Never confuse talent with the applause of intoxicated people at a Karaoke bar. 

I have great singers who come every week after long hard day jobs, because they know that the more they learn, the better they will be. I have single mothers who have scraped for money to fund lessons for a child’s aspirations because they knew it was important.

Yet other students are now recording, and ready to be signed by a label. They still come every week or twice-weekly because they know they need to build stamina and refine their technique. If they make it to the next level, success at performances and concerts won’t just happen automatically. It will need continual coaching an ongoing honest evaluation

A Mother Is Not A Coach

One mother who insisted her daughter do a difficult song from “West Side Story” for an audition. The girl could not even grasp the concept of the lyric or the degree of difficulty of the music. I staunchly recommended another song be chosen. The mother insisted and we parted ways.

A vocal coach needs to be included in the choice of an audition song. It is that ability, among others, you are paying for.

Singing Lessons Aren’t A Trip To Disneyland

If you have a large family, and the younger ones have to wait a year for their turn, in order for you to supply the gifted one with every tool possible, you must set your priorities to give the older child the proper training, or it will wither from neglect.

There is rarely measurable improvement, when a student takes lessons every other month or every 3-4 weeks. It takes study as if one  were learning an instrument. No piano or guitar teacher, teacher would take someone twice a month, because there would likely be no real progress.

Time of day matters

Bring a child to an 8 pm lesson and they are tired, exhausted. How can they absorb and retain the lesson content. Saturday? That’s usually play-day, and it’s difficult to focus on lessons. Well, if Saturday is play-day, parents may be sending mixed-signals to their aspiring child. If weekdays ARE the only time, then make sure the child naps and does not eat before a lesson. It’s important to be alert.

My Saturdays were, jazz, tap, and ballet. My entire childhood was lessons. I could play on Sunday, ride my bike, go to the park.

Lesson Frequency and Persistent Practice Matter

If a student has any true professional aspirations, a good teacher, won’t be comfortable with seeing them twice a month (except in rare situations).  The really good coach is hard to find. I know, because I have students who have been to many before me, and moved on from frustration.

That type of teacher doesn’t offer the foundation skill and nurturing a student needs to progress. One can vocalize at home, but you cannot be your own coach or director. It requires a neutral observer and coach to move you along, point out poor phrasing and breathing mistakes. Read my post on “What you should expect from a vocal coach.”

No YouTube is better than Bad YouTube

I have coached some singers who take a couple of lessons, disappear, then post YouTube videos, and tout me as their coach.

I discourage anyone from posting YouTube videos, unless they are original, studio recorded songs.

I would like these people to take my name off the videos, but I can only ask. I can’t compel them.

Occasionally I get it wrong. I have taken on a few students twice a month and should not have. They did not get the progress my other students got.

I no longer accept hobbyist singers as students

If this is a hobby, then I will not take on that person as a student. If one serious (as an adult or parent, for a child)  you will find a way… cut out a dinner out, whatever it takes, taking voice is a serious endeavor, and potentially life-changing experience.

Taking the stage on Karaoke night is fools gold. The applause of friends, family, and patrons is temporarily good for the ego. Don’t confuse that with reality.

A person with sincere aspirations and drive needs quality coaching and the truth about what it takes.

Aspiring students are always welcome. Reality checks occasionally given… This post would be a reality check

This is a great example of a young woman with a bit of talent, posting a YouTube video. Not ready for prime time. Just because you can post to YouTube, doesn’t make it a good idea.

Jessica Marciel
Las Vegas Vocal Training

So, if you have procrastinated about WHAT you will audition with, How you will handle it, or if you will do it online, it is time to get on it.

Every year  I get last minute singers who want a two week crash course in audition expertise. I’m not going to tell you that you should have been coming to me for months now, but , some people have thought of it, and they are ready.

Between America’s Got Talent, The X Factor (in 2011), American Idol, and finally YouTube, you have the venues and the visability to get noticed. So don’t just stand there, or, if you are sitting, go on, Get on You Tube, I tunes, figure it out. What singers songs makes you a better you? What shows off your range and your personality. what will dazzle them?

Number one rule of advice: Video yourself. look at how they will see you. Get others to chime in on how you are doing. No, not mom and dad, someone objective. So, if you don’t go to a pro for help and plan on a do it yourself crash course, your time is NOW!  See you  in Hollywood, don”t sign anything with anyone, that town will swallow you whole.

Jessica Marciel
Las Vegas Vocal Training

In the winter I get alot of American Idol hopefuls. I haven’t had a bad one yet. I get amazing people come to me, and I am grateful for the website. Thank you Andy Ebon, master of websites in mine, and many other minds.

It’s true,  I have truly  amazing students. but the dreaded audition, the pain and humiliation, it is an art.

I have auditioned so many times in my life, I have to believe I learned alot over the years.

At the age of 12 i sat across from the CEO of Capitol Records and sang with my guiter that I stummed badly, and got my first recording contract for 6 sides, that is 3 single records. Remember records, no you probably heard of them though.

The first most important thing is to find a song that makes you stand out. A song that will show your strengths, and if is  too long,, start at the bridge and shoot for the coda.

You have to get their attention right away and hold it all the way through.  One way to do that, is to choose a song that you have passion for, one you love and  feel sure about.

You  now have to paste and cut the song to 16 bars. That is the hard part, because you need to show your range and emotions..

You have to believe the song. You are a story teller. You must be so involved in your song, that the people in the room do not matter anymore. Do your thing and draw them in. If you really sincere, they will come with you, on your 16 bar journey.

Then, you must choose an alternate song,, in case they want more.  Most of the time they know right away if you are what they are looking for.  They have someone in mind, Do not , I repeat, do not take rejection personally. I mean it, if you have faith, and you are good, you are just the wrong type for this particular show.

When you walk into the audition, be confident, walk straight, be nice to all the other people there to audition.

When you go up to the stage or go  into the room, whatever it is, make sure that before, you have gone somewhere quiet to relax, and meditate or whatever works for you. In my classes, I use relaxation exercises  before we start the lesson, to have  them focus and be in the groove and get the work done. You can,t be distracted, you need to separate  your complicated life and  give the song respect.

So, in short, the song, the respect for others, the focus, and get into the whole mood of the song. Choose wisely,  someone should

write a book with great audition songs. It would be so much easier, and we wouldn’t have to hear Black Velvet every year on American  Idol!

Good Luck and go get em!

Where is he now??? probably touring.

I am going to have to reserve my blog for the finals, when truly deserving people are given a chance. I think it,s time for a new concept on this 9 year old show.

It is torture for me and hard to think of the people that did not get a chance for funny pants guy to get on instead. So, i will be blogging about the industry, my years on the road, from a U-Haul to a private plane, and Limo.

I think that will be more fun.

Rock On