Preparing an exam with very little time

[naman]

Hi everybody,

i am (was) a classical guitar player, but i had to stop because of serious wrist problems.

So, 1 week ago I decided not to give up and start taking singing lessons. I'll try to be admitted to the conservatory where i used to study guitar.
Time for preparing the exam is so short (i have 2 months, no more), but i must try anyway.

I am 21, i have already sang in the conservatory's choir, but nothing too serious.
I have a very low voice... something like D2-B3, and with some difficulties i can get to B1-D4.
Now i need to find something to sing for the exam... i don't have a vast knowledge of the reportoire, so i'm asking for suggestions.

I LOVE Handel's arias... "leave me loathsome light" is marevellous, also "fra l'ombre e gli orrori" is a great one, but they look way too hard for me!
I thought about "o isis und osiris", which has a nice vocal range from F to C, that is quite good for me, and doesn't seem too hard... while i don't like Osmin's aria, which is too "happy" for my voice and taste.
Also, I don't like very much italian opera from the 19/20th century (like Verdi's arias for bass)
Oh, and i know nothing about chamber works.. maybe there's something good for me in this repertoire?

Well, for the moment that's all... all suggestions (of any kind) will be highly appreciated!

[zamyrabyrd]

Hi there, if you have two months, you might consider getting someone to help you out. If you love Handelian arias, you could try the omnipresent Ombra Mai Fu, although it has some difficult sustained notes. One reason to have someone hear you, is to choose the right key. You may feel that you are a bass because of having low notes but you might be a baritone with a yet undeveloped higher area. So you don't need to emphasize the lower tessitura right now and rather sing something in the middle of your range.

As for languages, it is better to stick to those you know best. You could try "In Diesen Heil'gen Halle" from the Magic Flute, not too long and not a lot of words to master. There are also the "Arie Antiche from the 17th and 18th Century" published by Schirmer and I think in another format by Ricordi.  This will most likely be the textbook if you get into the vocal department. Youtube is a good resource for comparing performances even if you have a good coach.  Good luck, ZB

[Leon]

Hi everybody,

i am (was) a classical guitar player, but i had to stop because of serious wrist problems.

So, 1 week ago I decided not to give up and start taking singing lessons. I'll try to be admitted to the conservatory where i used to study guitar.
Time for preparing the exam is so short (i have 2 months, no more), but i must try anyway.

I am 21, i have already sang in the conservatory's choir, but nothing too serious.
I have a very low voice... something like D2-B3, and with some difficulties i can get to B1-D4.
Now i need to find something to sing for the exam... i don't have a vast knowledge of the reportoire, so i'm asking for suggestions.

I LOVE Handel's arias... "leave me loathsome light" is marevellous, also "fra l'ombre e gli orrori" is a great one, but they look way too hard for me!
I thought about "o isis und osiris", which has a nice vocal range from F to C, that is quite good for me, and doesn't seem too hard... while i don't like Osmin's aria, which is too "happy" for my voice and taste.
Also, I don't like very much italian opera from the 19/20th century (like Verdi's arias for bass)
Oh, and i know nothing about chamber works.. maybe there's something good for me in this repertoire?

Well, for the moment that's all... all suggestions (of any kind) will be highly appreciated!

First, do not despair.  Lorraine Hunt had to switch from playing the oboe to voice mid-career and is considered one of the best singers ever.

Good luck.

[naman]

Thanks for your suggestions and support! Ombra mai fu is great but way too high... i'll keep you updated!

Hope to be another Lorraine Hunt

[zamyrabyrd]

Thanks for your suggestions and support! Ombra mai fu is great but way too high... i'll keep you updated!

Hi, Ombra Mai Fu can be sung in any key. Just buy or download songs and arias suitable for your voice type. Baroque arias even if operatic can usually be transposed. Those that have been written for a certain voice  color or range don't usually lend themselves to be sung by a different type. Sometimes I am tempted to transpose tenor arias for baritones since they are so nice and students would like to sing them.
ZB