Lord of the Rings Episode 1

Working with a new client today.

He has a Lord of the Rings audition in a week or so and came to brush up on his singing technique and to ask about repertoire. Although he already has a song that he was comfortable with, the first task is to find a suitable second song, both for him and for the casting. An experienced actor but not an experienced singer, it's important to find a piece that was fairly easy to learn and also appropriate for the task in hand.

I wanted something folky yet powerful - he is a physical actor and needs to connect emotionally with the text. I suggested the song Brother, My Brother from the opening of the show The Civil War, by Frank Wildhorn. Wildhorn has a knack of writing simple, strong ballads with a powerful message.

If you've read the Successful Singing Auditions book you will know that Gillyanne and I use the "Learn a song in 15 minutes" routine. This works even for non-reading actors (although it might add another 5 minutes onto the time as I demonstrate the rhythm of each phrase). It is such a useful process, and actors often feel that spending this focussed time at the beginning of the learning process helps them to feel more confident in both the song and their own ability.

In Brother, My Brother there are a few small phrases that are slightly awkward, but there is nothing untoward, and it is fairly easy to latch onto the musical patterns that occur. It is quite extraordinary watching an actor move from struggling to understanding the concept and shape of a song in a few minutes.

This client is sensible - he knows that he can practise at home, but has also booked an extra session with me in a couple of days' time.


Visit http://www.vocalprocess.co.uk for the latest downloads:
the Vocal Process eZINE (free electronic magazine)
86 things you never hear a singer say (free ebook)
Looking at a Voice (endoscopy video download)
Constriction and Release (opening the throat on video - the latest endoscopy video download)

Vocal Process is running two courses in October:
Vocal Anatomy for Voice Professionals with Dr Meribeth (Bunch) Dayme
Singing and the Actor Training with Gillyanne Kayes and Jeremy Fisher