2Feb09 – Hollywood Week Day 1

Comment #1 – Song Choice.

I’m always telling my students that the songs they choose to sing are very important. Just because you like a song, doesn’t mean it fits you. Just because you like an artist, doesn’t mean a song of theirs will bring ‘you’ out in the right way. In addition… we need to understand that the key we choose to sing a song in needs to work for our voice. Songs are like slacks, they should be adjusted to fit. But even once they are adjusted to fit your voice, you need to ask… ‘does it show off my musicality, does it show my range, does it allow me to show my agility and strength?’

Comment #2 – Common Sense.

So, you make it through to the next round in the most important audition of your life. And you come out screaming and yelling. You get together with other folks who made it through and yell some more. Gee, don't you have to do it all again the next day? Don't you think you should be protecting your vocal chords? Don’t you think the stress you’ve been under has affected your instrument?

What you need at this point is:

-water. It’s very important to stay hydrated

-healthy food. – fruits, vegetables, low fat protein. No caffeine or alcohol or soft drinks.

-sleep. – crucial for your voice to bounce back after the stress of the day. Crucial for your psyche to recover from the stress of the day and what is to follow.

-focus. – as soon as you get that ‘yes’, your whole focus should be how best to prepare for day two, and that means finding a quiet space to regroup, eating, and getting some rest.

JMHO.