Top 10 Tips for Auditioning On American Idol

Seems to go without saying, but so many people screw this up and ultimately destroy their chances.

Not everybody can sing every song. Know you limitations and pick a song that best exemplifies your strengths without illustrating any weaknesses. You have complete control over your selection so if you can't find a song you can sing perfectly, then there is no reason to believe there are any songs you can sing perfectly and you probably aren't a good candidate for the show.

If you can't hit all the notes in a song, don't try to and don't change the song. Just pick a different one. This is especially true when selecting a well known song. If you start sining A-ha's Take On Me, everyone in the room is going to be waiting in anticipation to see if you can hit that high note. If you aren't able to or change the note to something you can sing, that's going to be the biggest thing everyone takes from the audition.

There are some songs out there that should basically be retired from being covered. Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You come to mind. These are well known songs where one performer has owned the song so thoroughly that no matter who sings it, they will always be compared to the master, and they will always lose.

Other songs in this category include Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers (even the great Bono couldn't come close to matching it), U2's With or Without You, and Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody.

Goes without saying. Whether you didn't rehearse well enough or got stage fright is irrelevant. Forgetting the words is a sure fire way to get shown the door.

Forgetting the lyrics is unprofessional.

You're not going to stand out if you pick the same current top 40 song that everybody else is singing too. After 100 renditions of Miley Cyrus's Party In the U. S. A. , the judges are going to be sick of it. Plus, it makes it look like you have no knowledge of music history which certainly won't help your chances.

Whether or not you agree with the judges doesn't matter. It's their show and you have no say in the matter. Think of your audition as the ultimate job interview and treat the judges accordingly.

If you're on the bubble and the judges want a little more to base their decision off of, they may ask you to sing another song. Make sure you have one and make sure you can nail it. You are so close so don't screw it up.

Also, don't pick one that sounds the exact same as the one you just sang. Pick one that also shows off what you like and what you can do with your voice. It'll show range and versatility.

Vocal runs have their place, but they can also be used to mask the fact that a singer can't hold a note. Make sure you prove the opposite at least somewhere in your performance.

You don't need to hit super high notes. If you can hit well the notes you can, then the judges will appreciate your talent. Not all of us are gospel singers.

This is not the time to show off your song writing skills. It is a virtual certainty that there are thousands of better songs out there than the one you have written. Don't sacrifice your chances of moving on because you are too arrogant to see that.

First off, you'll look like an idiot for arguing with judges that have spent more years in the music industry than you have been alive. Secondly, if you really are Idol material, there is always next year. Unless of course you make a memorable scene. Do you really think the judges are going to give you a fair chance on your next audition if you leave a bad taste this year?

Even though it is a singing competition, your appearance matters. But also take into account that you may be waiting all day for your chance. Wear something you can tolerate being in for hours on end.