Finding and Cutting Songs

In this module, we will discuss how (and where) to look for well-written, under-performed songs, and how to properly cut them to show your best in a college audition.

Terminology

• Audition Cut: A 1-2 minute monologue from a play, or short (16-bar) and long (32-bar) portions of a song.
• Bell Tone: The starting note you ask the pianist to give you before you sing.
• Belt: References a singer who sings in a more chest voice dominant manner.
• Belt/Mix: This is a contemporary term that references a singer who is able to balance the chest and head voice depending on what the repertoire requires.
• Coda: A musical section that musically and lyrically wraps up a song.
• Legato: Playing or singing in a smooth flowing manner, without breaks between notes.
• Legit: References a singer who has what has been considered a more classical approach to singing.
• Passaggio: Italian for passageway, the place where you transition from chest voice to head voice.
• Range: How high and low you can comfortably sing.
• Refrain: Another term for the chorus of a song.
• Tessitura: The area of your voice where the majority of a song sits.
• Verse: An introduction to a song.
• Voice Type: The classification of your voice based on your vocal range.

Related Expenses

Sheet music, voice lessons, audition coach, and accompaniment tracks.