While watching Hollywood Week on American Idol recently, I was struck by how poorly prepared some of these singers are. Honestly, one guy complained "I don't do groups!" Hello, haven't you watched the show? If you make it that far (and with that kind of attitude, I doubt it), singing in a group is mandatory.
So, as a long-time watcher of the show, here are some armchair hints from the audience for would-be Idol auditioners.
Hint #1: Ask for criticism long before you audition. Find a music teacher to critique your singing and take lessons if you have to. However, if several teachers have said you can't carry a tune in a bucket, believe them and forget singing as a career choice. Your friends and family may be saying you are wonderful either because they don't want to hurt your feelings or because they can't hear flat, off-key notes either! If you feel that music is your life but you learn that your singing is beyond help, then maybe you were meant to play an instrument instead.
Hint #2: join a choir. You must be able to sing with and get along with other singers and do harmony, or Group Week will stop you in your tracks. And the best way to learn that is in a choir of some kind. It doesn't matter whether it's a church group or barbershoppers or the school glee club, and it doesn't matter whether the music being sung is "your style". The whole point is to learn how to sing with other people.
Hint #3: learn to sing different kinds of music from different eras. If you are a country singer, you can't just sing country, or you haven't got a prayer of advancing. You need to be versatile to move forward on this show.
Hint #4 find places to sing in front of audiences and on stage as much as you can, even if you have to do it for free! If you panic in front of a crowd or when you are up on a stage looking down, you won't make it through, no matter how good your voice is.
Hint #5: lose the attitude. Confidence is one thing. Snootiness and a know-it-all attitude will get you nowhere. For proof watch Group Week and see how many people have trouble finding a group. (See also Hints #2 and 3.)
Hint #6: don't diss the judges and the program and the show's staff, especially if you plan to try out again next year. They have long memories for bad behaviour.
Hint #7: leave the funny costumes at home. They may get you noticed, but not in a good way!
Hint #8: if at some point you are sent home, don't beg. That looks really immature, and it won't change anyone's mind. Professionals don't beg, and you want to be professional, otherwise you wouldn't be auditioning, would you?
Hint #9: you will sing better if you are rested. If you stay up all night rehearsing, you could A. get so tired that you get sick; B. over-use your voice and lose it; or C. forget the words to the song because your brain is on overdrive and your body is exhausted from little or no sleep.
Hint #10: don't pin all your hopes and dreams on American Idol! There are many ways to break into the music business. If you make it to Hollywood Week, you know that you have a real shot at success if you work hard. Take advantage of all the training and experience the show gives you. Even if you go home in the first cut, look at the bright side: you have been seen, you have been heard, and you have learned a lot of new skills to help you make a career in music.
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