How to Pick the Perfect Song: 4 Steps for Simple Success
Whether you’re preparing for an audition, working on a song to sing for a religious or community event, or looking for a new song for personal practice, picking a song can be an exciting, and, sometimes, overwhelming task.
Here are four strategies to consider when picking the perfect song for you.
Step 1: Consider the STYLE of music
Musical Theater. Classical. Spirituals. Blues. Folk Songs. Pop. Jazz. And MORE.
There are dozens of genres of music, and within each genre there are often numerous sub-genres. When selecting the perfect song, consider what style of music would fit the scenario best. A great place to start is with a genre that interests or excites you. Is there a genre you love to sing or a new genre you’ve never explored but always wanted to? If you’re preparing music for a particular event like an audition or performance, consider what style of music would fit that setting or audience well.
Be curious. Don’t be afraid to branch out - you may find something new that you love!
Step 2: Consider the RANGE of the song
The range of a song is how high or low the melody goes. Selecting a song with an appropriate range for your voice will boost your confidence and lead to healthy and comfortable singing. Remember that your range is not only how low or high you can sing, but how low or high you can sing comfortably.
Determine your range.
Your voice teacher can help you determine your comfortable and strongest singing range, but here is a simple exercise to help you explore your range independently:
Beginning in a comfortable spot in the middle of your voice, sing a descending 5-note scale (sol-fa-mi-re-do). Gradually move your starting pitch lower. Note the lowest pitch that you can sing comfortably by matching it with a piano app or pitch pipe. Repeat this exercise with an ascending 5-note scale (do-re-mi-fa-sol) that gradually moves up. Note your highest comfortable note.
*There are also a number of apps and websites that can help you determine your range like Range Finder (app) and My Vocal Range (website).
Find a song that fits your range.
Now that you know your range, look for songs that sit within that range. Some sheet music websites allow you to change the key of the piece, so if the original song lies outside of your range, you may be able to adjust it to fit your voice better. You may also consider if much of the song is in your low, middle, or high range, and your comfort level with where the song sits in your voice.
Step 3: Consider the CHALLENGES of the song
Whether you’re looking for a song you’ll enjoy singing or a song that will stretch you in new ways, it’s important to consider what challenges a particular song may have. Is the accompaniment supportive or independent? Is the song melodic? Are there lots of leaps, runs, or dissonance? Are there any challenging key changes? What’s the rhythm of the piece like?
While none of these should discourage you from selecting a song, finding a song with a good balance of challenge and comfort will inspire confidence and help the learning process.
Step 4: Consider your CONNECTION to the song
There are many objective considerations when picking the perfect song for you, but the subjective considerations can be just as important. Is there a song you connect to emotionally? A melody you particularly love? A composer who you are always excited to sing? When we connect to the song that we’re singing, the process of learning, practicing, and performing becomes all the more enjoyable.
Want more help?
These suggestions are a great starting place, and the voice teachers at WD Studio would love to help you along in the process further. Talk to your teacher or reach out to us for a consultation or trial lesson.