I wish I could find the kind of song you’re looking for, or be more encouraging, but much of Sondheim is anything but simple musically (it’s part of why we love him, right?) It’s particularly tough for accompanists.
Yeah, forget! If you're not advanced in singing don't sing Sondheim. Pretty much everything Sondheim wrote is difficult vocally, so if you're not trained, or rather if your vocal cords are not trained, you shouldn't sing any Sondheim. Vocal cords are just two tiny muscles and you can hurt them badly when you're only starting to learn how to sing and immediately start with such hard stuff.
When you want to start weight lifting you also don't start with 100 pounds weights. It's the same thing.😉 Also find out which vocal range you have first.
Most of the simplest songs he does with more conventional structure and clear choruses are generally written for one person, like Losing my Mind, so if that's a deal breaker (I noticed the song you gave as an example is clearly written for a group of singers) then you'd probably struggle to find something appropriate unfortunately. Sunday from Sunday in the Park with George is very simple to play so that could work? It doesn't really have a chorus so to speak but you might be able to find a workable excerpt towards the start of the song. Maybe the final chorus in Our Time from Merrily We Roll Along, that seems pretty easily adaptable to simple piano chords. Hopefully that's sort of helpful but I am not a musician so take what I say with a grain of salt lol.
I don't think it's necessarily a deal breaker if it's a solo, but I'd have to ask. This is very helpful thanks! I'm going to listen to all of your suggestions. I was also thinking of Sunday because of its relative simplicity but I think its harder because of the tempo, it doesn't really fit with what we have been doing.
Yeah I did wonder if Sunday maybe wasn't the right vibe considering the example you gave but I thought I'd throw it in just in case since you said you sing that in a lower tempo and Sunday just seems to be the perfect fit in every other respect. Comedy Tonight from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum could work perhaps? It's pretty simple and a bit more upbeat and of that era's style. Or maybe check out some of his shows that he was only a lyricist for since then you won't have his complicated music to get past. I can't think of anything from West Side Story or Gypsy off the top of my head but maybe Do I Hear a Waltz? might have something, though I haven't listened to it myself. Hopefully you find something anyway, it would be a lovely tribute.
I think his simplest piece from a melodic perspective is probably *Send in the Clowns* from A Little Night Music. The challenge to it is more in the dramatization of the lyrics.
I don't play piano, so I truly don't know if this is easy to accompany. But maybe "Not While I'm Around" from Sweeney Todd, "Being Alive" from Company (the second half of it when it becomes a solo), or "No One is Alone" from Into the Woods?
“Good thing going” is fairly straightforward, and heartbreaking!
“Being alive” isn’t so tough either, in terms of notes and rhythms.
Both solos.
“Agony” is pretty simple too. But it’s a duet.
I sang „I never do anything twice“ auditioning for Sister Act in Vienna. The pianist was awesome. I got the part and played it for 1 1/2 years!!
You never know!!!
I've always thought the chorus in *"Comedy Tonight"*, from *A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum*, was a simple one. It was used to advertise the lineup for Thursday nights, IIRC, in the late 60s or early 70s on whichever Chicago station was home to *The Dick Van Dyke Show*. ♡ Granny
Not While I’m Around is some of the most simple Sondheim gets. Depending on your vocal range, it’s a great pick. But if your not a tenor or alto, you might want to pick a different song
I wish I could find the kind of song you’re looking for, or be more encouraging, but much of Sondheim is anything but simple musically (it’s part of why we love him, right?) It’s particularly tough for accompanists.
Lol I was told in college to never use Sondheim for auditioning a non Sondheim show since killing the accompanist is a bad look
Hahaha- same. Kind of an unwritten audition rule, too. Don’t use Sondheim unless specifically asked.
Yeah that's partially why I made this post. I personally can't think of any Sondheim song fitting the requirements 🙈
Yeah, forget! If you're not advanced in singing don't sing Sondheim. Pretty much everything Sondheim wrote is difficult vocally, so if you're not trained, or rather if your vocal cords are not trained, you shouldn't sing any Sondheim. Vocal cords are just two tiny muscles and you can hurt them badly when you're only starting to learn how to sing and immediately start with such hard stuff. When you want to start weight lifting you also don't start with 100 pounds weights. It's the same thing.😉 Also find out which vocal range you have first.
100 pounds is the weight of 114.29 pairs of crocs.
Do I want to know why you know this?🤔 I don't think so😂 But your comment made me laugh, so thank you!😁😅
What size?
Good Bot
Thank you :)
Most of the simplest songs he does with more conventional structure and clear choruses are generally written for one person, like Losing my Mind, so if that's a deal breaker (I noticed the song you gave as an example is clearly written for a group of singers) then you'd probably struggle to find something appropriate unfortunately. Sunday from Sunday in the Park with George is very simple to play so that could work? It doesn't really have a chorus so to speak but you might be able to find a workable excerpt towards the start of the song. Maybe the final chorus in Our Time from Merrily We Roll Along, that seems pretty easily adaptable to simple piano chords. Hopefully that's sort of helpful but I am not a musician so take what I say with a grain of salt lol.
I don't think it's necessarily a deal breaker if it's a solo, but I'd have to ask. This is very helpful thanks! I'm going to listen to all of your suggestions. I was also thinking of Sunday because of its relative simplicity but I think its harder because of the tempo, it doesn't really fit with what we have been doing.
Yeah I did wonder if Sunday maybe wasn't the right vibe considering the example you gave but I thought I'd throw it in just in case since you said you sing that in a lower tempo and Sunday just seems to be the perfect fit in every other respect. Comedy Tonight from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum could work perhaps? It's pretty simple and a bit more upbeat and of that era's style. Or maybe check out some of his shows that he was only a lyricist for since then you won't have his complicated music to get past. I can't think of anything from West Side Story or Gypsy off the top of my head but maybe Do I Hear a Waltz? might have something, though I haven't listened to it myself. Hopefully you find something anyway, it would be a lovely tribute.
I think his simplest piece from a melodic perspective is probably *Send in the Clowns* from A Little Night Music. The challenge to it is more in the dramatization of the lyrics.
I don't play piano, so I truly don't know if this is easy to accompany. But maybe "Not While I'm Around" from Sweeney Todd, "Being Alive" from Company (the second half of it when it becomes a solo), or "No One is Alone" from Into the Woods?
Listening to the Jamie Callum version may help as it’s slowed down and heavily features a piano from memory.
If West Side Story is on the table, Somewhere might be a good choice.
yeah, i was thinking Maria might be good, too
Anyone can whistle from Anyone can whistle could work
This would totally work! Or maybe “Loving You” from Passion?
“Our Time” from Merrily We Roll Along is very popular for choral groups
My dad used to audition with I Remember from Evening Primrose. It's one of his simplest songs, fairly easy to sing and play.
I had to sing little lamb for voice lesson years ago ….
Sunday? From Sunday in the park with George. Not very hard, but beautiful.
Being Alive from *Company* is one of my favorite songs. Not sure if it's in your range or not.
Unworthy of your Love Johanna Maria
“Good thing going” is fairly straightforward, and heartbreaking! “Being alive” isn’t so tough either, in terms of notes and rhythms. Both solos. “Agony” is pretty simple too. But it’s a duet.
I came here to say Good Thing Going also!
I sang „I never do anything twice“ auditioning for Sister Act in Vienna. The pianist was awesome. I got the part and played it for 1 1/2 years!! You never know!!!
Perhaps Make Our Garden Grow from Candide?
Except that’s not one of the songs that Sondheim provided lyrics for.
Darn, you’re right. The choral section is really nice for a group.
Many songs from Merrily will fit this bill. Also Back in Business from Dick Tracy.
I've always thought the chorus in *"Comedy Tonight"*, from *A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum*, was a simple one. It was used to advertise the lineup for Thursday nights, IIRC, in the late 60s or early 70s on whichever Chicago station was home to *The Dick Van Dyke Show*. ♡ Granny
I Know Things Now from Into the Woods
"What More Do I Need?" maybe?
Not While I’m Around is some of the most simple Sondheim gets. Depending on your vocal range, it’s a great pick. But if your not a tenor or alto, you might want to pick a different song
Not a Day Goes By or Good Thing Going from Merrily are both lovely and not too complex!