musical theatre singing post

[MrJ]

I know I did one of these recently but I'm a singer trying to successfully make the transition from female actor/singer to male actor/singer. I've been on T for 2 years and 4 months. I made the actor transition last year, had my first male role, and my second male role this summer. No special male costumes, sadly, both times I've been playing a university student.

But *musical* theatre is my real love and I haven't yet landed a male singing role. To be fair, I haven't had as many opportunities to audition for a musical. Word was, I was so close to being cast in last February's musical at my university, but I lost it to someone else who had a better falsetto. Apparently the director fought for me though. It's just that falsetto was so important to that particular musical (Spring Awakening).

Well this year they're doing Fiddler On The Roof, which I know very little about but will research, but I do think that even if I can't get a solo role, there's an ensemble.

This is from the musical Songs For A New World, and it's been my goal to record it as a guy for 2 years. Do you hear guy? I still hear girl whenever I hear myself, except maybe when I'm singing low G or below. This is the most recent recording of my voice, recorded this afternoon.

https://soundcloud.com/rex1983/she-cries-rex-jackson-aug-10

I think from 3:00 on is the most interesting part. My favourite is 3:55-4:00, where I just kind of give 'er. Really bad for my voice though.



For comparison, I recorded the same song when I was 3 weeks on T.

https://soundcloud.com/rex1983/she-cries-rex-jackson-apr-22

Even 3 weeks in, you can hear I'm losing the fine control I had trained to have over my voice. Pretty much from a month after starting T I started losing control over my singing voice and it just lacked the finesse I wanted it to have. It felt like puberty all over again.

Anyway, thoughts are welcome.

[SaveMeJeebus]

Big difference between the two. I have said before that you sound like a feminine flamboyant fabulous guy xD I'm jealous with your singing voice, that's for sure!

[CursedFireDean]

sadly my phone is being stupid and won't play the audio, so I'll just say good luck!

[MrJ]

CursedFireDean - thanks.

SaveMeJeebus - I have no problems with the face that I sound like a feminine flamboyant fabulous guy. There always seems to be a role for that voice type... I just hope I can play straight, too. Especially considering that while I'm still questioning my sexual orientation, I think I'm straight. I'm glad you hear guy though. Thanks.

[spacerace]

You sound pretty young (and/or 'flamboyant'), but also distinctly male

[Kreuzfidel]

I agree with the others - there are roles for you with that kind of voice, but no doubt it will continue to change and who knows where you will end up on the scale.

I am also a Musical Theatre performer.  I did a professional production of Jesus Christ Superstar (pre-T, in the ensemble) - I have also dreamed of landing a male role in a major musical, but like you - I have lost so much control of my singing voice that it seems hopeless sometimes.

I was a professionally trained singer before starting T.  I knew that being on the hormone would change my voice and I knew that there was a possibility that I would never sing again.  But now that my voice seems to be settling in the baritone range, I have started trying to sing again with mixed results.

My dream role is Javert in Les Miserables.  There are a great deal of opportunities for a Musical Theatre actor here in Australia, but I don't know when I will have the confidence and skills again to attempt an audition.

Very few people are born spectacular singers - training plays a massive role in a well-disciplined voice.  Training is always going to be the key in re-developing your singing abilities - it will take time and patience and, in some ways, it will be a matter of starting over - even though that may seem painful.

I admire you for managing a falsetto - mine sounds horrific.  My range has diminished by two octaves.