Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Pianist Corner Singing- what to do in this situation

I am going to be a piano performance major, but my school requires that I participate in the Choral ensemble. I have to "audition", just so they see where to fit me according to my voice.

I have never sung, and I have absolutely no idea how to properly do it. They told me to select a song, to audition with. What is something easy to do, that I can play in tune with the correct pitch?

First, it really depends on how high your voice is. I have no idea where your range is, but I would guess probably a lower range? Baritone or Bass? However, if you think you can manage an E above middle C, then I would go for "Panis Angelicus" by César Franck. It is a fantastic piece, and very simple. You may even find yourself getting passionate about it while singing!

Let me know what you think your range is, and I may be able to provide you with some more suggestions.

Can you accompany the ensemble? That would count as participation, no? I guess you would have asked that already. In any case, just close your eyes, and let 'er rip! As to what you can sing, what about some Gesualdo? The dynamics are rather subdued, and you could use those frequent episodes in which the melody flows within a limited range, due to some chromatic symbolism.

I know I sing at least down to a G, the 2nd lowest on the piano, that I know for sure. I am pretty sure I can go much lower though, I just have not tried it exactly. My piano is going out of tune, so sometimes its annoying to try and sing with it!

Well, how high can you go without stretching your voice, and becoming uncomfortable?

Also, do you know how to use your falsetto and head voice?

To answer all three of your questions at once: I do not know.

How would I go about doing those last 2? I think I can sing, at the highest, somewhere in the middle, maybe between C and A.

Wow, that's a tough question. I am by no means a vocal instructor... but here's what I can say...

With your hand on your chest, sing a low note, and a middle-range note. The vibration is in your chest. This is known as your chest voice.

A male vocalist can also move into a higher range, that resonates mostly in the throat and feels like it is centered around the forehead, or, as a studier of new-age meditation may put it, from the "third-eye", one of the main chakra. That is a different story. Point is, this is known as falsetto. It is an extremely difficult idea to explain.

An experienced vocalist can also have another high resonance between the falsetto and chest voice, a resonance that vibrates mainly in the throat and upper chest, and feels like it is centered more from the area between your nose and mouth. This is generally regarded as the head voice. However, this is a somewhat advanced concept, and I (even though I have been studying voice for a while) am still mastering it.

You should try experimenting by yourself. Put your hand on your chest and your throat, and sing different notes, and see if you can notice a transition between your chest voice and your falsetto (because there is a definite transition). Try singing some notes above the A you mentioned. Like a B or C above middle C. It may buzz a bit in your head, but that's good. That means you're in your falsetto.

Of course, if you could sing that high in your chest voice, then you would probably have one of the largest ranges around!

So I would suggest, if you can truly sing as high as you stated, checking out the Franck "Panis Angelicus" I mentioned. It is quite easy, and profoundly beautiful.

Also, how long until you have to audition???

If you would like to get ahold of me and chat with me more about it, my e-mail is in my profile, and I have MSN Messenger.

Good luck!

Thank you very much, your knowledge is greatly appreciated. I have until September or so, which should be enough time to at least learn something. They don't want to hear me as a soloist, just as long as I can accompany everything else.

Do you have instant messanger? I don't have the microsoft one.

Which instant messenger?

I have only MSN, but I would glady get another to help you.

AIM, or aol instant messanger. You do not have to go through the trouble if you don't with too!

I would gladly do it to help a musician!

Thing is, I think you probably have to have AOL to get the messenger. I don't have AOL.

Maybe you could set up an MSN Passport (you could get one at www.hotmail.com ) account just for the messenger, and download the messenger, which I believe is not terribly large.

Then you could add me to your list using my e-mail.

Of course, you don't have to go through all that if you don't want to!

You don't need aol, anyone can get it. Just search for "AIM" at www.cnet.com

OK. Downloading. What do I do to add you to my list once I get it?

Just my nickname, its " rondocap00 "

Once again, thanks a bunch!

Well, I downloaded it, but I need AOL to use it.

Now what?

Maybe not; hold on...

Nope, you still don't need aol! All you need to do is create a name, it allows you too. Since you don't have one, just see where it allows you to be a new user.

Just suck it up and pick anything; it doesn't really matter. They'll stick you in an ensemble that is run by choral conducting majors (for them to practice and get performance experience) and it will be a total waste of time for you.

I had to do it for 2 years in undergrad and it sucked, but it was either that or lose my scholarship. They usually won't let you accompany, either.

Maybe you should try "September Song." It was written for Walter Huston, who, when Weill asked wbout what sort of voice and range he had, replied, "No voice, No range."

Remember that Chopin insisted that his students study singing, not necessarily to be able to do, but to know how to shape a line. It is still good advice.