Choosing Your Vocal "Box"

Every singer fits a box or character type better than other roles.  Some 'types' are based on physical attributes, others on special skills like comedic timing or dramatic ability, and finally, some roles are based on vocal 'type'.  Since this is a blog about singing, I'm going to focus on the singing 'types' and how you can let these categories guide your audition choices.

Before musicals, operas dominated music halls around the world.  Because opera was so vocally demanding, voice teachers and opera impresarios came up with vocal categories for opera singers to guide their role and audition choices.  These boxes were called "Fachs," which in German literally means 'compartment.'  These "fachs" helped singers specialize in music that not only suited their vocal abilities but also increased their chances of having a longer, healthier career by singing roles they were best suited for.  While vocal range is the primary driver in determining your Fach - soprano vs. mezzo-soprano (alto) etc... - subcategories within Fach are driven primarily by volume and vocal color.  For example, two sopranos might have similar vocal ranges but very different vocal qualities, allowing those sopranos to tailor their audition choices to roles they were best suited for. 

These Fachs are less important for musicals, primarily because the vocal demands for most musicals are less strenuous than a typical opera.  Musicals also give more weight in casting to physical appearances than operas.  That being said, vocal type DOES matter for musicals as a role's personality may heavily influence which singer type is preferred.   Here are some things to consider:

1) Am I the right age for this role?  While makeup can do wonders, the reality is that casting directors only have so much imagination.  If you are twenty years old, trying out for a 'grandma' role probably won't work out!

2) Where does the role sit vocally?  The Italian word for this is 'tessitura,' and it simply means where a majority of the pitches are for a role.  While well-trained singers can typically sing most roles in a musical, it is important to see where the pitches tend to lie.  As an example, I am a baritone who can comfortably sing tenor roles in musicals.  There is a big exception to that rule, however; while I may be able to sing most tenor roles, a few can stay on high notes for a sustained period of time that would make my life difficult!

3) What sort of vocal color do I have as a singer, and does it enhance or detract from a character's dramatic purpose?  For instance, a bright and softer soprano will probably be better suited for romantic and comedic leads, whereas a more powerful and darker soprano will be better for dramatic or villain roles.

4) How much does a character sing?  If the character sings a lot, guess what!  you probably need to have a very well-trained voice with a range very close to the recommended type.  On the other hand, if a role has less singing or requires a 'character' voice for singing, you can probably stretch the rules for that role and not worry so much about the vocal 'Fach."

DWS