Calling All Musicians!

[Angel]

Now, I'm assuming that we all at least have a general affection for music, right? Anyway, for all you musos, here's a thread to talk about your instrument(s) and, if you want, post clips of yourself playing. Sound like fun?

As for me, I'm primarily a pianist. I've been taking lessons for nine years and have just moved on from literally four or five years of classical (with smatterings of jazz) to some twentieth century compositions. This means I get to play something loud and discordant at the next recital. Fun.

I've also been taking singing lessons for the past year through my school's music program, mostly simple music theatre stuff, with a bit of classical. I'm uncertain as to what voice type I have - my teacher seems to think I'm a soprano who's scared of heights, but I think I could be a lyric mezzo with an upper extension. Anyway, I'm getting a new voice teacher next year, because my current one is leaving the school. I also sing in our school chorale, which is audition-entry.

Finally, if I have to, I can sort of scrape out a tune on the violin, but it doesn't sound pretty. I learnt for two years when I was younger, but I hated the screeching sound I kept making And I can also play the recorder, although I much prefer tenor recorders to the tooty descants. Tenor recorders are just so much cooler.

Anyway, I've babbled on enough. Who else is a musician?

[Simple Rose]

Welll I can't say I've actually studied too many instruments, though I do play a small variety.

In ontario, it's a mandatory thing for students to play instruments in grades seven and eight, and to take music class. So, therefore, I have played the flute ever since. It is a really pretty instrument, but oh boy never try playing with a fog machine just beneath your seat... (for Lord of the Dance, we decided to go all funky)

I'm teaching myself to play piano, and like to think I have an excellent ear. If I have a song stuck in my head, and about fifteen minutes, I can usually figure out a good portion of that song. I've written a number of songs, though nothing too complex. Usually a combination of chords, and the majority of it is the melody (right hand).

I've sung since I could speak. I am my own tutor, and my ear comes into great handy when I practice. I can usually tell if I'm sharp, flat, over-vibrato, too soft, too loud, or not articulating well enough. I've been told I have an excellent voice and have decided I'm a coloratura with an extensive whistle tone and very comfortable lower range.

I'm very curious to know about the other musicians here, as well

[Angel]

That's really cool, Em! My sister is a flautist as well, as is one of my best friends. I agree - it really is very pretty.

Generally I find, once I've figured out the key, it's reasonably simple for me to play the melody of a song I don't have music for (and just throw in some chords). But since I've amassed quite a collection of sheet music over the years, if I want to play a song, I usually already have the music Never really composed anything of my own, though.

It's great that you can pinpoint what you need to work on like that, Em I'm also one of those people who's always been a singer, and I can tell when something's not working. I find though, that a voice teacher will be able to help me out better than if I was just left to my own devices. For instance, for ages I was frustrated about not getting enough breath support, my teacher was the one saying, "No, breath through your mouth, think about filling up from your toes, don't let your shoulders come up ..." etc. It's funny what a little knowledge does, though. I'm the first one to admit I'm far from perfect and I haven't really been learning all that long, but I listen to clips of myself singing from last year (when I thought I was really good) and I'm just cringing and thinking, "Holy cow. Did I actually sound like that?"

[Jaycee]

OK, where to begin. I've been taking piano since i was about seven but i'm not really that good. I'm in level 5 of Royal conservatory. Like Em, I have quite a good ear, so I've been experimenting a bit with composing but no masterpieces yet.

My primary instrument (voice not included) is the clarinet. I've been playing with the school band for about four years and I love it. I just had my first HIgh School concert last night and it was very loud.

I'm one of the youngest members of a very good girls choir that is going to China this summer. I've loved singing since about grade 4 and last year I starred in my school musical.

So that's my story. Not to interesting .

[Angel]

Of course it's interesting, Jaycee! Especially the part about going to China - you must be so excited! Which musical did you do? (I missed out on being in our school's production of Sweet Charity this year ... unfortunately we were required to dance. Let's just say that they'd be better off casting a brontosaurus than me in that case.)

Anyway, we do seem to have quite the collection of pianists here! And I feel special, as I just finished figuring out a halfway-decent 'Happy Birthday', which I've been asked to play at my grandmother's birthday party. See, I dig out my sheet music, and it's ridiculously simple. I'm too lazy to go and look for anything else, so naturally, I just added some chords, arpeggios and a glissando and, ta da!

[Jaycee]

I can't actually remember the name of the musical, it's some unknown musical that nobody's ever heard of. I was really just a small elementary school production. As for your comment about the dancing... don't feel bad. I almost got kicked out of musical theatre because i'm sucha bad dancer!

[Angel]

I'd really like some fellow musicians' opinions on this little decision of mine.

As part of the 'getting to know you' of our chorale (don't ask), our conductor wants us each to sing a solo song at some point. As they're doing the first sopranos first, it is extremely likely that I will be up to bat not this week, but next week, and I have four different songs I've done in lessons that I'm contemplating. (Sadly, no Phantom songs.) They are as follows:

Caro Mio Ben (Giordani): An Italian song about loving somebody and asking them not to cheat on you, basically. I like this one; I sang it for a competition last year. It sits in a good spot for my voice and I know it backwards and forwards. My only real objection to singing it is wanting to try something new; I don't want to get bored of it.

Beauty and the Beast (Disney): I'm sure you know this one. I think it could be a bit too 'pretty', if you know what I mean, but I do like the song and it's in an easy range for me, even though the tessitura is a bit lower than I'd like. My main reason for considering this one is because one of the chorale's up-and-coming pieces is an acapella version of this song with a solo spot open, and I have my eye on it

Empty Chairs at Empty Tables (Les Mis): I love, love, love this song. Sure, it's written for a guy, but stick it up an octave and it's all good. Again, range is fine with me, but there are a couple of phrases where I find it difficult to pitch (that's what I get for teaching it to myself from a memory of a tune instead of from the sheet music : That's going to be rather simple to fix, though. My main gripe is that the song does drag on a bit and the whole thing is doom and gloom; I don't want to bore people who don't understand the back-story, which is essentially what makes the song powerful.

I Dreamed a Dream (Les Mis): My voice teacher suggested this one even though I was a bit hesitant. I consider this song a real music theatre classic and I don't want to screw it up. I know it back to front, but the problem I have is range. It's really low, and has a Gb Below Middle C of Death. I can hit the note, but I get nervous about doing it. Also, there is no freaking way I'm belting the top note of 'And they turn your dream to shame' because I'll kill my voice, and it sounds really odd in the head voice because by then I'm generally running a bit low on breath (I need to work on that). However, if I work hard at it, I can see myself pulling it off and I do love the song.

So, any thoughts? I'm open

[Simple Rose]

Personally, I would do the song you're most comfortable with, which is Caro Mio Ben. I fell in love with that song (even though Hilary Duff was singing it... in Raise Your Voice) and it is truly beautiful. You know it backwards and forwards, and it's a comfortable range, which means nerves will have the least impact on that song.

I would almost say Beauty and the Beast but, like a theater audition, you don't want to sing something too relevant to the part you want (such as a song from the show or by your character). Caro Mio Ben would demonstrate your talent sufficiently.

[Angel]

Thanks for the advice, Em

[Simple Rose]

Speaking of auditions...

Next September, my school board is very likely to put on "Guys and Dolls" for their production. After doing some research, I decided that I want to audition for the role of Sarah.... thing is, I can't think of a good audition song! I know it's in September but I like to be very very prepared so that I don't get too nervous...

What songs display both jazziness and operaticness/high range? The only one I can think of is "The Girl in 14G"... but honestly, how difficult is that song? As well, the operatic part is TOO operatic, and the jazzy part comes in far too late for an audition. Any ideas?

[Angel]

High-range jazz songs are honestly extremely hard to come by ... When I read the start of your post, I immediately thought of 14G, too, but I do agree with your hesitations about it. I don't know if you've chosen a song, yet, but if you haven't, maybe you could try A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square. It shows off the higher register quite nicely, and it does have an upbeat, jazzy mood. Admittedly, I wouldn't call it pure jazz, but then again, I'd say it was probably jazzier than some of Sarah's songs ... Anyway, just a suggestion. Hope the audition goes well

UPDATE: Well, I'm going to be participating in a holiday music theatre audition masterclass in September, and they've asked us to prepare two contrasting songs. So far, my best bets are The Simple Joys of Maidenhood (Camelot) for an uptempo one, and Far From the Home I Love (Fiddler on the Roof) for a ballad, but I am also considering Hello, Young Lovers (The King and I) and Summertime (Porgy and Bess). (I also would have liked to do Green Finch and Linnet Bird (Sweeney Todd), but who am I kidding? That song is hard as hell, and my voice probably needs another year or two to develop before I even attempt it ... but I love it so! Oh, well ::shrug: So that's just a little update from me on my music ...

And, for fun, here's a link to a clip of mine. I recorded it some time last year ... can't remember exactly when. Anyway, it's a piano solo of Music of the Night, which I'm quite fond of. There are a couple of things I'd like to fix with it, but as I do not own recording equipment at the moment, I can't. (I recorded it on a hired laptop computer, which I do not have anymore ... I really need to buy a microphone for my computer.) Anyway, enjoy.

media.putfile.com/The-Music-of-the-Night-Phantom-of-the-Opera---Piano

[The Angelic Angel]

Hi!
I'm a pianist primarily, and also a flautist-ish. Hmm... I quite like singing, though I only sing in choirs and I do not have lessons or anything like that. I've been playing piano for quite a few years, and I've got onto some reasonably advanced repertoire...

[Angel]

Yay for primarily pianists!

Just out of interest, what is everybody playing/preparing at the moment? It's interesting to compare repertoires ... as for me ...

Piano:
Toccata (Khachaturian)
Flight of the Bumblebee (Rimsky-Korsakov)
Impromptu (Schubert)
Home (Beauty and the Beast) -- this one's an accompaniment for a friend though, not a solo piece.

Voice:
Se tu m'ami (Pergolesi)
Nel cor più non mi sento (Paisiello)
Alma del core (Caldara)
The Simple Joys of Maidenhood (Camelot)

There are tons of others I generally play/sing and have worked on in the past, but these are the ones I'm concentrating on at the moment.

[The Angelic Angel]

Well, on piano-
Pour le piano (all movements), Debussy
Concerto No.6, I think, or it might be 8.... well, it's in C major. Mozart
Etude Op. 10 No. 3, Chopin
Prelude and Fugue in D minor, Bk 1, Bach

I have many other pieces (mostly Chopin), but I'm not really working on them at the moment-I'm playing the Debussy for a concert in a few weeks, so that's the most important at the moment.

[Hi-chan]

Oh, how I envy all you piano players. I only WISH I could play piano.

I sing in my church choir (I'm an alto ^__^ We don't have enough of them... -_-;

Apart from that, my primary instrument is clarinet. Speaking of which, the reason I haven't been on much this month is because of two words: BAND CAMP. That's right, band camp has been sucking up all my time. But, what can I say? I love marching band. ;D Our school's marching band is going to Indianapolis, Indiana in a few months for a national competition. I'm so excited! This is going to be my biggest adventure since my Alaska cruise! (And the farthest away I've ever been from home...but at least I have my fellow band mates to keep me company...and my sis, who's also in band--she plays flute).

After marching band season ends in November, I hope to start taking violin lessons because violin has always been a fascinating instrument to me. ;D

So...yah. Nuthin' much here.

[LittleLotte394]

I feel so out of place in all this talent...I can't play any sort of instrument to save my life, unless you count my voice. People are always complimenting me when I sing, which is nice. In fact, at a karoke place in New York, I sang "No Good Deed" and a woman told me I could be on Broadway. ;D That made my day.

I'm a mezzosoprano (I found that out a few months ago). I used to sing in my church choir in South FL before I moved, and now I'm looking for a good chorus program up here. In fact, in December, the local theater is having auditions for Oliver, which I may do. However, I don't know that much about it, so I'm not sure what I should sing. Could anyone tell me a bit about the show's songs and give me some reccomendations?

[Angel]

Aie ... you have no idea how jealous I am of you right now, Lotte! Oliver! has been one of my favourite musicals since I was about seven ... honestly, I'd be ecstatic just to be able to audition for it

Anyway ::rubs hands gleefully:: Oliver! info ... you probably know that it's a Lionel Bart musical based on the Charles Dickens book, Oliver Twist. It follows the story of young orphaned Oliver Twist who is kicked out of his orphanage after he dares to ask the beadle, Mr Bumble for more gruel. He is sold to an undertaker, but escapes and ends up getting mixed up with a gang of young pickpockets led by antihero Fagin. Oliver, through a stroke of good fortune, however, manages to get himself adopted by the wealthy and kind Mr Brownlow, but Fagin's brutal partner-in-crime, Bill Sikes, is determined to get him back in case he rats them out ...

An abbreviated song list:
'Food, Glorious Food' (sung by workhouse children who long for a better meal than gruel)
'Oliver!' (Mr Bumble, Mrs Corney and workhouse children scold Oliver for asking for more)
'Where is Love?' (Oliver's poignant solo as he finds himself alone and friendless at the Sowerberrys')
'Consider Yourself' (The Artful Dodger welcomes Oliver into his group of friends)
'I'd Do Anything' (Nancy, Dodger and Bet teach Oliver how to be genteel)
'As Long As He Needs Me' (Nancy swears to stay true to Bill)
'Who Will Buy?' (Oliver rejoices that he's safe and it's a beautiful day)
'Reviewing the Situation' (Fagin contemplates turning over a new leaf)

The female roles available in this show are Nancy (the female lead, Sikes's mistress, hangs around with the pickpockets but has a good heart, sticks up for Oliver, gets beat up by Sikes but is still fiercely loyal to him, has a kick-ass solo song), Bet (Nancy's friend, sings a couple of duets with Nancy, a smaller role but lots of stage time), Mrs Corney (the matron of the orphanage, a real meanie, love interest of Mr Bumble), Mrs Sowerberry (wife of the undertaker Oliver goes to, a lot like Mrs Corney, sings the blackly comic duet 'That's Your Funeral'), Charlotte (the Sowerberrys' assistant, no singing, bullies Oliver) and Mrs Bedwin (maid/nurse in the Brownlow household, sings a really tiny bit, lovely and motherly). Nancy and Bet dance a bit, too, I'm pretty sure.

When it comes to picking parts, all the female roles are mezzos or altos, so I don't think there'd be an issue there, but Nancy has quite a high belt range ... I'm assuming you're a teenager, right? I'd go for Bet or Charlotte, as Nancy's an older role (early twenties-ish). If it's a youth production, though, ignore this Anyway, Bet has heaps more stage time than Charlotte, and she sings, but Charlotte's probably a better acting part, so it depends what you're looking for. For an audition for Bet, I'd sing something like 'Wouldn't it be Loverly' from My Fair Lady. Pretty much everyone in this show seems to have a cockney accent, but, of course, that's up to your director. In this show, Nancy's the only one who really needs a fantastic voice; the rest are really 'character voices'.

Okay, I might have gone a bit on overdrive, but I hope this helps you ... definitely audition, it's a great show!

[LittleLotte394]

Thanks so much, Angel ! I've been doing some research myself, and I'll most likely be auditioning for Bet. While not completely familiar with My Fair Lady, I do know some of the songs, including "Wouldn't It Be Loverly." (In fact, that's the song my grandmother reccomended.) I'll be sure to keep you all posted on how things go, once it gets closer to audtions.

Eeek- I'm so excited about Oliver! and there's over a month to go!

[Angel]

Glad to help, Lotte Hope all goes well ... even if you do have a month to wait!

Incidentally, my local youth theatre company is holding auditions for Sweet Charity next month. I'll probably go and have a shot at them ... although I'll probably go for a chorus part, as they want the leads to belt and, well, I don't do belting Honestly, though, this is the third production of Sweet Charity that's played around here this year ... we had my school's production, then a performing arts university did it, and now the youth theatre place is! Talk about overkill. (I'm actually far more interested in their production of Camelot ... auditions in January next year!)

UPDATE: Well, my voice teacher has decided to explore my lower range, which, I've just discovered, is bigger than I thought. Seriously, my voice just seems to be going crazy this year -- first I thought I was a mezzo, then got told that I was a soprano, then had somebody tell me what a beautiful alto I had when I did a recital, then thought I was a mezzo again for a while, and now am just really, really, really confused.

I mean, as for my range, I'm very reliable from about an F below middle C up to about an A below high C. However, after a warm-up, I'm comfortable going down to an E-flat and up to high E. If that was confusing, the blue on the diagram below is what I can sing reliably now, and the grey is what is comfortable after a warm-up.



Obviously, range isn't enough to classify a voice; it's where it sits best. More problems for me. I think that my voice has the best tone both down the very low end, particularly around low G to low B, and also around the upper E (not the very top E, but the one below it) to A-flat.

You guys have any thoughts? If it helps, here's some of my current repertoire.

Green Finch and Linnet Bird (Sweeney Todd)
Se tu m'ami (Pergolesi)
Le Violette (Scarlatti)
How Are Things in Glocca Morra? (Finnian's Rainbow)
Don't Tell Mama (Cabaret)
Losing My Mind (Follies)

A recording would probably help more, but due to my lack of equipment, that's slightly difficult at the moment

I've asked my singing teacher, but she's quite evasive and keeps saying that she doesn't really want to classify me. It's mainly for curiosity's sake that I'm asking you guys for your thoughts.

[Simple Rose]

I've gotten pretty much the same confusion, but I've come to the conclusion that I am ultimately a Mezzo Soprano... your range is even very similar to mine, though I go up to G6 when I'm really warmed up and down to low C. Judging by people's comments, your tone is also very similar to mine. The director of Godspell organized me as an Alto, however, the rest of the world is convinced I'm soprano. Little do they know, my tone is too dark to be a pure soprano So, thus, I am Mezzo. And thus, I'm assuming you are too

[The Angelic Angel]

Speaking of singing ranges, I was put into Alto 2 for our choir, and sometimes I also sing Tenor 1 as there is no-one else who does. My range is, I think, from low D below middle C, a weird bit around F which I can't sing properly sometimes, and up to about the second Bb/B above middle C (which sounds more like a dying cat often). Maybe a little further or back either way depending on circumstances.