If you get trained to sing more classically, can you still sing musical theatre, and other styles??

[JayKid]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 1:50pm

I'm curious... if you learn a more classical style to singing through lessons or whatever, is it still possible to turn that style off and sing musical theatre, or whatever else you want to sing. Or is it like that training style will influence all your singing.

So basically is learning to sing one way making you more specific or will you be versatile because you are able to sing classically, as well as musical theatre ish (which can be pop, r&b, rockish, etc really). There are defiently differences so curious about that...

So yea, if anyone can give me an opinion on this, it'd be helpful, thanks!

I'm takin lessons for the first time and he is most likely going to get me doing some classical style stuff, and I said I didn't mind since I'd like to learn to sing in different ways. however, if it means I can only sing more classically with everything, then I'd tell him i'd rather not take that approach as much.

I'm unexperienced with this stuff, so if someone could give me advice, I'd be very grateful...

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 2:00pm

I think it can only improve your ability to sing musical theatre.

Lawrence Paxton, a music professor and vocal instructor in Hawaii, is a fine lyrical tenor opera singer yet he also stars in musical theatre productions there all the time.

He was a protege of Leonard Bernstein.

[JayKid]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 2:02pm

hmmm thanks!!

See, I know it takes a lot of practice to even get any classical or opera type sound... but I just want to get started in a right track. You know? So like if i'm going to be taking voice lessons for the next 4 years here... definetly don't want it all to go towards somethin I don't exactly want.

I want to be able to sing that way, BUT I want to be able to change stylistically to sing other things as well.

So if it's gonna be helpful, I'll definetly keep at it.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 2:04pm

This is how you learn to sing. It's the technique to singing properly. From there, you can sing musical theatre, rock, jazz, opera--whatever your voice can do and what you study when you focus on that or those particular styles.

You may be creating a classical sound at the moment, but that's where you learn how to breathe, placement, etc. And, actually, if you are going to ever sing a legit role in musical theatre, whether chorus or leading man, you will actually sing that way. And knowing how to sing that way allows even the most character of character singers the knowledge of how to sing easier, better, and safer--and the consistence and endurance needed for a Broadway run.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 2:07pm

It's the only way.

[Popular]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 2:08pm

This is part of Stephanie J. Block's answer to a similar question:

I began with my voice teacher when I was 11 years old. I had an "Annie" belt and everyone "ohhed and ahhed". My teacher did not allow me to sing a song for almost 2 years. The training was all about mastering breathing, mouth shape, the study of the anatomy of the voice, etc...Then we began a more classical training. She felt if I could sing the classical material, then musical theatre would be a "breeze".

[JayKid]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 2:10pm

thanks so much everyone!!!!!

:)

[BroadwayBettini2]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 6:42pm

Singing classical is like first learning ballet. Classic singing is the basic fundementals. It's absolutly necessary to learn classical, as it is necessary to learn ballet for any dancer.

[Sarah2]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 7:00pm

Hmm I take lessons and kind of alternate what I sing, sometimes classical and sometimes broadway and some pop. I'm also in a choir that sings more in a classical style. Do you think right now I should sing completely classical in lessons? And what about extending range...would classical training help more with that or would it not make much of a difference either way?

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 7:09pm

Yes, classical training teaches you about breath and placement--things that can help you find lower and higher notes--and sing them pretty.

[Sarah2]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 7:23pm

What about strengthening the chest voice though?

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 7:28pm

Yes--anything you want to improve, you would do through classical training first. Now, if there is a particular sound that your teacher doesn't want to teach you, you can work with a Broadway vocal coach at some point.

A classical teacher is going to focus on legit singing--opera, art songs, maybe cross-over musical theatre. They may not want to work with you on musical comedy, pop/rock, jazz/standards etc.

Updated On: 9/24/05 at 07:28 PM

Posted: 9/25/05 at 8:56am

As long as it's done with the right frame of mind, it can be very helpful - scales, lieder - all that will make you a better singer and give you a true sense of musicality - but -

If you start learning opera roles and singing only in italian or french and singing only with operatic placement -in other words, if the operatic/classical training goes on too long, then you will hamper your ability to sing like a pop singer or a Broadway person.

The classical technique and the focus on vowels just screws that up...

So yeah, learn this stuff - but keep your eyes and ears always focused on what you really want to sing....