Going over 16 bars

Starsweeper · Going over 16 bars

Is going a little over the sixteen bar requirement acceptable, or will the CD notice and be annoyed? I'm having a really hard time cutting this song I want to sing and I was thinking of singing 20 bars of it instead of the sixteen. Is this an OK thing to do? Thanks!

broadwaybelle22

The CDs, at least in my experience, do not have a copy of your music and are not counting out every single measure. I say just add the 4 more bars, it's really not going to change much.

MaryMag

I've gone as long as 22 bars on one song and the CDs haven't minded.

QuaxoCoricopat

While the CD may not know exactly how many measures, a lot of times they're thinking 16 bars = 30 seconds, and may cut you off at 30 seconds if it doesn't sound like you're going to stop.

Also, it may just be me, but I think it's rude to deliberately go over the limit if you've been told not to. They pick sixteen bars because they think they're going to be short on time. If eight people go over by two bars a piece, then there is one person they didn't see.

MsDivaKate

I'd say going over by four bars isn't a big deal as long as they aren't particularly long, drawn out bars. I mean I've gone over 16 bars loads of times by 2 bars or so just because a note carried over at the end of the 16th bar. Honestly it happens a lot and its fine. They aren't counting measure for measure, as long as you're not singing 30 bars at a 16 bar audition, its fine.

itsaboutonemoment

Yeah, going over a few bars is completely and totally accepted if you're trying to finish a musical thought. 16 bars is a good average number because usually (not always, I know!), but usually, most songs have that 4/4 time feel and can express a thought in those 2 counts of 8 measures. So that's why the average is "16 bars." However, I have a best 16 that's only 13 bars, and I have another that's 17 bars. It would be silly to sing three extra measure with the first one, it would be coming right in the middle of a sentence. And to cut off one of my measures with the second? Hello!!!!!! I would have an incomplete thought and look silly. Not every song in the world can have a perfect 16 measure cutting. The point is for it to feel like a short, average 20-30 seconds, complete thought, part of a song. Smile

jazzygirlsings

You're all correct. I would say it's around 30 seconds of music...either uptempo or ballad...doesn't matter...

HOWEVER...I have been to auditions where the MD is a total jerk and will just STOP PLAYING altogether after 16 bars. These are generally people you wouldn't want to work with, anyway...

So it does happen, but RARELY! Just be prepared with a shorter cut- ALWAYS...better to be over prepared is what I say! Smile

Chevstriss

I've actually had accompanists count and say "but this is 18!!" my response is OK we'll stop at 16 then.

Starsweeper	Going over 16 bars Is going a little over the sixteen bar requirement acceptable, or will the CD notice and be annoyed? I'm having a really hard time cutting this song I want to sing and I was thinking of singing 20 bars of it instead of the sixteen. Is this an OK thing to do? Thanks!
broadwaybelle22	The CDs, at least in my experience, do not have a copy of your music and are not counting out every single measure. I say just add the 4 more bars, it's really not going to change much.
MaryMag	I've gone as long as 22 bars on one song and the CDs haven't minded.
QuaxoCoricopat	While the CD may not know exactly how many measures, a lot of times they're thinking 16 bars = 30 seconds, and may cut you off at 30 seconds if it doesn't sound like you're going to stop. Also, it may just be me, but I think it's rude to deliberately go over the limit if you've been told not to. They pick sixteen bars because they think they're going to be short on time. If eight people go over by two bars a piece, then there is one person they didn't see.
MsDivaKate	I'd say going over by four bars isn't a big deal as long as they aren't particularly long, drawn out bars. I mean I've gone over 16 bars loads of times by 2 bars or so just because a note carried over at the end of the 16th bar. Honestly it happens a lot and its fine. They aren't counting measure for measure, as long as you're not singing 30 bars at a 16 bar audition, its fine.
itsaboutonemoment	Yeah, going over a few bars is completely and totally accepted if you're trying to finish a musical thought. 16 bars is a good average number because usually (not always, I know!), but usually, most songs have that 4/4 time feel and can express a thought in those 2 counts of 8 measures. So that's why the average is "16 bars." However, I have a best 16 that's only 13 bars, and I have another that's 17 bars. It would be silly to sing three extra measure with the first one, it would be coming right in the middle of a sentence. And to cut off one of my measures with the second? Hello!!!!!! I would have an incomplete thought and look silly. Not every song in the world can have a perfect 16 measure cutting. The point is for it to feel like a short, average 20-30 seconds, complete thought, part of a song.
jazzygirlsings	You're all correct. I would say it's around 30 seconds of music...either uptempo or ballad...doesn't matter... HOWEVER...I have been to auditions where the MD is a total jerk and will just STOP PLAYING altogether after 16 bars. These are generally people you wouldn't want to work with, anyway... So it does happen, but RARELY! Just be prepared with a shorter cut- ALWAYS...better to be over prepared is what I say!
Chevstriss	I've actually had accompanists count and say "but this is 18!!" my response is OK we'll stop at 16 then.

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Going over 16 bars