<p>Hello everyone! I was just wondering, could you switch the song's Key for your audition? So it's more comfortable for you to sing it? </p>
<p>Sent from my LS670 using CC</p>
<p>^^ Extensive discussion of this on thread about three down from this one. Also do a search (try “transposing”) on the forum.</p>
<p>Usually not a good idea. See those other threads and we hope you are doing ok in Brooklyn!</p>
<p>Switching keys informs the auditors, “I cannot hit those notes” - bad idea - pick a song that is in a key that you can comfortably sing.</p>
<p>Okay thanks I got it! And thank you for your concern! Brooklyn is recovering :)</p>
<p>Sent from my LS670 using CC</p>
<p>I disagree.</p>
<p>Frankly, I’m skeptical that any of the auditors will have perfect pitch and can tell if you take a song up a third or down a third. The “original key” of musical theatre songs is usually based entirely on the exact range of the original cast member. In revivals, songs are transposed all the time.</p>
<p>When you buy sheet music online you usually also get the capability to transpose the music. As long as you transpose it into a fairly standard key, nobody will know or care. On the other hand, if it ends up with five sharps for your chosen key, the pianist will not be able to do his or her best at sightreading your music. Likewise, this is why one is often discouraged from doing Sondheim at auditions unless you’re bringing your own pianist!</p>
<p>I’m with you, prodesse. (I will say that although auditors may not always have perfect pitch, transposing a song as much as a third will be pretty obvious to most of them, if it’s a song they are familiar with.) However, I agree that adjusting a song to fit your voice is not necessarily a no-no, if it’s a song you can really deliver well. Sometimes just a small adjustment of a half or full-step can make a huge difference. It’s a very common practice in professional auditions and professional productions, so why wouldn’t it be acceptable at college auditions as well?</p>
<p>In fact, many song selection books have already transposed some of the songs. For example, I have three books with the song “Honey Bun” from South Pacific. Each book has the song in a different key! Sometimes the piano arrangements vary too.</p>
<p>In general, I think making slight changes in key to accommodate your voice would be okay. However, I would suggest that you avoid making drastic changes; changing a tenor song to a bass song, for example, could change the character of the song and would not be a good idea.</p>