I recently booked a spot where I got to SING! I’m always floored when I book opportunities like this because I know I’m going against broadway singers (I’m not near that level)! But let me tell you, it was not my favorite because I made 3 big mistakes. I know better and I still made them, so hopefully this serves as either a reminder (for those seasoned) or a warning (for those just getting started).
For the audition, they just sent lyrics with no music and said, “Sing this in the style of Taylor Swift or Ed Sheeran.” No other copy, just the lyrics.
I used to love writing music, so I came up with 3 different melodies and submitted.
I was so shocked when I booked it.
Leading up to the session, my agent sent me the scripts. It was the original lyrics from my audition plus copy for a :30 and :15.
In all honesty, I started getting nervous. I was going to be working with a New York recording studio that surely has worked with the most incredible singers in the world. Ah!!
I had no idea which melody of the song they wanted from my audition, so I burned into my brain the three different melodies I submitted. I timed them with the script and even thought through a sped up version to fit the :15 spot. I mean, I prepared.
At the start of the session, the engineer and ad agency said, “Did you get the musical track for this?”
Huh? Nope. No, I did not.
That leads to my first mistake…
MISTAKE #1: ASSUMING
I assumed that the client/agency would just have me sing acapella using one of the melodies I came up with.
Instead, I should’ve asked my VO agent “Is there any music to go along with this or did they say which melody they preferred from my audition?” If I had done this, they would’ve been able to send me the music track, I would’ve been able to rehearse it and be ready.
REMINDER: When you book a job, don’t assume you’ve got all the information and material you need. Ask your agent/client to make sure.
I prepared the WRONG melody. I prepared the wrong THREE melodies and at different pacing so I could get it all in. Which was my second mistake…
MISTAKE #2: OVER REHEARSING
It took us the first 30 minutes of the session for them to refigure the timing because I mentioned that even my original audition melodies were coming in around :07 which wasn’t going to work for a :15.
Finally, we got to the music but my brain was so miswired with all the different melodies, I kept messing up. With each mess up, all I could think was I was failing everyone.
I had over rehearsed the WRONG material.
REMINDER: It’s completely understandable to be prepared but when we over rehearse, we run the risk of not being able to be flexible and directable during the session.
Did I mention we only had an hour booked for the session?? We were now 43 minutes in and hadn’t done any of the spoken parts of the scripts. I was getting so anxious. I did a take of the singing and felt like I didn’t get it so I said, “Ugh” right at the end. Which was my third mistake…
MISTAKE #3: VERBALIZING MY MISTAKE
Right after the “ugh” the engineer goes, “Yes, that was it.”
I then thought the take was completely ruined because I added the “ugh” right at the end. Thankfully he was a very talented engineer and was able to take it out.
I knew better but I was so anxious and embarrassed and was watching the time tick away.
When we think we make mistakes, sometimes they’re just in our own minds. Verbalizing a mistake could mess up a take that actually was good.
REMINDER: If we make a mistake, always carry through the sentence, pause, then pick back up at the start of the sentence. Some people will tell you to say, “pickup” prior to starting again. I just pause and start again. If I mess up at the start of a take, I will sometimes say, “starting take 1 again” just for their notes.
To be honest, I was really down on myself after this session. I definitely thought, “I will never audition for a singing role ever again!”
Oh and something I forgot to mention was someone from the agency had worked with me 5 years ago on a campaign. I didn’t want to let him down!
My goal for every booked session is to make the process easier, smoother and less stressful for everyone involved. That sweet engineer had to carry my load on this one, I felt.
BUT…
After taking a day to process it, I gave myself grace (something I’m trying to practice more). And I realized that
1| this will be a great thing to share with you
2| it was a good reminder for myself
3| it made me see what skills are needed for singing in VO projects (which aren’t always the skills you learn in singing lessons)
Just remember – aim for excellence but know that mistakes do happen. The most constructive thing to do with those mistakes is learn from them.