My First Musical . . .sort of
My First Musical . . .sort of
diva007
Stand-by Joined: 10/22/04
#0My First Musical . . .sort of
Posted: 7/28/05 at 10:48amI just got the lead in a musical. I haven't been in a musical for almost 10 years, and then again I was always in the ensemble without so much as even a solo line. I don't even read music, I sing by ear. How can I approach this without seeming unprofessional? Do I tell them I sing by ear? How can I get over my stagefright?
#1re: My First Musical . . .sort of
Posted: 7/28/05 at 11:02am
I don't read music either, diva. My advice to you would be this: Learn your lines and music ASAP and always bring a tape recorder to rehearsal. I'm not sure how long you will be rehearsing, but if you have the time, I would also find a friend who plays to pick out your notes for you and start learning your parts as well. And don't be one of those actors who can't memorize till they're blocked. That's nonsense. Good luck!
What are you doing and where btw?
nodaybut2day2007
Featured Actor Joined: 5/29/05
#2re: My First Musical . . .sort of
Posted: 7/28/05 at 11:04amI also sing by ear, and I always try to get the recording from our directors, because usually there is one. So you can try that. Good luck.
diva007
Stand-by Joined: 10/22/04
#5re: My First Musical . . .sort of
Posted: 7/28/05 at 11:43am
Oh yay! I love that show--saw it a LONG time ago and I had a blast! The woman who played the "Gloria" scientist and Ariel were great! Hope you have a great time!
poppy isabella
Swing Joined: 7/26/05
#6re: My First Musical . . .sort of
Posted: 7/28/05 at 12:51pm
Diva007--I'm so glad you're asking this!
I'm a musical director and I know that it is just a major part of the job working in most theatres that some of the actors won't read music. What's frustrating to me is when those actors don't even attempt to look at the actual music. Like, they just say "These notes mean nothing to me, it's another language, I'll just listen to everyone else and copy them."
Besides the priceless suggestions already posted here like bringing a tape recorder and memorizing as soon as possible, I think it is also quite useful to devote like half an hour to learning the very basics of reading a melody line. Your MD or accompanist would probably love to spend that time with you, showing you how to follow along at least to the point of seeing when the notes go up or down on the staff, seeing what it looks like on paper when it's unison or harmony singing...that kind of stuff.
love meagan
Updated On: 7/28/05 at 12:51 PM
poppy isabella
Swing Joined: 7/26/05
#7re: My First Musical . . .sort of
Posted: 7/28/05 at 2:15pm
another thought...
Also, I have a comment on what someone said earlier about listening to the recording... If you are learning a piece "by ear" I would strongly recommend asking your musical director first what version of the show she/he would like you to listen to, if even at all. Sometimes, *gasp*, cast recordings can be rotten and/or dangerous styles of singing that your director would not like you to emulate.
love meagan
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