of responsibility to prepare you for it. Relax, do your best but also enjoy the experience, and you will be fine. I'll also add that if your acting ability did win you the role, don't get so caught up in improving your singing that you forget to bring that acting ability to the songs as well. Acting a song is just as important as singing it - sometimes more, depending on the song.
Secondly, some people do naturally sing louder than others, but there are certain things you can do to "boost" your volume. I know you say you are well versed on breathing technique but practicing it regularly can strengthen the muscles a great deal. I have a few exercises explained in my breathing article under "tips" (at the top of your screen) in case you are interested. If you aren't someone who gets a lot of exercise you might try working a little cardiovascular work into your daily routine as this can also make a difference. Finally, try not to concentrate on volume itself too much - when we really try to "push" our volume we often end up tensing up muscles and then we lose the support that we need - so it backfires miserably. Use proper technique, get really comfortable with the songs, and then let the emotion take you away - the volume will come._____________ Kris MTA Admin
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
I'm so glad Kris said to remember to act during the songs themselves. I went to see BATB earlier this year and that was the biggest letdown with Belle. She had a very pretty voice, but failed to bring any real emotion to the songs, especially "Home." I am so familiar with that song having done it in voice lessons and a few auditions that I am always a little more critical of that one. What Kris and clingtowords said about the support is right. I used to have a few trouble spots too. The more I practiced the song and breath support the stronger I got.
Whatever you do, don't tell yourself that you can't do something. At one point my director wanted more volume from my midrange and didn't want me to belt because I would over power the other singers. I told her I couldn't do it and she said, "Yes you can. Just try it." Sure enough she was right The MD also taught me ways to get even more sound out, all of the time. I projected really well before, but now I can get even more volume, which I didn't think was possible, just by opening my mouth differently.
Maybe you can find a voice teacher to help you work on your music outside of rehearsal. That may help to boost your confidence.
Remember to have fun, relax, and enjoy this experience.~Annie Recently: Pick-A-Little-Lady (The Music Man), Miss Thorn (Ruthless! the Musical), Emma Carew (Jekyll & Hyde)
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
carrot cait
User Chorus Member
Posts: 61
Karma: 1
Re:Help with current role as Belle... - 2007/12/23 22:33Thank you all for your help! I do realize that I’m probably making a big deal out of nothing on this one; it’s really that I want to do a good job at it.
clingtowords- I definitely agree with you about the being comfortable and having more volume thing. There are very rare times when I can be fairly loud (not throughout a whole song, more like a few notes) and it’s always when I completely know the material and usually when I’m by myself.
Also, I like the idea of “connecting” the notes. I’m not sure if you’re familiar with Mozart’s “Lacrymosa”, (which I just now figured out was butchered horribly by Evanescence… that’s another story) but our honors chorus just performed it in concert. The sopranos have a ton of octave or near-octave skips, and one of the problems we had was having a complete break in sound between the skip. It sounded much better when we made it more flowy and connected, so although they’re two completely different styles of music, I think I can use the same idea there.
Kris- Thanks for the ideas. I know I should probably start exercising, and knowing that it will help my singing situation is a great incentive. I looked for the exercises you were talking about and couldn’t find them- could you link to them, please?
I also understand what you’re saying about just having to relax sometimes. The hardest part about that is that it goes against our natural instinct to tense up, but I’ve found that just relaxing helps in so many areas of life.
Annie- Thank you as well! I definitely agree about putting emotion into the song; it ruins the whole thing if it isn’t. I’d rather see a show with a decent singer who’s a great actress over one with a fantastic singer who doesn’t know how to act.
Also, I’m trying very hard to find a voice teacher, but I can’t seem to. How would you go about finding one in your area?- Caitlin / Cait -
Favorites Belle in Beauty and the Beast (2008), Jupiter in Cymbeline (2006), Narrator in Joseph... (2005) Present (possibly) YAGMCB...
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
brucecriesxout
User Supporting Player
Posts: 284
Karma: 7
Re:Help with current role as Belle... - 2007/12/25 13:19Since everyone pretty much spoke on everything I could possibly say. I'll just tell you how to go about finding a voice teacher.
Well, talk to your current choral/choir directors they usually ALWAYS know someone and if their a good choral director thats a plus because whoever they'll send at you will be good.
UM if their is also any local conservatories look into which professor are taking on new students, that would be helpful as well.
I hope I helped Name: Bruce Current Production: None. Upcoming Auditions:
The Butler Did It Singing (Chandler)
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
carrot cait
User Chorus Member
Posts: 61
Karma: 1
Re:Help with current role as Belle... - 2007/12/25 18:08Thanks... Unfortunately, I can't ask my chorus teacher about finding a voice teacher, because if I asked her, she would just offer to be my teacher herself instead of suggesting one. I know she would be a good teacher, but I just don't want her as mine. That probably doesn't make sense; I'd just rather find one outside the school.- Caitlin / Cait -
Favorites Belle in Beauty and the Beast (2008), Jupiter in Cymbeline (2006), Narrator in Joseph... (2005) Present (possibly) YAGMCB...
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Annie
User Supporting Player
Posts: 260
Karma: 6
Re:Help with current role as Belle... - 2007/12/26 00:19If you live near a university/college that offers voice classes chances are the teachers will give private lessons as well. That's how I got started as an adult. I did have to pay her through the university though, so it was quite expensive. I've also found them by asking the clerks at the local music stores or looking on their bulletin boards to see if anyone has posted that they offer lessons. You might even be able to find them in the local yellow pages.
Good luck in your search.~Annie Recently: Pick-A-Little-Lady (The Music Man), Miss Thorn (Ruthless! the Musical), Emma Carew (Jekyll & Hyde)
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Kris- Thank you as well; it's a very helpful article and I think I'm going to go do some of those exercises right now.- Caitlin / Cait -
Favorites Belle in Beauty and the Beast (2008), Jupiter in Cymbeline (2006), Narrator in Joseph... (2005) Present (possibly) YAGMCB...
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
mezzo_soprano
User Supporting Player
Posts: 226
Karma: 1
Re:Help with current role as Belle... - 2007/12/28 19:19congrats on getting the part! I really can't help you with any of the problems but the people on these boards give good advise. (BTW what servant were you in Romeo and Juliet?)
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
carrot cait
User Chorus Member
Posts: 61
Karma: 1
Re:Help with current role as Belle... - 2007/12/29 12:44Thanks, and I was Mary. I'm pretty sure most of them don't have names so we made them up.- Caitlin / Cait -
Favorites Belle in Beauty and the Beast (2008), Jupiter in Cymbeline (2006), Narrator in Joseph... (2005) Present (possibly) YAGMCB...
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
mezzo_soprano
User Supporting Player
Posts: 226
Karma: 1
Re:Help with current role as Belle... - 2007/12/29 15:02We didn't make up names for ours but I was the Servant in act 1 scene 3. (fun changing for the ball scene, I had to get into a prom dress while the Montagues sang part of Bohemian Rhapsody, Our production cut the Queen Mab speech and set the play in the 80's) What scene were you?
OKAY back on topic
If you were cast for acting talent, don't get so caught up in your singing you forget to act. Just do what feels right.
I know I'm not a whole lot of help.
Post edited by: mezzo_soprano, at: 2007/12/29 15:04
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
carrot cait
User Chorus Member
Posts: 61
Karma: 1
Re:Help with current role as Belle... - 2007/12/30 01:02I actually don't know what exact scene I was in, because we divide our Shakespeare plays into beats instead of scenes. I was in the "before the ball" scene, and I think I had a line during the ball and later on before the "wedding". Mostly we did the set changes... We kept it in the original time period, although it would have been awesome to do an 80's version.
And I love the Queen Mab speech, although our guy didn't do the best on it.- Caitlin / Cait -
Favorites Belle in Beauty and the Beast (2008), Jupiter in Cymbeline (2006), Narrator in Joseph... (2005) Present (possibly) YAGMCB...
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
mezzo_soprano
User Supporting Player
Posts: 226
Karma: 1
Re:Help with current role as Belle... - 2008/01/03 19:11That's the scene I was in! Our set had balconys and I delivered my line from there (and almost ran over people trying to get back to the dressing room in time)! It was pretty cool (even though heights freak me out)
wow I am offtopic!
Post edited by: mezzo_soprano, at: 2008/01/03 19:12
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
