digisabio

Those high notes really speak to the audience, that's true. However, they are becoming more and more a "commodity". That means, you see people "screaming", like you said, everywhere, all the time. Even though there is actually a lot of space for those "acrobactics" (and I am a huge fan of it), it has to be on the right moment, not too "over the top". It has to be the "icing on the cake", not the whole cake. Singers "misuse" and "overuse" this ability most of the time. Harry Connick Jr. had some great remarks about that on the last American Idol's season. HoboSage made a great point about originality, though it's really hard to ask a 13 year old singer to already have an established style, that she can project into every song. Still, that's something I think you should always take into account: doesn't matter what the song is, it has to be "yours". Be comfortable and be confident about what you are doing and you will be able to make it work. Good luck with everything and I hope you can do great on the show!

Well, I guess it depends a lot on the talent show's format and on what you are planning to achieve. If we are talking about something like an Idol or The Voice, where they search for recording artists, we are talking about really experienced producers that are looking not "just" for great voices, but for "characters" as a whole. If that's the case, the best "advice" I can give you is: be yourself, even though that may not sound that helpful. Choose the song you are most comfortable with, the one you like singing the most, the one where you like hearing you voice the most. You seem, from your videos, to be very comfortable on stage. So, I don't think you should worry too much about which song, and, instead, make sure you can sound, look and feel as close as you can to the singer you want to be in the future. If it's a talent show for younger people, around your age, I don't think they will be looking for someone who sees music as a "profession", who thinks too much into it; but rather someone who honestly loves what she is doing and who has a lot of potential and will to grow. So, don't worry too much about what others may think (if it's catchy, or dynamic, or shows range...) and make sure you do what you think is the best version of yourself. You have to love what you are doing before anything else. I guess that's the best shot any young singer has to catch the attention. Not sure how much that will help you, since I didn't actually suggest anything song-wise. But that is my honest opinion.

1. Do you sing, play an instrument or instruments? What instruments? Keyboard, Cavaquinho (a brazilian instrument) and Harmonica. I'm a beginner in all of them, though. When did you start playing? I started learning keyboard almost a year ago, after years of wait/postponing. I was 23 then and it was the first instrument I started learning. I've been playing with the cavaquinho since January and I try to get something going in the Harmonica whenever I have some time left. Did you teach yourself? Yes, but with the precious help of Youtube videos. 2. Are you in a band or bands? No. I wish I did back in school. 3. Do you write songs? Do you write lyrics, music or both? Both. My lyrics are more "professional". I have some great ideas for music as well (actually, both things usually come together for me), but my lack of experience with instruments make it hard to play/express what my mind is creating. That is the main thing I've been working on recently. Do you have a writing partner? No, but I really liked every single time I wrote a song with someone else. 4. Do you record your music? Do you use a home studio? If so what gear do you use? / Do you use a recording studio? No. I'm a terrible singer and my music software knowledge is really basic. Do you have music available on the web? if so where? My Youtube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/digisabio) has two songs I wrote (together with some partners), which participated in regional song contests. I also have a recorded commercial song avaliable for listening in Youtube: All of them are in the samba genre, written in brazilian portuguese. They are sung by a friend of mine, who is a professional samba singer, currently making his commercial debut. 5. What other roles do you perform in the music business? Management? Label owner? Publishing? Promotion? Other? None. 6. Are you a tech head? No. 7. What country do you live in? Brasil. 8. What are your ambitions? I have been writing songs in the samba genre, recently, and that makes me really happy. But I listen to a lot of different styles of music, from J-Pop to Eastern European music, so I want to work with other genres and cultures, with singers and musicians from other countries. I also plan to improve my instrument playing, so I can get better at expressing my music (and not only my lyrics). 9. Do you draw/paint/write stories/computer art/dance or other creative pursuit? What are your pastimes? Visual arts are definitely my weakness. But I like writing and I do that quite often. 10. What would you like to get out of Songstuff? I hope I can get to know and work with the songwriters, singers, musicians and producers here. I would like to work in different projects, any genre, any style. Right now, lyrics are what I can offer most of time (in portuguese or english, or even spanish or french, if working together with a native speaker who can double check it), but I hope soon I'll be able to provide music in a more "professional" level, as well. My goal, in the end, is to share experiences, keep the learning process going and create some great music.