There are literally thousands of articles and books available on how to audition in the world of music and the performing arts. My short article here doesn't attempt to be completely comprehensive, but rather a quick reference you can use as you go. Take the tips and advice presented here and assimilate it with what you already have learned. The more you add to your knowledge of the business the more of a professional you will be in the performing arts world (i.e., my first two tips)!
The first two tips are general advice on being a singer in today's competitive performing arts world.
1. Have confidence, or at least exude confidence from your being. Know yourself. Accept yourself and appreciate what you and only you have to offer. If you are a singer or actor, there's a good reason that you chose this because you have something inside of you that you feel needs to be expressed to others. Spend time learning about yourself, and note how you go about life and what you feel is unique to you. This will make you a standout from the get-go.
2. Learn your craft. Many singers think they can "make it" on just what they are born with, and do not put in the time to really learn the basics of good technique and healthy singing. It's great to have confidence in yourself, but it's not good to go into an audition with only your wits and some raw talent in your arsenal. Find a good voice teacher or coach who can guide you in your technique. A good teacher can also guide you on musical selection and repertoire, and help you connect with the local music scene by way of people connections. Ultimately, however, it's up to you to make your own way. Do your homework, practice and take your art seriously.
The next few tips are great to remember for every audition:
3. Never be late. It's surprising how many people show up late or "right on time" to an audition, not thinking about how unprofessional this looks. Plan ahead. Get directions and know where you're going. Know how much time it takes to get there and add a good 15 minutes or more if you know there will be traffic.
4. Always be prepared. Check on all requirements and read directions carefully on the audition announcement or invitation. Bring all required paper materials in the form specified (such as resume on the back of your head shot). Bring original purchased music (not copies), and bring extras of everything. Bring a pencil and a pen. Turn your cell phone off. In short, the better prepared you are, the more you'll relax and really be able to shine!
5. Listen to directions. It's a very simple rule we all learned in kindergarten, and now is a great time to follow it! If you're nervous it helps to give yourself something to focus on, and it might as well be the directions you are being given. Directors will sometimes give you a specific direction pertaining to some part of your audition. If you're unclear or just didn't process it the first time, it's much better to ask for clarification than trying to go on without knowing what to do. Being absolutely sure of what you're doing is always better for your nerves anyway.
There are MANY more tips you can find, but these are some of the basics. Also check out this link to one of the most well-known and best vocal coaches today:
Bob Marks' 10 Best Audition Tips
Happy auditioning! Do you have a favorite tip that has helped you out? Share it here!
Monday, December 31, 2012
Sunday, December 16, 2012
A Tribute to the CT Victims, Heroes, and Families
There has to be a song—
There are too many dark nights,
Too many troublesome days,
Too many wearisome miles,
There has to be a song—
To make our burdens bearable,
To transform our successes into praise,
To release the chains of past defeats,
Somewhere—down deep in a forgotten corner of each man’s heart—
There has to be a song—
Like a cool, clear drink of water,
Like the gentle warmth of sunshine,
Like the tender love of a child.
There has to be a song.
Written by Bob Benson
Light a candle this Christmas season for the families in Connecticut who have lost their precious loved ones. God loves our praises but also welcomes our lamentations. Take it all to Him.
There are too many dark nights,
Too many troublesome days,
Too many wearisome miles,
There has to be a song—
To make our burdens bearable,
To transform our successes into praise,
To release the chains of past defeats,
Somewhere—down deep in a forgotten corner of each man’s heart—
There has to be a song—
Like a cool, clear drink of water,
Like the gentle warmth of sunshine,
Like the tender love of a child.
There has to be a song.
Written by Bob Benson
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Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Holiday Schedule and Spring 2013
Hi folks!
I will be teaching through Saturday, December 22. Thursday, January 3 will be the start of the spring 2013 semester.
If you're thinking about taking lessons, now is a great time to start preparing for January show auditions and scholarship auditions. I assist with all aspects of a singing audition, including tips and advice on how to be ready, professional, and bring your absolute best!
Times fill up on a first come, first choice basis. You can email me at claire.l.duffle@gmail.com, or send me a message through Facebook.
I will be teaching through Saturday, December 22. Thursday, January 3 will be the start of the spring 2013 semester.
If you're thinking about taking lessons, now is a great time to start preparing for January show auditions and scholarship auditions. I assist with all aspects of a singing audition, including tips and advice on how to be ready, professional, and bring your absolute best!
Times fill up on a first come, first choice basis. You can email me at claire.l.duffle@gmail.com, or send me a message through Facebook.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Thoughts on Singing
A few tips on singing from a few singers throughout history...
On why you should take voice lessons:
"Singing lessons are like body building for your larynx." -Bernadette Peters
"Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully on the strings." -Psalm 33:3
On why we sing:
"A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song." -Maya Angelou
"Sing to Him, sing praises to Him, tell all of His wondrous works!" Psalm 105:2
On how to pick out the right song:
"If a song's about something I've experienced or that could've happened to me it's good. But if it's alien to me, I couldn't lend anything to it. Because that's what soul is all about." -Aretha Franklin
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." -Colossians 3:16
And a few notes on how we should sing. Enjoy!
Directions for Singing
1. Learn these tunes before you learn any others; afterwards learn as many as you please.
2. Sing them exactly as they are printed here, without altering or mending them at all; and if you have learned to sing them otherwise, unlearn it as soon as you can.
3. Sing all. See that you join with the congregation as frequently as you can. Let not a single degree of weakness or weariness hinder you. If it is a cross to you, take it up, and you will find it a blessing.
4. Sing lustily and with good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, then when you sung the songs of Satan.
5. Sing modestly. Do not bawl, so as to be heard above or distinct from the rest of the congregation, that you may not destroy the harmony; but strive to unite your voices together, so as to make one clear melodious sound.
6. Sing in time. Whatever time is sung be sure to keep with it. Do not run before nor stay behind it; but attend close to the leading voices, and move therewith as exactly as you can; and take care not to sing to slow. This drawling way naturally steals on all who are lazy; and it is high time to drive it out from us, and sing all our tunes just as quick as we did at first.
7. Above all sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing him more than yourself, or any other creature. In order to do this attend strictly to the sense of what you sing, and see that your heart is not carried away with the sound, but offered to God continually; so shall your singing be such as the Lord will approve here, and reward you when he cometh in the clouds of heaven.
-John Wesley
On why you should take voice lessons:
"Singing lessons are like body building for your larynx." -Bernadette Peters
"Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully on the strings." -Psalm 33:3
On why we sing:
"A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song." -Maya Angelou
"Sing to Him, sing praises to Him, tell all of His wondrous works!" Psalm 105:2
On how to pick out the right song:
"If a song's about something I've experienced or that could've happened to me it's good. But if it's alien to me, I couldn't lend anything to it. Because that's what soul is all about." -Aretha Franklin
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." -Colossians 3:16
And a few notes on how we should sing. Enjoy!
Directions for Singing
1. Learn these tunes before you learn any others; afterwards learn as many as you please.
2. Sing them exactly as they are printed here, without altering or mending them at all; and if you have learned to sing them otherwise, unlearn it as soon as you can.
3. Sing all. See that you join with the congregation as frequently as you can. Let not a single degree of weakness or weariness hinder you. If it is a cross to you, take it up, and you will find it a blessing.
4. Sing lustily and with good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, then when you sung the songs of Satan.
5. Sing modestly. Do not bawl, so as to be heard above or distinct from the rest of the congregation, that you may not destroy the harmony; but strive to unite your voices together, so as to make one clear melodious sound.
6. Sing in time. Whatever time is sung be sure to keep with it. Do not run before nor stay behind it; but attend close to the leading voices, and move therewith as exactly as you can; and take care not to sing to slow. This drawling way naturally steals on all who are lazy; and it is high time to drive it out from us, and sing all our tunes just as quick as we did at first.
7. Above all sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing him more than yourself, or any other creature. In order to do this attend strictly to the sense of what you sing, and see that your heart is not carried away with the sound, but offered to God continually; so shall your singing be such as the Lord will approve here, and reward you when he cometh in the clouds of heaven.
-John Wesley
Sunday, December 9, 2012
"Let's start at the very beginning..." Basics of Singing
When you think about singing, you may think all you have to do is take a deep breath, open your mouth and let the sound come out in the form of a melody. That's part of it, but singing is so much more! Have you ever heard the analogy about achieving your dreams? They say if you aim for the stars you'll reach the moon.
When you apply this concept to singing, you can see that it's about always doing more than just the minimum, going a little beyond what you think you have to do. When you take good care of yourself, and practice regularly, you'll see results much quicker!
You'll be able to sing longer phrases, add layers of phrasing, emotion, and stage presence to your singing, and be ready for any performance or audition coming up. Keep reading for some basic tips on being a "whole" singer.
Drinking water
It's a great idea to drink water every day and stay hydrated. It's not a great idea to wait until the day of your voice lesson and drink a lot of water to make up for the entire week (kind of like practice-cramming). It's important that the vocal chords don't get dry, as this would make it harder for the vocal folds to vibrate and produce a beautiful sound. Tip: When you're getting ready to sing, drink room temperature water for the most comfort and ease.
***TIP: Don't clear your throat before singing. Just produce a cough, which is more natural and won't hurt your vocal chords like clearing your throat will. And see the note below about dairy...
Eating healthy-It's not breaking news that eating a balanced diet and avoiding junk food is good for you, but here are a few specifics when it comes to singing. When you have a lesson or performance in the next 24-48 hours, it's best to stay away from spicy or greasy foods, which can irritate your stomach or even your throat and vocal folds. It's also best to avoid dairy right before singing, because it can cause phlegm to coat the throat. A healthy, balanced diet full of fruits and veggies is always best! Your immune system will be stronger also, which will keep colds and other illnesses away--especially the kind that stick around and hurt your singing voice!
***TIP: Avoid throat lozenges in general; they coat the throat in order to make it feel better, and then leave it cold and raw which hurts your singing. Especially avoid analgesics, which mask throat pain and cause you to think you can sing longer than you should, causing damage.
Exercising
Everyone knows you should be active in addition to eating healthy, in order to be in your best shape! For singing, it's especially important to have a great lung capacity. To increase your ability to breathe correctly, aerobic exercise is a fantastic idea! Have a dance party in your living room, go running or speed walking, swimming, or anything else you can think of to get moving for a little while every day!
Getting enough sleep
This is possibly the single most important habit you can develop. Most of us who sing are also involved in other things and stay too busy in our lives. However, if you make good sleep a priority, you'll find that your voice, and your whole body and mind, are better able to handle the demands of singing. You'll be able to sing longer and stronger, and have more control over your voice. Try to relax and turn off all electronics for a while before going to bed. Drink a cup of hot tea and read a book, or just meditate or pray for a few minutes to help you go to sleep better. Try it and "watch what happens"!
A few things to avoid
Smoking: Bad, bad, bad for singing. It will hurt your overall range, cause your vocal chords to swell, and cause you to lose control over your singing gradually. Just don't do it!
Too much caffeine: It's okay to have some caffeine in your life, but avoid before singing. It's a diuretic, which means you'll have to go...you know where...more often!
Carbonated drinks: They cause gas (never a pleasant thing), make singing uncomfortable, and also cause going to the bathroom, which can cause dehydration. With too much sugar and caffeine, these are just something to avoid all around.
Over singing: It is very important to never sing if your throat is tired or sore. Singing through soreness can cause serious damage to your vocal folds and hurt your recovery time if you're sick. Just like an injury in sports would bench an athlete until the injury was healed, you should not try to sing if it hurts. Ever.
Allergens: If you have allergies it's best to steer clear of things that will aggravate your throat, sinuses, and general health. Some allergens can't always be avoided, so take care and follow the advice above, and rest your voice as needed.
***Final TIP: If you recognize any bad habits in yourself, try working on one at a time for about 10-14 days at a time, and you'll be surprised how much better your singing, and your health, will be! Go for it! The only think stopping you is yourself!
When you apply this concept to singing, you can see that it's about always doing more than just the minimum, going a little beyond what you think you have to do. When you take good care of yourself, and practice regularly, you'll see results much quicker!
You'll be able to sing longer phrases, add layers of phrasing, emotion, and stage presence to your singing, and be ready for any performance or audition coming up. Keep reading for some basic tips on being a "whole" singer.
Drinking water
It's a great idea to drink water every day and stay hydrated. It's not a great idea to wait until the day of your voice lesson and drink a lot of water to make up for the entire week (kind of like practice-cramming). It's important that the vocal chords don't get dry, as this would make it harder for the vocal folds to vibrate and produce a beautiful sound. Tip: When you're getting ready to sing, drink room temperature water for the most comfort and ease.
***TIP: Don't clear your throat before singing. Just produce a cough, which is more natural and won't hurt your vocal chords like clearing your throat will. And see the note below about dairy...
Eating healthy-It's not breaking news that eating a balanced diet and avoiding junk food is good for you, but here are a few specifics when it comes to singing. When you have a lesson or performance in the next 24-48 hours, it's best to stay away from spicy or greasy foods, which can irritate your stomach or even your throat and vocal folds. It's also best to avoid dairy right before singing, because it can cause phlegm to coat the throat. A healthy, balanced diet full of fruits and veggies is always best! Your immune system will be stronger also, which will keep colds and other illnesses away--especially the kind that stick around and hurt your singing voice!
***TIP: Avoid throat lozenges in general; they coat the throat in order to make it feel better, and then leave it cold and raw which hurts your singing. Especially avoid analgesics, which mask throat pain and cause you to think you can sing longer than you should, causing damage.
Exercising
Everyone knows you should be active in addition to eating healthy, in order to be in your best shape! For singing, it's especially important to have a great lung capacity. To increase your ability to breathe correctly, aerobic exercise is a fantastic idea! Have a dance party in your living room, go running or speed walking, swimming, or anything else you can think of to get moving for a little while every day!
Getting enough sleep
This is possibly the single most important habit you can develop. Most of us who sing are also involved in other things and stay too busy in our lives. However, if you make good sleep a priority, you'll find that your voice, and your whole body and mind, are better able to handle the demands of singing. You'll be able to sing longer and stronger, and have more control over your voice. Try to relax and turn off all electronics for a while before going to bed. Drink a cup of hot tea and read a book, or just meditate or pray for a few minutes to help you go to sleep better. Try it and "watch what happens"!
A few things to avoid
Smoking: Bad, bad, bad for singing. It will hurt your overall range, cause your vocal chords to swell, and cause you to lose control over your singing gradually. Just don't do it!
Too much caffeine: It's okay to have some caffeine in your life, but avoid before singing. It's a diuretic, which means you'll have to go...you know where...more often!
Carbonated drinks: They cause gas (never a pleasant thing), make singing uncomfortable, and also cause going to the bathroom, which can cause dehydration. With too much sugar and caffeine, these are just something to avoid all around.
Over singing: It is very important to never sing if your throat is tired or sore. Singing through soreness can cause serious damage to your vocal folds and hurt your recovery time if you're sick. Just like an injury in sports would bench an athlete until the injury was healed, you should not try to sing if it hurts. Ever.
Allergens: If you have allergies it's best to steer clear of things that will aggravate your throat, sinuses, and general health. Some allergens can't always be avoided, so take care and follow the advice above, and rest your voice as needed.
***Final TIP: If you recognize any bad habits in yourself, try working on one at a time for about 10-14 days at a time, and you'll be surprised how much better your singing, and your health, will be! Go for it! The only think stopping you is yourself!
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
The Studio of Claire L. Duffle
Hi folks!
I am now taking new students for voice lessons starting in January 2013.
I teach ages 4 and up, all levels. Lessons are usually 30 minutes, once per week. I also do 15 minute lessons for young students, or 45 min-1 hour lessons for more advanced students, especially those preparing for an audition for scholarships or shows.
I am based in Ware Shoals, but can travel depending on the day of the week. I make an individual plan for each student to help them grow in their love of music and in their technique, and will record every lesson beginning in January so that students can listen to themselves for practice between lessons.
Performance opportunities throughout the year will be lined up for voice students wishing to participate, and of course I encourage all students to try!
Please comment here, or email me at claire.l.duffle@gmail.com for more information.
Follow me on twitter! @SongNotesClaire
I am now taking new students for voice lessons starting in January 2013.
I teach ages 4 and up, all levels. Lessons are usually 30 minutes, once per week. I also do 15 minute lessons for young students, or 45 min-1 hour lessons for more advanced students, especially those preparing for an audition for scholarships or shows.
I am based in Ware Shoals, but can travel depending on the day of the week. I make an individual plan for each student to help them grow in their love of music and in their technique, and will record every lesson beginning in January so that students can listen to themselves for practice between lessons.
Performance opportunities throughout the year will be lined up for voice students wishing to participate, and of course I encourage all students to try!
Please comment here, or email me at claire.l.duffle@gmail.com for more information.
Follow me on twitter! @SongNotesClaire
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