Learning how to

Posted: 11/20/10 at 2:50am

I was just cast as Dennis in a local production of All Shook Up. I'm really excited about the role and look forward to taking on it's challenges. However, there is one problem. Dennis is a tenor, I am a baritone. This role is very demanding for even a tenor. The highest note he has to hit (which he just pops once or twice) in the show is a B (Bb?) in his song "It Hurts Me." I've only had a year and a half of formal vocal training, and I have a G (comfortably) in my chest voice, a G# is pushing it a little, but I have one nonetheless. My question is, do you think it will be possible for me to learn how to pop that B (or Bb if that's what it is, I can't recall right now) in about three months?

The title says "learning how to belt" because I've never learned how to belt before (never had to) and I assume that's what I will need to do in order to achieve this goal.
Updated On: 11/20/10 at 02:50 AM

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 11/20/10 at 6:45pm

I wish it were possible to help you over an online forum, but it's really not. It took years of practice for me (a fellow baritone) to get up there. All I can say is to lift your soft palate and place the sound towards the back of your head, but more importantly, don't think about how high you're going when you're vocalizing. As soon as I relaxed and didn't think about how high I was singing, my high notes improved. One specific exercise that might help you with the Bb (that's what it is) is actually on the ASU recording. During Heartbreak Hotel, you'll hear an ensemble member belt/wailing a G and then a Bb. Try singing along with that- for some reason the placement on that G makes the Bb feel very natural and actually pretty comfortable.

Posted: 11/20/10 at 7:14pm

Thanks for the tip. I've always had trouble with placement, but I just attempted to sing up the scale placing the sound towards the back of my head (like you recommended) and I got up to an A, which is only a half-step short of the Bb, however it was a little weak and "breathy". I'll play with it and see what I can do. Thanks again.

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 11/22/10 at 11:31pm

I'm not familiar with the song at all, but if all else fails, could you just switch to falsetto? I don't know how that would work in context of the song, but it seems like the best option if you really can't hit the note.