Baritone (and BASS) showtunes

#1

Baritone (and BASS) showtunes

Posted: 7/22/04 at 2:30pm

I'm a baritone, and I'm always frustrated that most sheet music is transposed for tenors, as are most musical parts. I can't even sing along with male solos on cast recordings!

So are there any great baritone-written showtunes? (Are the 'Man of la Mancha' ones baritone?)

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BlueWizard's blog: The Rambling Corner HEDWIG: "The road is my home. In reflecting upon the people whom I have come upon in my travels, I cannot help but think of the people who have come upon me."

Updated On: 7/22/04 at 02:30 PM

#2

re: Baritone showtunes

Posted: 7/22/04 at 2:32pm

Man of La Mancha are baritone songs.

Let Me Drown- The Wild Party
Those Were The Good Old Days- Damn Yankees

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BSoBW2: I punched Sondheim in the face after I saw Wicked and said, "Why couldn't you write like that!?"

#3

re: Baritone showtunes

Posted: 7/22/04 at 2:34pm

Tell My Father(THE CIVIL WAR)
Joanna(SWEENY SCHMODD)

#4

re: Baritone showtunes

Posted: 7/22/04 at 3:10pm

I forget the character's name, but isn't Annie Oakley's love interest in AGYG a baritone?

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"That duck was a sexual toy, and it was on display!" -- an unknown Nashville town leader

#5

re: Baritone showtunes

Posted: 7/22/04 at 3:12pm

Molasses to rum to slaves-1776
Gaston-Beauty and the Beast
I'll know-Guys and Dolls
Luck be a Lady-Guys and Dolls
The Kite- Good man Charlie Brown
Man of La Mancha- "
The Impossible Dream- Man of LaMancha

#6

re: Baritone showtunes

Posted: 7/22/04 at 3:15pm

Is there a specific range that classifies a baritone from a tenor? Like up to a certain note?

#7

re: Baritone showtunes

Posted: 7/22/04 at 3:16pm

I think up to a D is bass/baritone. Or at least, singing E's and F's are a stretch for me.

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BlueWizard's blog: The Rambling Corner HEDWIG: "The road is my home. In reflecting upon the people whom I have come upon in my travels, I cannot help but think of the people who have come upon me."

#8

re: Baritone showtunes

Posted: 7/22/04 at 3:18pm

Thanks BlueWizard

#9

re: Baritone showtunes

Posted: 7/22/04 at 3:28pm

the following are in a baritone capable range (i am technically one so i'm going with the ones in my range)

NYC- Annie
Those were the Good Old Days and Two Lost Souls- Damn Yankees
Luck be a Lady- Guys and Dolls
Anything you can do..-AGYG
Gaston and the Beast's parts in- B&tB
Billy flynn- Chicago
Julian Marsh- 42nd Street
Guido Contini- Nine

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"Grease," the fourth revival of the season, is the worst show in the history of theater and represents an unparalleled assault on Western civilization and its values. - Michael Reidel

#10

re: Baritone showtunes

Posted: 7/22/04 at 3:38pm

MZy voice teacher has me working on the G. I find having a G is necessary cause it is used often and i find the higher a not ei get the better the next highest will sound. if that makes sense at all. and here are more songs

Try to remember-Fantastiks
Edelweiss-SOM
Oklahoma-"
Soon it's gonna rain-fantastiks
Get me to the church..-My Fair lady

there are some more for u

#11

re: Baritone showtunes

Posted: 7/22/04 at 3:39pm

this might sound mainstream but buy the musical theater song books there are like 4 editions right now. A LOT of songs that can last you a lifetime

#12

re: Baritone showtunes

Posted: 7/22/04 at 3:39pm

I always thought some of those were a bit high for baritones- more like baritenor or something. Eh, whatever.

#13

re: Baritone showtunes

Posted: 7/22/04 at 3:43pm

Yeah, I'm more of a lower-range baritone -- didn't they use to call us "Bass" back in the old days? Or are those reserved for the really low voices?

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BlueWizard's blog: The Rambling Corner HEDWIG: "The road is my home. In reflecting upon the people whom I have come upon in my travels, I cannot help but think of the people who have come upon me."

#14

re: Baritone showtunes

Posted: 7/22/04 at 4:29pm

One of the best Baritone showtunes I know is "Lonely Room" from Oklahoma. Wonderful song--lets you show off your voice and acting talent.

#15

re: Baritone showtunes

Posted: 7/22/04 at 4:40pm

How about "Stars" from Les Miserables? Also, I've seen baritones sing songs that were written for women to sing...specifically "Unexpected Song" and "Tell Me on a Sunday." They both seem to fit well in a baritone range. (I think Unexpected Song has a high g, but you can take it down if need be...)

#16

re: Baritone showtunes

Posted: 7/22/04 at 4:50pm

How about "Stars" from Les Miserables?

You know, I've actually performed "Stars," but the sheet music was written for tenor, and I had to get it transcribed.

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BlueWizard's blog: The Rambling Corner HEDWIG: "The road is my home. In reflecting upon the people whom I have come upon in my travels, I cannot help but think of the people who have come upon me."

#17

re: Baritone showtunes

Posted: 7/22/04 at 4:56pm

AVOID "soliloquy" from Carousel unless they ASK you to sing it at an audition. It is FAR too overdone.

#18

re: Baritone showtunes

Posted: 7/22/04 at 4:57pm

Oh, this isn't for an audition (I'm not in the industry). This is for me bursting into song at a party with a piano.

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BlueWizard's blog: The Rambling Corner HEDWIG: "The road is my home. In reflecting upon the people whom I have come upon in my travels, I cannot help but think of the people who have come upon me."

#19

re: Baritone showtunes

Posted: 7/22/04 at 4:59pm

That is just ageneral piece or advise about that song. LOL.

#20

re: Baritone showtunes

Posted: 7/22/04 at 5:11pm

Whenever I think of a baritone I think of Raitt singing My Boy Bill from Oklahoma.

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Everybody goes down well with beer.

#21

re: Baritone showtunes

Posted: 7/22/04 at 5:12pm

oh lawd.. LOL.

#22

re: Baritone showtunes

Posted: 7/22/04 at 5:13pm

IF EVER I WOULD LEAVE YOU (Camelot/Lerner and Loewe)

NIGHT SONG (Golden Boy/Strouse and Adams)

KISS HER NOW (Dear World/Jerry Herman)

JOEY, JOEY, JOEY (The Most Happy Fella/Frank Loesser)

I DON'T REMEMBER YOU (The Happy Time/Kander and Ebb)

A QUIET GIRL (Wonderful Town/Bernstein, Comden and Green)


All of the above are published in your range, BlueWizard, are eminently actable and terrific songs to boot.


You may also want to check out I'LL NEVER SAY NO (The Unsinkable Molly Brown/Willson) which is a baritone staple but might be a bit rangy for you.

Updated On: 7/22/04 at 05:13 PM

#23

re: Baritone showtunes

Posted: 7/22/04 at 5:25pm

Hey..
Yeah...I was going to say then you probably aren't a baritone if D's are a stretch..

The "standard" ranges for Basses go up to a C usually and Baritones to a comfortable F

There are lots and lots of songs for Baritones. Just look.

Many shows before mid 1960's have lots of Baritone songs in them.

"Lonely Room" is not a baritone song. It is a bass song.

Updated On: 7/22/04 at 05:25 PM

#24

re: Baritone showtunes

Posted: 7/22/04 at 6:38pm

LOL, in that case, what are good showtunes for bass?

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BlueWizard's blog: The Rambling Corner HEDWIG: "The road is my home. In reflecting upon the people whom I have come upon in my travels, I cannot help but think of the people who have come upon me."

#25

re: Baritone showtunes

Posted: 7/22/04 at 6:58pm

Old Man River.