What is a good ballad from a musical for a tenor?

I'm a second Tenor and I need help learning how to become a first tenor.?

• I'm in an original adaptation of Aladdin at Junior University Musical Theater. In the show there is a worshiper who sings this first tenor solo... I am not a first tenor, I'm a second tenor, there is no way I can hit those high notes. So anyways, they were having auditions for the Worshiper, and I don't know why I auditioned for that part, but I did. When I got the music, I almost fainted because there was no way that I was going to be able to hit those high notes..So when I was lined up with everyone else I was pretty nervous. When I got up there to sing the song I nailed it, and got the part. But I've never been able to hit those notes again, and now I'm pretty nervous b/c we have rehearsal for my solo tomorrow night. What should I do to bring out this hidden higher-range not that I didn't know I had?

• Answer:

  Hey dude, congrats on the solo! Based on what you have said, these are my OPINIONS of what is happening. Sometimes, it moments such as your audition, we, as singers, experience an extra burst of energy and drive, causing us to be able to do more than we think we can. With that said, this may have been what helped you to hit the high note. During your practice time, you may have had problems because you were just practicing with no real motivation. Are you studying voice? If not, I will tell you this. Make sure you are breathing low. What this means is this- do not allow your upper body to move. You want to feel your stomach push out AND feel your rib cage expand. You want to experience expansion all the way around. A lot of voice teachers always say to "get fat", and that is correct, but you also want to feel that expansion more than in just your stomach. This will not happen over night. It will take practice, but I promise that you will accomplish it with practice! Also, when inhaling, do it as if you were just beginning to yawn. Look in the mirror and put your mouth in that position. It should look like you were saying the word "ah". First time you try this, do it very dramatically and overly drop your jaw. Then pull back and make it more subtle. When you breathe like this, it helps to lift the soft palate, which is very important in singing. Also, it tends to help achieve a deeper breath. You may have heard this, too- lifting your eyebrows does help! Do that on those high notes. A couple other little tips. 1: Smile. Yes, lifting your cheeks will help 2: sing with your eyes. Emoting the piece not only keeps the audiences attention, but it brings out the text more and sometimes it even helps with the notes. A lot of singing has to do with acting, too. 3: EAT! Singing on an empty stomach is hard because the breathing becomes more difficult if our stomachs are growling. You don't want to eat five steaks and then go perform, but don't not eat before you sing. I would say eat a good meal about two hours before your call time, and bring light snacks with you to the show. No dairy, obviously. Maybe some crackers or an apple. Remember water as well. I hope this helped. If you have any questions, feel free to send me an e-mail: [email protected]. That is my school e-mail and I check it often. I hope the solo goes well, man! Take care and GOOD LUCK!! -Cameron :)