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Auditioning for a Musical - Everything I need to know?

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I've been in a musical before, but didn't have to do a singing audition. I can't ever audition for musicals because I have no idea HOW to do a singing audition. So what I'm asking is for a website or an explanation of singing.

What is a key and how do I find my key? What is an alto/soprano [1 and 2?] and how do I know which one I am? That's all I know to ask without knowing anything, so if there's anything else to know, please tell me!

I know what "bars" are, and that you usually have to sing 16 bars.

I'm not auditioning for a musical anytime soon or anything, so any help would be appreciated. And I can't afford a singing coach right now and I can't join school choir or music class without an audition.

Anyone recommend books that could help me learn about music/singing too?

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  1. I am a voice coach, and I have to correct one of the statements made here. In female voices, soprano is the higher one and alto is the lower one. Most girls' voices are soprano, but usually Soprano 2 which is about mid-range. Soprano 1 is the highest, which can go up as high as E or F above high C. If you are familiar with Phantom of the Opera, the lead girl Christine is a Soprano 1 (also called a Coloratura). There is also a voice part called a Mezzo-Soprano, which is a heavier opera-sounding voice and usually found in older female singers like me. Altos are the "cake" of the women's voices in chorus, so to speak, and they usually sing harmony while the sopranos, "the frosting", sing melody or a higher harmony. If you have access to a piano and you know where middle C is then you can tell if you are soprano or alto by singing scales. The websites listed by other posters will help you but a general rule is that most altos are not as strong above Bb or C above middle C. Each voice has its' own wonderful quality and it is possible to start as a soprano and gradually darken down to a Mezzo or Alto. Your best bet is to talk to the chorus or choir teacher at school. I am sure they would gladly help you figure out which part you are comfortable with. Once you find out, you can start listening to various shows and find songs that "sing" to you :-)

    Women's voices also have 2 sounds, the head voice and the chest voice, and that is something that you will learn how to use once you start singing more. The chest voice, or "belt" is very strong and loud and can be heard over a big orchestra. Ethel Merman had a huge belt voice, if you want to hear a good one. The head voice is lighter in tone but can be just as loud, and Julie Andrews had a lovely head voice. Some singers have both and can use both well, like Bernadette Peters and Kristen Chenoweth. Hope this wasn't too much for you to digest...happy singing!!!!!


  2. If you want additional information about auditioning for musical theater you can go to

    http://www.musical-theater-kids.com

    You'll find information on the audition process, callbacks, 16 bar songs, sight reading, sight singing and more. Good luck with your auditions!

  3. Singers:

    Bring 2 selections of sheet music, 1 up-tempo and 1 ballad, in legible condition.

    Be prepared to sing the best 16 bars.

    Know your vocal range.

    Sheet music should have full musical notation and in the key in which you will perform.

    If audition requires movement, dress appropriately.

    Its 'how do i find my vocal range' a key is when you sing off 'key' your not on pitch. you find your vocal range by listening to yourself sing. can you sing high can you sing low? when you know how far you can sing high and low, that's  your vocal range. alto/soprano is high or low. alto is high, soprano is low. so if you sing high(like most girls) your alto. if you sing low(like most guys) your soprano.

    For books, i recommend The Singing Book, which is found here:

    http://www.amazon.com/Singing-Book-Merib...

    I also recommend On the Art of Singing, which is found here:

    http://www.amazon.com/On-the-Art-of-Sing...

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