TPPP 003: NYC VOCAL COACH AND ACCOMPANIST, ANDREW BYRNE - THE PERFECT AUDITION SONG

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Here's his top tips for the Perfect Audition Song.

P. is for Playable:

Is this song too musically hard for a pianist who has never seen it before?

Are there excessive tempo/meter/key changes?

Is the copy I’m using legible?

Are the chords or the bottom piano staffs cut off/not visible on the copy I’m using? 

Is the musical information crystal-clear on the page (i.e. are my cuts marked correctly)?

E. is for Effective:

Does this song have musical impact? (btw, musical impact doesn’t necessarily mean loud)

Is there a clear storytelling arc?

Is the musical climax well-defined and does it occur at the right point in my cut?

Am I showing vocal range (pitch, dynamics, texture)?

Am I showing range as an actor (physicality, intention, communication)?

R. is for Relatable:

Does the text of this song make sense out of context?

Is there a universal theme being explored?

Does this song correlate with the kinds of characters I want to play?

Is this song too sad/angry/depressed to allow those in the room to connect with me?

Is there a tangible action that the character who sings this song is taking?

F. is for Flexible: 

Can I imagine playing the lyric of this song from many perspectives?

Is this song’s story too specific to be spun a different way?

If a director asked me to play this song in different circumstances, would that be doable?

Could I start at different points in the song with it still making sense?

Can I think of more than one role for which this song would be a good audition choice?

E. is for Easy (for you:)

Does this song show off something I do well?

Do I feel like I could roll out of bed at 6AM and sing this song?

Does this song feel like it “fits” me?

Does my face feel relaxed when I sing this song?

When I take a video of myself singing this piece, do I make it look easy?

C. is for Connected:

Is this song a story that I look forward to telling?

Do I feel an emotional pull toward this lyric?

When I listen to the music of this song without the text, do I still feel an emotional connection?

Do I understand the character who is singing this song?

Do I love this song?

T. is for Tailored:

Do I know this entire piece, so I can make informed decisions about edits?

Is my audition version the right length?

Is it in the right key?

Have I made the cuts that allow me to tell the story in the best way for me?

Do I need to make any slight lyric or music changes to feel more comfortable?