When it comes to auditioning for acting and singing roles, there's a lot of pressure on performers to have the "right" sound. But this can be a slippery slope, as the desire to fit a certain mold can lead to performers distorting their own natural voice and style. We are going to explore why it's essential to stay true to yourself and your natural voice rather than trying to imitate others or adhere to certain expectations.
The Two Components of Your "Sound"
To understand why it's essential to stay true to your natural voice, it's important to first understand what comprises your "sound." There are two main components to your sound: your tone of voice and your style.
Your tone of voice is the unique sound that comes from your own natural speaking and singing voice. This is the sound that is uniquely yours, based on your specific vocal anatomy. Of course, good vocal training can help you to make the most of your voice and improve your technique, but it shouldn't ever make you sound like someone else. Your voice is as unique as your fingerprint, and trying to change it to fit a certain mold can do more harm than good.
The second component of your sound is your style. This refers to the techniques you use to create a specific sound for a particular style of music or character. For example, you might raise your larynx and increase compression for a "rock sound," or use your mix or belt for a more "modern musical theatre" sound. These stylistic choices should be used to enhance your natural voice, not to distort it. By combining your natural voice with your chosen style, you create your unique sound.
The Problem with Imitation
One of the biggest problems that performers encounter when auditioning is the temptation to imitate other singers or performers. Whether it's trying to sound like a popular pop star or attempting to replicate the sound of a famous Broadway actor, this approach can backfire.
When you try to imitate someone else's sound, you run the risk of losing the unique qualities of your own voice. Even if you're a talented mimic, you'll never be able to replicate the sound of someone else's voice perfectly. This can result in a forced or unnatural sound that doesn't truly represent your abilities.
Moreover, focusing too much on trying to imitate a certain sound can distract you from other important aspects of your audition, such as analyzing your acting situations, presenting a confident physical presence, and harnessing your best vocal technique. By trying too hard to fit into a certain mold, you risk missing out on opportunities to showcase your true strengths as a performer.
The Benefits of Staying True to Yourself
In contrast, when you focus on doing justice to the material in a stylistically appropriate way using your natural voice, you free yourself up to showcase your unique strengths as a performer. By staying true to yourself, you're able to present a confident and authentic version of yourself, which can make a strong impression on casting directors and other industry professionals.
Some performers who have minimal vocal training have been successful precisely because they focus on their natural voice and how it can best serve the material at hand. By prioritizing the value of the material and their own strengths as performers, they are able to create a powerful and memorable audition that stands out from the rest.
Of course, this doesn't mean you shouldn't strive to develop your skills and versatility as a performer. By all means, work on developing a belt or a rock mix if those techniques are appropriate for your style or the material you're performing. The key is to focus on developing these techniques in a way that enhances your natural voice rather than distorting it.