<p>Hi, I was just wondering if transposing a song for an audition is one of those "no-no" things? I'm not talking about anything really drastic, just thinkinf of transposing a song or part of a song down about a half a step. Will anyone really notice? I'd really appreciate some feedback, thanks so much!</p>
<p>We've discussed this issue before, Lucie, but the short answer is that it's fine to transpose songs for college auditions. It obviously wouldn't be for a professional audition where the auditors are asking for a song from the show. But in a college audition situation, you actually should choose the key that works best for your voice.</p>
<p>I figured if they were asking for a particular song it wouldn't be acceptable, but I'm glad I know what the deal is for college. thanks so much for answering!</p>
<p>I don't know if I'm remembering correctly, but I was interested in this issue also and believe someone recommended a not too-drastic key change -- something like a half-step would be OK?</p>
<p>Lucie- Usually it is alright to transpose a song. I'm actually transposing BOTH of my audition songs this year. One down a step and the other down a half step. I'm a baritone, and the songs are more of a tenor selection. But what you DON'T want to do is transpose anything that is well known. For example, I could not walk into an audition singing "Maria" from West Side and sing it down a step. Not only would Bernstein turn over in his grave, but the auditors would probably be irritated since Maria is such a well known song, and anyone singing it is basically saying by choosing the song "Yeah, thats right. I'm a fierce tenor." So if they don't see a fierce tenor, I think they'd be caught of gaurd, and would not appreciate your choice. So hopefully you are not singing anything from Millie or other over done musicals. But for standards and lesser known songs (my uptempo is from a lesser known Gershwin musical) it's no big deal :o)</p>
<p>Crap...I actually was going to sing something from Millie as an uptempo. My ballad is really obscure though, so I thought it would be ok.</p>
<p>Yeah dude, for the past 2 years (since the vocal score has been released) SOOOO many girls have sung Millie. To me, I just don't think you can win with it for several reasons. #1- Since so many girls have sang it, and probably will sing it the same day you audition, you will automatically be compared to someone who may have done the song more justice. #2- There are SO many other songs out there that nobody is singing. By singing Millie, I feel like auditors will think you did not spend alot of time finding the right song for you, or that you are not familiar with any other types of rep other than what's most popular. Last but not least, singing something they have heard hundreds of times (and probably for the 3rd or 4th time that day) will automatically turn them off a little. I know I'm turned off everytime I hear someone sing Jimmy at an audition unless they can somehow deliver it better than Sutton, which is never the case. Surprise them! Make their ears perk up with a new fresh sound that has an interpretation that is all your own</p>
<p>transposition is fine, as long as it's marked correctly and you know how it is going to sound.</p>
<p>also, if it's a song that one of the music staff knows really well, they might notice that it's transposed, in which case they might have you do some scales to test your range.</p>
<p>good luck!</p>
<p>Just thought I would add my two cents to this subject...this response is from the perspective of a pianist and vocal coach</p>
<pre><code> I hope I understand the question correctly.
</code></pre>
<ol>
<li><p>Most every song in a vocal selection book or anthology is in a different key than the actual Musical Score. Most of the vocal selection books are in a lower key.</p>
<p>99 percent of the time, playing from a score is going to be much more challenging for the pianist than playing from a vocal selection book. This should be considered. Taking in a song that has five sharps is more challenging to the pianist than taking in a piece that has one flat. Of course there are always going to be schools that have brilliant pianists there, that can play anything. You can't count on that.</p></li>
<li><p>If you are planning on using a song, and neither the key from the score or the key from the vocal selecitons is right for you, that may be a big clue to choose another song. I totally agree with the post above. Old Man River was written for a Bass... don't transpose it up and sing it if you are a tenor. It's not going to work.</p></li>
<li><p>If you decide you really need the song transposed.... neither the score or the vocal selection works for you.... make sure it is done professionally!
I personally don't think a hand written transposition is acceptable, unless it is impeccable. There aren't that many people around anymore who can transpose by hand and make the music readable. Transposing and notating music by hand is an artform that is disappearing. </p>
<p>The Good News is....There are software programs available that transpose. That is your best bet. You just have to find someone who has the software.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>The bottom line is always bring in music that is NEAT, READABLE, THE PAGES ARE IN THE RIGHT ORDER, THE PAGES WONT FALL APART and everything is NOTATED WELL. Also practise what you are going to tell the piano player before you start singing! That is so important.</p>
<p>I hope this helps. </p>
<p>As always Good Luck!</p>
<p>To add to what Tom has said (beautifully ;) ) - </p>
<p>Make sure when you tranpose a song that the key that is best for your voice, in addition to not changing the general vocal range of the song, is a PLAYABLE key - not millions of accidentals! Sometimes it takes playing around with a knowledgable pianist/vocal coach to get the best marriage of "good for your voice" and "playable key."</p>
<p>And like ken said, be prepared to justify to a college auditor why you transposed the song...which can show you oof to be a knowledgeable and thoughtful musician! :)</p>
<p>I was wondering if it is acceptable to sing a song that was orginally a duet as a solo for an audition. Specifically, I was looking at Let's Make Believe We're in Love and Almost Paradise from Footloose and Forever Yours from Once on This Island. I wouldn't be using all of these, but I was just wondering if I should even count them as possibilities. Thanks!</p>
<p>Coach C, you're saying if they ask you why you transposed it, they wont think it reflects poorly upon you if you tell them it suits your voice better? In other words, it wont count as a penalty?</p>
<p>Nope, not if:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>You haven't tried to avoid a specific and well-known "money note" (as in changing the rock tenor song "Pity the Child" from CHESS to avoid the high D - that crazy high range is what the song is known for!)</p></li>
<li><p>You can explain the choice intelligently, with a clear grasp of musicianship.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>If you are unsure of whether your song would be looked at "suspiciously" if transposed, best to ask an MT audition rep expert!</p>
<p>Just a suggestion, I get a lot of my music digitally (just print it off at home), and with many sites there are options where you can experiment with different keys. Something else to consider.</p>
<p>Yeah, thats actually what I used! What a great idea! I can't believe I hadn't heard about it from other ppl before i found it! It's really great...especially because its so inexpensive.</p>
<p>By the way, thanks so much to everyone for being so helpful. Non theater ppl just don't know how un-stressful their college process is compared to us theater folk! haha! You guys have answers for everything.</p>
<p>If I was an auditioner and someone dared to mess with Pity the Child, there would be consequences! :eek:</p>
<p>CoachC (or anyone else who'd like to chime in) - what sort of explanation for transposing would be acceptable? Thankfully I've never been asked for a reason at any auditions for shows :)</p>
<p>A quick word about talking to the accompanist before performing your selections...
It's a good idea to sing the first few bars of each of your songs quietly for the accompanist as part of your instructions. This is one of the most effective and clear ways to communicate your performance intentions to a musician.</p>
<p>Best of luck to all!
Michele</p>
<p>It is usually okay to sing one part of a duet. Most schools don't want you to sing the entire song, anyway, so singing the section that is appropriate to you can work.</p>
<p>I don't know that I would suggest using those particular songs for an audition, however. Most schools would rather hear standard MT rep. Footloose is a little too pop (it was a movie and a pop album first). Once on this Island might be okay, but you would want your contrast piece to be something more standard.... think 1930s - 1960s.</p>
<p>Christeap,
What sites do you recommend for printing the sheet music off at home. ANd for key changes?
Thanks.</p>
<p>Try musicnotes.com</p>