Baritone (and BASS) showtunes

[BlueWizard]

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?)

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

[Sumofallthings]

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

[bronxboundexpress]

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

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

[sean martin]

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?

[Coondiggitydogg]

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

[FinnFanatic]

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?

[BlueWizard]

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.

[FinnFanatic]

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

Thanks BlueWizard

[jonartdesigns]

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

[Coondiggitydogg]

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

[Coondiggitydogg]

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

[Plum]

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.

[BlueWizard]

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?

[BillyLawlor]

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.

[chauvelin128]

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...)

[BlueWizard]

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.

[broadwayguy2]

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.

[BlueWizard]

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.

[broadwayguy2]

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

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

[jayem1968]

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

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

[broadwayguy2]

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

oh lawd.. LOL.

[MusicMan]

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

[Paul LW]

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

[BlueWizard]

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

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

[MusicMan]

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

Old Man River.