Broadway Singers who strain too much or force too much — Page 3

Al, most of the posters who have responded to the question of who strains when singing have been civil. You seem to take this all terribly personally when it's just an opinion poll - whether you know it or not, singing correctly is a science as well as an art and you seem to know nothing about either. Those who do have responded in a knowledgeable manner and have kept the rabid fan aspect out of it. May I suggest you do the same?

Actually, I read an interview with several sound designers who said that teh main reason for such loud amplifation in many shows is the automation in the set pieces and lighting equipment. they have to make the volume a certain level to cover the sounds of some of the motors and cooling fans needed for the automated effects.
although, there are some shows were the loud sound is due to the style of the show ala RENT.

Al Dente,

One question? I am confused....please enlighten me....what is so stupid about proper vocal technique? What is stupid about learning to project one's voice if you are a singer? Your post to seabyrd baffled me, as you bunched a lot of other people, who you did not specify, by the way, as stupid, based on the criteria that they have discussed proper vocal technique and the importance of projecting.

And trust me, no offense, a lot of performers can be wrong in the way they perform, and in the usage of their technique or lack thereof. Whoever used the Nathan Lane example, used an excellent example. For the Producers, Nathan had been doing a LOT of screaming at the top of his voice (literally), and singing way beyond his means vocally. He even admitted this. And this was part of the reason why he left the Producers, so he felt, prematurely.

So to make a long story short, PROPER technique is important. It is not something stupid, or it is not a way to throw a dig at a performer when discussing it either. It is a legitimate part of discussing, or reviewing, or critiqueing (sp.?) a performance.

I hope you didn't take any offense to this post, as I was not trying to start an arguement. Just trying to clarify.


Cheers,
The Balladeer

---

Bernedette(sp): In my opinion, has a bad voice, but thats not what makes her wonderfull, I hate her voice but love her performance, the whole package is what matters. If a person is straining their voice so be it. But there comes a time when one either has to leave the role, or learn how to do it right. Nathan is a great example but an even better one is Adam Pascal. He screamed his way through Roger killing his voice, and had to be asked to leave the show because he was getting bad off. Yet to fix this he went out and got himself some training, as you can tell by the fact that he sounds much better in AIDA. IMO

STEVOS

---

My point exactly. You want me to dignify you(seabyrd, theballadeer) with a response on a board that's overpopulated with nitwits who will never even be fortunate enough to be in the chorus of an *off* bway show? (yes, I'm aware that was a run-on sentence). WHEN was Adam Pascal asked to leave Rent? WHY would anyone playing a Broadway house be asked to sing WITHOUT a mic? All the lessons in the world are not going to make you a great singer, if you don't have the talent for it to begin with. And if you're all such seasoned pro's, how do you have time to be here? Shouldn't you be out performing in some cavern, without a mic?

Al Dente,

I wasn't trying to start an arguement with you, but I must tell you, you are very immature and YOU are the one who doesn't know what he/she/it's talking about. You fly off the handle when people are trying to be civil to you, and you blatently insult others for no apparant reason. Everyone on this thread for the most part discussed the topic in a civil manner. Not everyone agreed with each other, but were able to support their arguements intelligently. You have yet to do so. Here you come and start dishing the insults. You need to learn to listen and respect others' opinions, before you start being rude and trying, (note: trying is the operative word), to insult others. Grow up.

You talk about "tweens" and associate them with all this negative, stereotypical behavior, but YOU are the main offender when it comes to this. The way you respond to others displays juvenile behavior and a juvenile mentality. You must be a miserable person.

Finally, I will end my discussion with YOU on this topic, by saying this: I am not criticizing anyone's performance because I envy them, or feel that I am better than them, or to be rude. People are entitled to their opinions. Not once have I gratuitiously bashed a performer because I felt they "didn't sound good" or their "vocal technique made them sound bad" I happen to be a fan of Bernadette, and others who DO strain...even Nathan Lane, but did you see me viciously attack Stevos when he said that Bernadette's voice was not very pleasing to him? No. He has a differing opinion, and that's fine. No need to call him on it, or try to insult him because of that. He's human, and has formed his own opinion.

Now, I am going to ignore you, as I have spent too much time argueing with someone as silly and petty as you are. And, for the record, I do have a life, and I have performed, quite a lot. And I wouldn't be able to comment on anything If I haven't and didn't know SOMETHING about this topic. I admit, there is always more to learn, and no one person knows everything, but I am pretty sure I know a hell of a lot more than you do, and it is quite evident in your ignorant posts. Have a nice day.


Cheers,
The Balladeer

---

Here's a well-earned standing O for YOU, Balladeer. Your responses have been right on the mark!

John, I disagree that it creates a more polished sound. The biggest reason we have amplification as due to the orchestrations and style of music being used now, using as you mentioned, amplified instruments. Due to that, to create a 'balance', singers muct be mic'd. But regardless, micing distorts the natural colors and subtleties of the voice. The best scenario would be to have acoustical instruments and unmic'd voices from trained performers who know how to use them in theatres that have strong acoustics (another lost art form) So to me, mic's are a necessary evil in today's theatre. Unless composers begin to write and demand acoustical orchestration.

Al Dente, why do even post here?? You have mad it quite clear numerous times that in your own dilusional world, you think you are miles above anything this board has to offer, so why do you continue to post here?

Oh geez...look what I've started!

---

No, Al Dente, I am not starting with you, getting an attitude or anything. I am not being men or anything. I am being genuine. You felt the need to start imsultimng me when you came here and you have showeed 'restraint', but you freguently provide commentary on how you are 'above' everyone on this board. Why should you, or the rest of your "gang:, spend time around peopel that you feel you are above. That is just a genuine question. I know that I don't like spendimng time with people I consider to be idiot because I think it is a waste o my time.

I agree 100% with JohnPopa. At least in every theatre production I have ever been in, or have been associated with, the sound technitions are always trying to find that perfect blend. The sound crew's primary job is to balance the orchestra within itself, balance the vocals onstage with the orchestra, and balance the cast within itself. That is why when one person's mic goes out, there is mass chaos in the sound dept to get it fixed. It it not because they can't be heard or such; it is because that ruins the sound design. That is why it is called sound design and not amplification. Sound is just like lights in the theatre. The Lighting Director doesn't just turn on the lights. It is a set pattern to find the "perfect" blend of colors on the stage. The sound is to find the "perfect" blend of sounds. I've been sound designer for many productions and that is what I do; Work hand in hand with the music director to acheive perfect sound quality. Trust me it is a lot harder to balance the music without microphones and pick-ups. Balance is the first fundamental to music.

And Bernadette NO LONGER has a "small" voice. She has really expanded her voice. Some of us had the chance to see her in her earlier days when her voice was not as big. So I want to say that she DID have a "small" voice. (At one time)