"It's That Time of Year... Audition Season! Helpful Advice on How to Get Noticed and Keep Them Begging For More'

Well that time of year is already upon us once again... No, not the holidays! AUDITIONS for this years' upcoming seasons of all your favorite 'talent seeking' television shows. If you are one of this years' season 'hopefuls,'  here is some helpful advice on how to get noticed and make it to the next round...

First and foremost, the people you are auditioning for ultimately are casting a television show and it is THEIR job to cast the show with a talented ensemble of familiar but fresh characters. But you can make their job EASY early on by defining who you are as an artist and understanding that identity. Are you the 'sensitive, indie musician,' the 'pop darling' the 'rebellious, rocker dude,' the 'country cutie' or the 'r&b diva!?'  Choose a song that best captures the essence of WHO you are as an artist. Keep your selection current and recognizable or better yet offer a fresh approach to an old favorite.  But dress the part! Act the part! And most importantly, BE the part! Play up those strengths and characteristics that make you, YOU! Impostors will be moved to the end of the line!

Next, you must remember you only have a few seconds in what is a VERY long day for the casting director to make a favorable impression! So MAKE your time count! Although cutting your song choice down to a typical 'verse and a chorus' length may feel like torture, it is a necessary evil. BUT if you do it well, you can 'pack a powerful punch' in those 32 bars. Here are just a few things to keep in mind...

      

     1) Get to the good stuff, and FAST! If it's the bridge then start there! If it means give 'em a little taste to savor, hinting at your brilliance, and then hitting 'em with the big stuff then do that! But by all means show off your BEST vocal assets and do it quickly!

     2) Once started, Do NOT come up for air! Rush every entrance... pushing the beat forward! After all, the music you are pausing for is only playing 'in your head' and any pause gives the adjudicator a chance to politely cut you off! So keep the song moving at a swift pace but NEVER sound as if you are in a race.

     3) Give your song an ending and a good one to boot! No unfinished business here, people! Add a tag, slow it down, opt for a higher pitch. But DO something that lets the listener know your time together is quickly coming to a close signaling that you're  a seasoned artist who is prepared and cares enough to give the very best musical experience you can give in WHATEVER amount of allotted time you're given.

Lastly, hone in on on your delivery. Don't just dial in a performance.  EXPLOIT every emotion, tempo change, dynamic, inflection, and riff! Push the envelope on everything! ie: If its quiet, be very quiet. If its lamenting, wail. If it slows, slam on the brake. etc... DON'T  just hint at it! MAKE IT OBVIOUS that what you're doing is intentional! 'Go big or go home' as they say! Leave it all on the 'audition floor' keeping them just where you want them - on the edge of their seats begging for more!

SO you got a call back!?  Now what... Go 'unplugged', 'rev' it up a little, or show a more sophisticated side. Whatever it is... Stay true to the 'home base' you established early on as an artist. (In other words, don't become Kelly Clarkson when you introduced them to Kellie Pickler!) By introducing this NEW dimension of artistry and sensitivity with each additional song you sing, you keep the adjudicator intrigued and coming back for more! They already like you! So why not give them a reason to LOVE you!?

God Did Not Intend For Singing To Be So Hard...

Do you ever feel as if you work way too hard at singing? I often find myself saying to singers in the studio 'God didn't intend for singing to be so hard!'

But nowadays, due to the plethora of information available (some good and some bad,)  many singers suffer from TMI  (too much information) and begin to distrust their own innate ability to distinguish what 'feels' wrong and what 'feels' right. 

Further, in an effort to help/assist the singing process, singers actually begin to insert tension into their OWN voices. Thus getting in their OWN way of producing a relaxed, healthy sound. Does this sound familiar!? 

As a singer, what you really should be striving for is developing your own innate sense of balance or 'feel' for your voice. Why not ask yourself "Does my voice 'feel' even or balanced when singing throughout my range without any of the pitches feeling stronger or weaker than others!?" Or how about asking yourself "Does it 'feel' as easy to sing in the top of my range as it does in the bottom and vice verse?" 

Why SHOULD singing be so hard? I can't imagine God EVER having intended it to be that way!?

My friend and mentor, Seth Riggs, said it best when he said  "Good singing (referring to Speech Level Singing) is an absolute refusal on the singers behalf to assist or help the pitch in any way." When is the last time you felt like THAT while singing!? 

If you desire a method of singing that allows you to sing comfortably throughout your range with increased pitch control, agility, and stamina, then why not give Speech Level Singing a try!? And leave the TMI forever behind...