Re: Kurt Hummel Snark & Bark Thread--Part 7

[brisallie]

Yes, Kevin is a baritone and Darren is a low tenor. I put up Kevin with Matt and Chris because Kevin has an amazing vocal range and can sing tenor suitable songs as well.
I didn't put Darren with the 'real' tenors because he has a very limited vocal range and can't reach the high tenor notes (nor the low baritone notes).
BTW: there is an interview in which Darren talks about the flaws in his voice having a medical cause. If I have time later today I will post about it.

Thanks for your explanation. And in the case of Kevin, is he able to reach those suitable tenor notes, is because he strenght more his vocals? Is he a naturally baritenor (once I heard that term) or because he's been training?

And as regards Darren's medical condition, once a friend told me she went from being a soprano to mezzo because she had a problem in her vocal chords, is that possible? I'm sorry if I'm asking so much technical things.

@ColdFlame96,I've seen several best male singers list from gleeks and usually Cory isn't in one of them and I think people should give him some credit, and realize this guys has improved a lot since season one.

[AnneNeville]

Yes, Kevin is a baritone and Darren is a low tenor. I put up Kevin with Matt and Chris because Kevin has an amazing vocal range and can sing tenor suitable songs as well.
I didn't put Darren with the 'real' tenors because he has a very limited vocal range and can't reach the high tenor notes (nor the low baritone notes).
BTW: there is an interview in which Darren talks about the flaws in his voice having a medical cause. If I have time later today I will post about it.

Thanks for your explanation. And in the case of Kevin, is he able to reach those suitable tenor notes, is because he strenght more his vocals? Is he a naturally baritenor (once I heard that term) or because he's been training?

And as regards Darren's medical condition, once a friend told me she went from being a soprano to mezzo because she had a problem in her vocal chords, is that possible? I'm sorry if I'm asking so much technical things.

@ColdFlame96,I've seen several best male singers list from gleeks and usually Cory isn't in one of them and I think people should give him some credit, and realize this guys has improved a lot since season one.

Cory has improved since Season One, but they don't have him sing much now.

I think the condition Darren mentioned was not having certain folds in his vocal chords/throat, meaning that he cannot have vibrato and shouldn't overuse his voice for fear of permanent damage?

[ColdFlame96]

Yes, Kevin is a baritone and Darren is a low tenor. I put up Kevin with Matt and Chris because Kevin has an amazing vocal range and can sing tenor suitable songs as well.
I didn't put Darren with the 'real' tenors because he has a very limited vocal range and can't reach the high tenor notes (nor the low baritone notes).
BTW: there is an interview in which Darren talks about the flaws in his voice having a medical cause. If I have time later today I will post about it.

Thanks for your explanation. And in the case of Kevin, is he able to reach those suitable tenor notes, is because he strenght more his vocals? Is he a naturally baritenor (once I heard that term) or because he's been training?

And as regards Darren's medical condition, once a friend told me she went from being a soprano to mezzo because she had a problem in her vocal chords, is that possible? I'm sorry if I'm asking so much technical things.

@ColdFlame96,I've seen several best male singers list from gleeks and usually Cory isn't in one of them and I think people should give him some credit, and realize this guys has improved a lot since season one.

Cory has improved since Season One, but they don't have him sing much now.

I think the condition Darren mentioned was not having certain folds in his vocal chords/throat, meaning that he cannot have vibrato and shouldn't overuse his voice for fear of permanent damage?

If that's the case, the writers should definitely cut back on the Blarren solos. I may not like Darren that much, but I wouldn't want him to lose his voice that he's had his entire life. That would suck.

[AnneNeville]

Yes, Kevin is a baritone and Darren is a low tenor. I put up Kevin with Matt and Chris because Kevin has an amazing vocal range and can sing tenor suitable songs as well.
I didn't put Darren with the 'real' tenors because he has a very limited vocal range and can't reach the high tenor notes (nor the low baritone notes).
BTW: there is an interview in which Darren talks about the flaws in his voice having a medical cause. If I have time later today I will post about it.

Thanks for your explanation. And in the case of Kevin, is he able to reach those suitable tenor notes, is because he strenght more his vocals? Is he a naturally baritenor (once I heard that term) or because he's been training?

And as regards Darren's medical condition, once a friend told me she went from being a soprano to mezzo because she had a problem in her vocal chords, is that possible? I'm sorry if I'm asking so much technical things.

@ColdFlame96,I've seen several best male singers list from gleeks and usually Cory isn't in one of them and I think people should give him some credit, and realize this guys has improved a lot since season one.

Cory has improved since Season One, but they don't have him sing much now.

I think the condition Darren mentioned was not having certain folds in his vocal chords/throat, meaning that he cannot have vibrato and shouldn't overuse his voice for fear of permanent damage?

If that's the case, the writers should definitely cut back on the Blarren solos. I may not like Darren that much, but I wouldn't want him to lose his voice that he's had his entire life. That would suck.

I don't think that Glee cares much about the actors' health and well-being.

[Lottie2303]

It sounds like a PR device to explain is lesser voice during S4. People complained and now he is doing damage control.

In case he really has medical problems, they need to cut back his songs. Considering that the GA seems to hate all the Blee focus, it would only be an advantage for the show and Darren. Win/Win.

[AnneNeville]

It sounds like a PR device to explain is lesser voice during S4. People complained and now he is doing damage control.

In case he really has medical problems, they need to cut back his songs. Considering that the GA seems to hate all the Blee focus, it would only be an advantage for the show and Darren. Win/Win.

I don't know . . . I think there's a good chance he's telling the truth about his voice. He wasn't a musical theatre major, was he? He was a drama major.

[Jellyrolls]

If that's the case, the writers should definitely cut back on the Blarren solos. I may not like Darren that much, but I wouldn't want him to lose his voice that he's had his entire life. That would suck.

Marie can correct me if I'm wrong, but I would think that the studio performances wouldn't be as big of a tax on his voice if the songs are within his range, and he doesn't have to stretch.

It's stuff like his tour where he would be more likely to damage his voice permanently--since he'll be singing a lot more, and probably singing louder than he needs to sing over the screaming Blainers.

[AnneNeville]

If that's the case, the writers should definitely cut back on the Blarren solos. I may not like Darren that much, but I wouldn't want him to lose his voice that he's had his entire life. That would suck.

Marie can correct me if I'm wrong, but I would think that the studio performances wouldn't be as big of a tax on his voice if the songs are within his range, and he doesn't have to stretch.

It's stuff like his tour where he would be more likely to damage his voice permanently--since he'll be singing a lot more, and probably singing louder than he needs to sing over the screaming Blainers.

I am sure Marie will give us the right information, but I don't think that the songs Blaine's been given HAVE been in his range . . . have they?

I suspect whatever he sings on tour will be what he actually can sing comfortably, and he'll be really, really well mic'd. And the screaming fans won't care if they can't hear, because they came to watch.

[ColdFlame96]

If that's the case, the writers should definitely cut back on the Blarren solos. I may not like Darren that much, but I wouldn't want him to lose his voice that he's had his entire life. That would suck.

Marie can correct me if I'm wrong, but I would think that the studio performances wouldn't be as big of a tax on his voice if the songs are within his range, and he doesn't have to stretch.

It's stuff like his tour where he would be more likely to damage his voice permanently--since he'll be singing a lot more, and probably singing louder than he needs to sing over the screaming Blainers.

I am sure Marie will give us the right information, but I don't think that the songs Blaine's been given HAVE been in his range . . . have they?

I suspect whatever he sings on tour will be what he actually can sing comfortably, and he'll be really, really well mic'd. And the screaming fans won't care if theiy can't hear, because they came to watch.

Yes, I'm sure Darren knows what his range is, and wouldn't be dumb enough to pick songs that are out of his element if he knows he'll be singing these same songs for a month.

[Glorfindel]

Thanks for your explanation. And in the case of Kevin, is he able to reach those suitable tenor notes, is because he strenght more his vocals? Is he a naturally baritenor (once I heard that term) or because he's been training?

Part of it is just natural range, but another big part of it is Kevin having excellent vocal techniques and having trained his voice so well.

And as regards Darren's medical condition, once a friend told me she went from being a soprano to mezzo because she had a problem in her vocal chords, is that possible? I'm sorry if I'm asking so much technical things.

That's possible, but it's not the same as what Darren has.

I think the condition Darren mentioned was not having certain folds in his vocal chords/throat, meaning that he cannot have vibrato and shouldn't overuse his voice for fear of permanent damage?

No, he has the folds, but they don't close properly.
This causes a haze voice that has a limited range and gets tired very quickly. This can partly be corrected with good vocal techniques and taking good care of his voice, but it's my impression that Darren doesn't do that. I'll copy and paste a post I made about this on GF later.
BTW: his lack of vibrato has nothing to do with that. Vibrato is purely a natural part of the voice that can be 'strengthened' by good techniques, basically excellent relaxation of the throat and good breath support. Darren does not master those techniques and that's why he doesn't have a vibrato.

It sounds like a PR device to explain is lesser voice during S4. People complained and now he is doing damage control.

In case he really has medical problems, they need to cut back his songs. Considering that the GA seems to hate all the Blee focus, it would only be an advantage for the show and Darren. Win/Win.

You're right, both counts. It sounds like a PR damage control move. I do believe there is some truth in it (because now I know it I can hear it in his voice), but it's not all there is to his voice. As mentioned above: a lot could be improved and negated if he would use the right techniques and take care of his voice.
If the show keeps using Darren so much as they do now, with that medical condition in his voice, they will indeed ruin his voice.

Marie can correct me if I'm wrong, but I would think that the studio performances wouldn't be as big of a tax on his voice if the songs are within his range, and he doesn't have to stretch.

Right. If they would give Darren songs that are within his range and don't stretch out of that, he'll be fine. But we all know that they haven't done that.

It's stuff like his tour where he would be more likely to damage his voice permanently--since he'll be singing a lot more, and probably singing louder than he needs to sing over the screaming Blainers.

Right again. Darren always overdoes it in his live concerts.
Listen to his live 'Against All Odds' on the show and you can hear how he has to force his voice to reach the notes. He can't do that for a month in a row live, trying to sing louder than his fans.

I am sure Marie will give us the right information, but I don't think that the songs Blaine's been given HAVE been in his range . . . have they?

Nope. (Or yes, depending how you read the question, lol)

I suspect whatever he sings on tour will be what he actually can sing comfortably, and he'll be really, really well mic'd. And the screaming fans won't care if they can't hear, because they came to watch.

I hope so, but I don't count on it.
His fans are very, very loud, that was obvious at his Broadway stint, and you can also hear it in his live concerts on video. They often sing along and Darren incourages them because he tends to forget the lyrics of his songs.
On top of that Darren often plays an instrument while singing, or is busy with pleasing the crowd with dances and jumping and stuff. He will not concentrate on his singing 100%, and that will be bad, because he really needs all his vocal techniques and brain capacity to sing in a healthy way.
When he came back from his Broadway stint he was audibly hoarse. I hate Blaine and I don't like Darren, but I do not wish for him to harm his voice during his concert tour (although this little devil inside me wants him to damage his voice so Blaine shuts up for at least half a season)

Yes, I'm sure Darren knows what his range is, and wouldn't be dumb enough to pick songs that are out of his element if he knows he'll be singing these same songs for a month.

The good thing is that Darren will be singing his own songs during the concert tour, and he does know how to write songs within his range. I like some of his own songs.
But he will also probably do some covers (Teenage Dream, Disney songs) if he got the rights for them, and those songs will be tricky, as they can be out of his comfortable range.

[Glorfindel]

This is the Darren interview I was talking about earlier: link
It's a video interview, but someone wrote down what he said about his voice:

"I have a very kind of thin pop voice, like it's hard for me to fill an auditorium […] I've never made claims to being like a singer. [...] I have a vocal weird defect where my folds don't close all the way, like I don't have a vibrato."

(This is about 22 minutes in the interview)

This was my response on the Songs and Singers thread on GF:

Either Darren is mixing up things or he is just answering real fast and listing a few things at the same time (he also mentions not being able to sing long legato). At least, that's the only way I can explain it, because vibrato is not initiated nor directly related to the vocal folds, so them not closing properly is not the reason why Darren doesn't have a vibrato.
Vibrato is originated in either the throat (but not by the vocal chords/folds, but by the rapid movement/vibration of the larynx) and/or the abdomen (by the movement/vibration of the diaphragm). It is initiated by a combination of total relaxation of the area around the throat and good support by the abdomen muscles, which allows a singer to relax and use his body as a resonance box. Some singers have a more natural tendency/'instrument' to use vibrato in their voices/timbre than others, but it is ultimately a singing technique. (same goes for sustaining legato, btw)

The not closing properly of the vocal folds can explain the haziness in Darren's voice, and him struggling to get a broader/louder sound, especially in the high and low notes, so it is also limiting his vocal range. Hence the "thin" voice Darren refers to.
It can also explain him getting tired easily from singing and that's why you sometimes can hear his voice sounding strained after he has sung a lot. Vocal folds that don't close all the way let air 'seep' through the throat, causing the throat to dry out. This drying out has a bad side-effect: it can cause the folds/chord to get 'stuck' together, because they need to be lubed/moist all the time. When they get 'glued' together because they are dried out and the person then starts singing, the vocal chords (under pressure of the air being pushed out) 'snap' open, and this can cause grazing injury or 'bruises' (and nodules if a singer is not careful). Did you ever sit with you legs folded together on a warm day, and then you have to get up quickly, but your legs are actually sticking together so it hurts when you suddenly seperate them and you get shaving? This is something similar. :wacko:
The drying out of the throat also causes the rest of the throat area to get irritated and painful, and the result can be a sore throat and/or the singer then tensing up and getting hoarse. It has a cumulating effect.

I can't tell you if it is something Darren was born with or if he has developed it over the years (even a slightly bad talking/breathing technique as a child can start and cause problems later in life), because I don't know Darren and haven't worked with him. I take it that he must have had his vocal chords scanned and checked in a hospital to know this about his vocal folds, so there is some medical history here we don't know (and I need to give a better answer). Maybe Darren got hoarse and lost his voice a lot when he was a child (or dry coughed a lot) and they went to the doctor for that, or maybe he had his voice checked during his college training as an aspiring actor (which is required in many performing arts colleges).
Anyway: this defect can be something you were born with or something that developed over the years, or even a combination of both.

To recap (lol):
- The defect in his vocal folds can cause haziness and a limitation of both his vocal range and his 'power'.
- The defect cannot be the reason Darren has no vibrato, nor being unable to sustain long notes (legato).
Actually: it explains a lot about what I've been hearing in Darren's singing, and if it's a natural defect not all of that can be corrected/compensated by vocal techniques. If this is true, it is even more vital for Darren to take good care of his voice.

[AnneNeville]

Thank you so much for straightening me out on the vocal issues. I suspected that I had not fully understood the article.

His fans are very, very loud, that was obvious at his Broadway stint, and you can also hear it in his live concerts on video. They often sing along and Darren incourages them because he tends to forget the lyrics of his songs.

Now that is sad . . .

I hate Blaine and I don't like Darren, but I do not wish for him to harm his voice during his concert tour (although this little devil inside me wants him to damage his voice so Blaine shuts up for at least half a season).

I agree about the first part. I also wish that he wouldn't sing for half a season, but I am (for now) refusing to acknowledge any such devil inside me. His badness probably grates on me less because I am NOT trained to hear all that he's doing wrong. I just . . . choose not to watch the episodes.

Yes, I'm sure Darren knows what his range is, and wouldn't be dumb enough to pick songs that are out of his element if he knows he'll be singing these same songs for a month.

The good thing is that Darren will be singing his own songs during the concert tour, and he does know how to write songs within his range. I like some of his own songs.
But he will also probably do some covers (Teenage Dream, Disney songs) if he got the rights for them, and those songs will be tricky, as they can be out of his comfortable range.

Yeah, the fewer of his popular "Glee" songs the better, I think. I honestly don't want him to harm his voice. I don't know if hurting his singing voice could carry over into harming his vocal flexibility as an actor, but either way I'd not wish that on anyone.

I also want Blaine to vanish.

[AnneNeville]

So basically Darren should NOT be singing leading roles on Broadway. Ever. Is that a fair conclusion? *

* In terms of it being likely to do real harm to his voice.

ETA: Or would he be able to safely do something like Rex Harrison's Higgins in My Fair Lady (say), where it's mostly talk-singing? I'm thinking of the eight-show-a-week schedule and vocal damage.

[AnneNeville]

On totally different topic, has anyone stumbled across a Kurt-edit or compilation of all of Season Four? I'm curious about how many (erm, few) minutes of screen time Chris actually got over the course of the year...

[brisallie]

Thanks for your explanation. And in the case of Kevin, is he able to reach those suitable tenor notes, is because he strenght more his vocals? Is he a naturally baritenor (once I heard that term) or because he's been training?

Part of it is just natural range, but another big part of it is Kevin having excellent vocal techniques and having trained his voice so well.

Thanks for the answer Marie, but it was me who asked this. Anyway, thanks for taking your time to reply all of the questions that have been done to you

And also I'm one of those who will love if Blaine stop singing on Glee, at least for a while (half of the season). But by other side I hope Darren takes care of his voice, because he lives of so. I always seen him more as a songwriter/singer than an actor. And as regards his fans, most of them a female teenagers, so I've no idea how do you shut them up.

On totally different topic, has anyone stumbled across a Kurt-edit or compilation of all of Season Four? I'm curious about how many (erm, few) minutes of screen time Chris actually got over the course of the year...

Not yet. But if someone would like to do a video compilation with Kurt scenes only, it means that person has to download whole season four. Poor person.

[AnneNeville]

On totally different topic, has anyone stumbled across a Kurt-edit or compilation of all of Season Four? I'm curious about how many (erm, few) minutes of screen time Chris actually got over the course of the year...

Not yet. But if someone would like to do a video compilation with Kurt scenes only, it means that person has to download whole season four. Poor person.

I'd feel bad, too. I'd sort of like to know if Kurt got an hour of screen time in the 22 hours of Glee that aired, though. Perhaps that's a little too pessimistic. Maybe a bit under two hours, tops?

[ColdFlame96]

On totally different topic, has anyone stumbled across a Kurt-edit or compilation of all of Season Four? I'm curious about how many (erm, few) minutes of screen time Chris actually got over the course of the year...

Not yet. But if someone would like to do a video compilation with Kurt scenes only, it means that person has to download whole season four. Poor person.

I'd feel bad, too. I'd sort of like to know if Kurt got an hour of screen time in the 22 hours of Glee that aired, though. Perhaps that's a little too pessimistic. Maybe a bit under two hours, tops?

He definitely got over an hour, if you count the few times where he was heavily featured, 'The New Rachel', 'Makeover', 'TBU', 'Swan Song', 'Glee, Actually', 'Diva', 'GABOF', and ' Wonder-ful', plus all the snippets from every other episode.

[AnneNeville]

On totally different topic, has anyone stumbled across a Kurt-edit or compilation of all of Season Four? I'm curious about how many (erm, few) minutes of screen time Chris actually got over the course of the year...

Not yet. But if someone would like to do a video compilation with Kurt scenes only, it means that person has to download whole season four. Poor person.

I'd feel bad, too. I'd sort of like to know if Kurt got an hour of screen time in the 22 hours of Glee that aired, though. Perhaps that's a little too pessimistic. Maybe a bit under two hours, tops?

He definitely got over an hour, if you count the few times where he was heavily featured, 'The New Rachel', 'Makeover', 'TBU', 'Swan Song', 'Glee, Actually', 'Diva', 'GABOF', and ' Wonder-ful', plus all the snippets from every other episode.

So perhaps between an hour and a half and two hours?

[ColdFlame96]

On totally different topic, has anyone stumbled across a Kurt-edit or compilation of all of Season Four? I'm curious about how many (erm, few) minutes of screen time Chris actually got over the course of the year...

Not yet. But if someone would like to do a video compilation with Kurt scenes only, it means that person has to download whole season four. Poor person.

I'd feel bad, too. I'd sort of like to know if Kurt got an hour of screen time in the 22 hours of Glee that aired, though. Perhaps that's a little too pessimistic. Maybe a bit under two hours, tops?

He definitely got over an hour, if you count the few times where he was heavily featured, 'The New Rachel', 'Makeover', 'TBU', 'Swan Song', 'Glee, Actually', 'Diva', 'GABOF', and ' Wonder-ful', plus all the snippets from every other episode.

So perhaps between an hour and a half and two hours?

Probably. But hey, he's getting paid full time, so if the show runners are willing to waste their money and talent on a few seconds an episode, well that's not my problem. It's their show they're sinking.

[AnneNeville]

Not yet. But if someone would like to do a video compilation with Kurt scenes only, it means that person has to download whole season four. Poor person.

I'd feel bad, too. I'd sort of like to know if Kurt got an hour of screen time in the 22 hours of Glee that aired, though. Perhaps that's a little too pessimistic. Maybe a bit under two hours, tops?

He definitely got over an hour, if you count the few times where he was heavily featured, 'The New Rachel', 'Makeover', 'TBU', 'Swan Song', 'Glee, Actually', 'Diva', 'GABOF', and ' Wonder-ful', plus all the snippets from every other episode.

So perhaps between an hour and a half and two hours?

Probably. But hey, he's getting paid full time, so if the show runners are willing to waste their money and talent on a few seconds an episode, well that's not my problem. It's their show they're sinking.

True. And I am sure Chris is glad to have the income so he can develop other things. But it's such a waste of a good actor, and it does keep him tied to the show, unable to fully pursue other things (guest spots, film roles during the year, stage roles).

[ColdFlame96]

I'd feel bad, too. I'd sort of like to know if Kurt got an hour of screen time in the 22 hours of Glee that aired, though. Perhaps that's a little too pessimistic. Maybe a bit under two hours, tops?

He definitely got over an hour, if you count the few times where he was heavily featured, 'The New Rachel', 'Makeover', 'TBU', 'Swan Song', 'Glee, Actually', 'Diva', 'GABOF', and ' Wonder-ful', plus all the snippets from every other episode.

So perhaps between an hour and a half and two hours?

Probably. But hey, he's getting paid full time, so if the show runners are willing to waste their money and talent on a few seconds an episode, well that's not my problem. It's their show they're sinking.

True. And I am sure Chris is glad to have the income so he can develop other things. But it's such a waste of a good actor, and it does keep him tied to the show, unable to fully pursue other things (guest spots, film roles during the year, stage roles).

Well, Cory, Lea, Dianna, and Darren have all gotten film roles so I don't see why Chris can't.

[brisallie]

Probably Chris have been offered to play roles in movies, but I'm wondering what kind of roles. Did he feel comfortable with it?

@AnneNeville, I just remember you can find NY scenes compilation on YT, I've come across with a couple of videos. I edited "Lights Out", but only for me, and are 14 minutes.

[ColdFlame96]

Probably Chris have been offered to play roles in movies, but I'm wondering what kind of roles. Did he feel comfortable with it?

@AnneNeville, I just remember you can find NY scenes compilation on YT, I've come across with a couple of videos. I edited "Lights Out", but only for me, and are 14 minutes.

He's been offered roles but they were all similar to Kurt, so he turned them down because he didnt want to be typecast.

[fantastica]

some movies roles are better rejected. a lot of teen roles are in stupid horror movies or other silly comedies that nobody remembers. it's better to stay away from these if you already have some name recognition. if you have never acted then it's better than nothing.

[AnneNeville]

Probably Chris have been offered to play roles in movies, but I'm wondering what kind of roles. Did he feel comfortable with it?

@AnneNeville, I just remember you can find NY scenes compilation on YT, I've come across with a couple of videos. I edited "Lights Out", but only for me, and are 14 minutes.

He's been offered roles but they were all similar to Kurt, so he turned them down because he didnt want to be typecast.

Which is smart.

It can take a long time to film a (big-budget) movie, especially if you have a major role. I just think that being tied to Glee might limit what kind of film he could commit to. Fortunately, he makes his own stuff, so he is in charge of that.

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