Audition Advice to Help Overcome the Fear and Blow Them All Away

I went to a recent audition for Season 2 of The Voice in Orlando and will admit I was a nervous wreck - as I usually am for any singing audition.  Although I think nervous adrenaline can be a good thing, it's important not to let it overtake you to the point where it hinders the best display of yourself before any judge or casting director.  From my own experience with music auditions (as both a performer and talent casting assistant), as well as some audition advice I've found online, I've compiled a list of my favorite successful audition ideas below:

1. Be Prepared -  
     a) Have the Right Technique.
Not only is it important to be ready in advance for audition day with the right directions to the audition facility and any requested materials to turn in (such as a headshot and resume), but it's also important to be ready with a fine-tuned, rehearsed set of vocals.  Vocal performer and Singing Secrets author, Kristina Seleshanko, talks about the importance of studying to be a professional singer and says "no matter how talented you are, you can benefit from lessons from a good voice teacher or coach" (2007).  The same thing goes for you musicians taking lessons as well - there is always more to learn.

American Idol 7 winner, David Cook, at his audition.

     b) Pick the Right Audition Piece of Music.
Bring an audition piece that best showcases your voice or other instrument, is appropriate for that specific audition, and is in the allotted time frame or number of bars.  If you are stronger in your upper register, don't sing a song that dips too much in your lower register just to show range because you could be hurting yourself by not really showcasing what you are best at.  You also want to make sure to "show the judges that you know how to sing the type of material they're looking for" and "don't use a song that you can't sing well every time you sing it" (Seleshanko, 2007).  You'll probably already be nervous enough, and having a song that's right on target for the spot you're competing for, and that you know you can nail, will really help to calm you down before the big moment.

2. Be Confident, But Not Cocky.
Portraying confidence is often easier said than done, but it's extremely important in the professional entertainment world in order to be counted on to get up on stage and perform music well.  A couple ways to get over being "shy" and exude confidence are to focus on the drive you have to perform, and be sure to have followed Audition Idea #1 and come fully prepared (Kulerman, 2006).  Dressing in an outfit you feel good in and displaying that outward confidence will help to bring out your inner confidence as well.  Just fair warning - don't push that new-found confidence too far into the realm of cocky, because no casting director is going to appreciate you explaining how you are the top choice for the role before you've even made it on the drawing board.

3. Be Respectful Of Others Auditioning and Those Judging.
This one may be self explanatory, but remaining compliant and courteous at auditions will get you farther than complaining and being rude to those around you.  You will probably have to wait at any audition, so get used to it if you plan to audition frequently.  Complaining about the process, or others waiting to audition and do their best, is not going to make you feel any more at ease with the situation and could even just put you more on edge before getting in front of the casting team.  When before the casting team or the judges, don't cry, whine or yell at the panel.  If they cut you, be respectful of the decision and don't demand an explanation or ask to perform one more time.  Instead, graciously exit and save face, so at your next audition for the same panel, they do not have a sour memory of you before you even open your mouth to sing or start to play your instrument.

4. Keep Performing in Public. 
According to Seleshanko (2007), you can help overcome your audition jitters by auditioning often and getting used to the judging process so you can learn to relax and perform at your best.  If it becomes habitual for you to sing or play in front of others, fear of doing so will start to fade and it will be less nerve-wracking to audition.  A really sweet lady I met at The Voice audition suggested using karaoke nights as a way to get better at singing in front of strangers.

5. Audition for Yourself.
Right before I entered the audition room for The Voice open call, a gentleman standing next to me in line reminded us that we have to audition for ourselves.  Don't audition merely to impress the others waiting in line or to wow the judge, but rather do it for yourself - because you want to perform.  He also said we all just have to focus on ourselves "in this moment" instead of focusing on the possible outcome.  If you go all in for yourself and that shining audition moment, then you can walk away with your head held high even if it's a "no" for today.


References:
Kulerman, R. (2006). Tips for beating shyness. Retrieved August 21, 2011, from http://www.actingbiz.com/articles/tips-for-beating-shyness.php
Seleshanko, K. (2007). How to succeed at an american idol audition (or any audition). Retrieved August 21, 2011, from http://voicestudio.kristinaseleshanko.com/WinAmericanIdol.htm

Images:
[Audition Line]. Retrieved August 21, 2011, from http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/galleries/rockettes_tryouts/rockettes_tryouts.html
[David Cook]. Retrieved August 21, 2011, from http://realitytvmagazine.sheknows.com/2010/06/22/american-idol-season-10-auditions-information/ 
[Karaoke]. Retrieved August 21, 2011, from http://www.teluglobe.com/podcasts/chinuku-thadiki-by-harika-karaoke

How to Protect the Singing Voice

Just like musicians have to take care to properly clean, store and transport their drum sets, guitars, pianos, etc., singers have to take care of their #1 instrument as well - their vocal chords. Inexperienced singers may think they have it easy because they don't have to pay for their equipment and don't have to worry about carefully lugging extra weight around. Although the lack of a detached instrumental component may be true, the reality is that singers should take just as much time with, and pay just as much attention to, their internal vocal instrument, if they want it to last and provide them with a successful music career.

In no particular order (because all are important), here are some tips to keep those valuable vocal chords healthy and happy:

1. DO NOT SMOKE - Cigarette smoke burns and dries out the vocal chords (Memel, 2010).

2. WARM UP - Just like a runner should do stretches to warm up their leg muscles before hitting the track, singers should warm up their vocal muscles before attempting to belt out tunes in order to avoid injury. Check out the below YouTube video where celebrity vocal coach Brett Manning gives some great warm up advice the average singer may not be familiar with:

3. WATCH POSTURE AND AVOID STRAINING - Standing up straight and keeping the head high not only looks better and portrays confidence when singing, but it also helps to not "constrict the throat, reduce airflow and cause unnecessary tension and strain on the voice" ("Let Your Voice Be Heard," 2010). Be sure to keep the "face and neck relaxed" as well (Braniac, n.d.), to avoid any kind of injury to those important muscles that control the vocal chords.

4. DRINK THE RIGHT BEVERAGES - Eight glasses of room temperature water a day is the best way to keep vocal chords nicely open and hydrated (Braniac, n.d.). Drinking warm tea is also a great way to sooth the vocal chords after long singing sessions. Just make sure that tea is decaffeinated, since caffeinated beverages, as well as alcohol, cause dehydration that singers need to avoid ("Let Your Voice Be Heard," 2010). Excessive milk and other dairy item consumption should also be avoided (especially before a big performance) because this can clog up the vocal airway by building up excess mucus in one's system.

5. GET ENOUGH REST - In addition to getting plenty of sleep so the brain isn't over tired for the mental task of singing, it's important to rest the voice in between singing gigs. As vocal coach Steven Memel says, "Quit yelling!!!" (2010). Constantly "yelling, screaming or cheering," such as at a sporting event or a loud night club can really cause strain on the voice, if not cause one to lose it for a short period of time altogether. When having to talk, try to keep it at a normal pitch (not too high or low) and at a normal decibel level (not too loud or whispery soft) ("Let Your Voice Be Heard," 2010).

6. DON'T CLEAR THE THROAT - Since clearing the throat is "the equivalent of slamming the vocal chords together" ("Let Your Voice Be Heard," 2010), it's better to just take a sip of water and swallow to get rid of any extra build up.


References -
Braniac. (n.d.) How to protect your vocal chords. eHow. Retrieved August 7, 2011, from http://www.ehow.com/how_4492179_protect-vocal-chords.html
Let Your Voice Be Heard. (2010, November). Let your voice be heard: Tips to protect your vocal chords. National Jewish Health. Retrieved August 7, 2011, from http://www.nationaljewish.org/healthinfo/lifestyle/management/protect-your-vocal-cords/
Memel, S. (2010, August 23). How to protect your vocal chords and keep them healthy for decades. Retrieved August 7, 2011, from http://stevenmemel.com/blog/how-to-protect-your-vocal-cords/
Images - 
[glass of water]. Retrieved August 7, 2011, from http://jupitercity.wordpress.com/2011/01/16/silent-sunday-glass-of-water/
[singing]. Retrieved August 7, 2011, from http://healthylifecarenews.com/singing-cheerfully-can-help-lose-weight/