By all appearances, people around the world love a good singing competition. However, we Brits seem to own the genre. British-born Idol, Got Talent and X-Factor series now have editions worldwide. For those in Glasgow, you might benefit from exploring singing lessons glasgow to further refine your performance.
What does it take to make it through such music auditions? Quite a lot, actually. In this article, Superprof lays out everything you need to know about singing auditions, including:
- how to prepare for music auditions
- which songs to choose for your voice type and vocal skill level
- how to make the most of your time on the stage
- what singing competition judges look for in a successful competitor
Preparing for Auditions: Vocal Training Competition
Considering how popular singing competitions are, you may decide to enter one. However, you mustn't rely on your vocal talents to see you through. Whether this is your first musical audition or the latest in a long line of them, you must address the 'Three Ps' of audition success. If you're based in Edinburgh, you might consider seeking personalised guidance through singing lessons edinburgh to polish your technique further.
They are practice, preparation, and presentation.
You might know that singing auditions seldom allow participants to sing a whole song. The process' time constraints might limit you to a minute and a half in front of the judges. Or, the contest's rules might specify a certain number of bars: '16 bars', for example, or '32 bars'.
That's not a lot of time - or a lot of music, to impress a judging panel with. Contestants must tailor their song selection to display the greatest emotional and vocal range, while sticking to the time/bar limit. Doing so means they will 'flex' their voice more strenuously than if they sang the whole song.
Adjusting your song selections - and your voice, is the 'preparation' P. You must now practice your trimmed song and how you will perform it. Along with mastering this new lyrical phrasing, you must engineer the best ways to present yourself and your song.
The 'presentation' P represents those audition aspects. Judges might ask you a few questions before you sing, or they might instruct you to sing without your backing track. They may even ask you to sing a different song. You must be ready for all of this, and more.
Simon Cowell, the master of popular singing competitions, has tripped up several British singing sensations with such requests. Doing so helps him test auditionees' 'Three Ps'. By no means is he the only audition judge who uses such tactics.
Going into a musical audition unprepared might see you dismissed before you get the chance to properly show off. Relying solely on your vocal talents won't guarantee a successful audition, no matter how talented you are. Preparing, practising and presenting your skills with competence and confidence is your recipe for success.
Songs For Singing Auditions
What you sing during your audition is as important as how (well) you sing it. Your musical selections must fit within your vocal range, and they must be 'credible'. Courtney Hadwin demonstrates this contrast well. At 14 years old, she went viral when she performed Hard to Handle (American Idol 2018).
Her raw vocal power stunned judges and the audience alike. It dwarfed her presentation, which was wild and erratic. Her selection showcased her talent admirably, but it didn't 'match' her.
The song is about a man urging a young, pretty woman to come home with him. The woman in question already has a lover; the man insists he will outdo his rival. A shy, pretty, young girl singing about such an experience isn't credible.
It worked for Courtney thanks to her vocal qualities, which are ideal for this music genre. Still, such mismatches are hard to overcome. Therefore, it's best to select audition pieces that best reflect your presentation, not just your voice skills.
When making selections for your musical auditions, you must consider the songs' complexity as well as their suitability. You should also select music tailored to your vocal range, rather than a song to impress the judges. This table gives you a few titles to consider.
| Song title | Original artist | Genre | Best for which voice? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somewhere Over the Rainbow | Judy Garland | Standards | Alto |
| Poker Face | Lady Gaga | Rock | Alto |
| Thinking Out Loud | Ed Sheeran | Pop | Tenor |
| Hometown Glory | Adele | Pop | Alto |
| Since You Been Gone | Kelly Clarkson | Pop-rock | Alto |
| Explosion | Ellie Goulding | ballad | Also |
| Maps | Yeah Yeah Yeahs | rock | Tenor (female) |
| God is a Woman | Ariana Grande | slow rock | various ranges |
| Redbone | Childish Gambino | slow pop | tenor w/falsetto |
| The Weeknd | Earned it | R & B | tenor w/falsetto |
Final tip: keep atop of changes. Song contests evolve over time; what might have floored the judges in past editions could leave them unmoved today. Take the time to discover your 'hook' - to find what will make you stand out. More than likely, your success will lie in your presentation.
Stage Presence and Confidence Tips
If any singing audition makes the case for needed stage presence, Susan Boyle would be it. For aspiring performers in Brighton, utilising singing lessons brighton can further enhance your on-stage confidence. She took the stage as a frumpy, slightly cheeky contestant that drew sneers from the viewers and judges. She walked away a musical audition legend.
I know what they were thinking, but why should it matter as long as I can sing? It's not a beauty contest.
Susan Boyle, after her 2008 Got Talent audition
Susan was right, and wrong. How the judges perceive you is often as important as what you sing and how you sing it. In a line-up of equally talented singers, your stage presence could make the difference between making the cut and being cut.
Stage presence isn't just about your appearance. It's the confidence you exude as you take the stage. It's how you move to the music, and how the music moves you. It's demonstrating your deep, emotional connection to your song.
Standing still and not showing any facial expressions will not convince the judges you feel what you sing. Likewise, jumping about and/or executing dance moves won't fare well, especially if those moves don't fit the song. Occasionally throwing an arm out (because that's what singers do!) makes your performance seem disjointed.
So, what should you do to get and keep the judges' attention? When it's time for your audition, walk onto the stage confidently - but not hurriedly. Take your place, smile at the judges as you greet them. Answer any questions they might ask, and then:
Stage Presence Do's
- hold your microphone comfortably
- sway or move in time to the music
- connect with judges and the audience
- close your eyes (for high notes and emotion)
- make the song yours
Stage Presence Don'ts
- hold your microphone in a death grip
- prance wildly all over the stage
- 'put yourself in a bubble'
- stand still or remain expressionless
- sing someone else's song
You might wonder about the last contrast - 'make the song yours' versus 'don't sing someone else's song.' Most singing auditions feature contestants performing popular tunes other singers made famous.
Copying original artists' performing style is not a successful audition strategy. Try changing the tempo and/or arrangement, stress different lyrics and/or inject new emotional tones.
Contrast Susan Boyle's audition tape with up-and-coming artist, Sheldon Riley. He entered his first major music competition in 2016, at 17 years old. He didn't make the cut that time, but on his next try, in 2018, he finished in third place. If anyone exemplifies stage presence and song 'ownership', he would be it.
Sheldon was - and still is, a fan favourite. Indeed, the 2018 The Voice Australia audience supported their choice with their 'saved by the public' vote (four times!). The Australian public selected him to represent their nation in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2022. You can see his powerful stage presence and lyrical phrasing in this audition video.
Insider Tips from Singing Audition Judges
Britain's Got Talent just got underway and The Voice UK is set to kick off this summer. Clearly, the UK's top singing competitions remain audience favourites. Will you take the stage, this year? If so, these tips will help.
All this is on top of
Don't forget to thank the judges and ask what they thought of your performance. Be open to their critique, and implement their suggestions. After all, you don't want your X-Factor legacy to be on YouTube's 'worst auditions' reel, right?
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