American Idol Auditions 2012

The list of dates and places for American Idol auditions comes out every year. Last year's auditions, for season 11, ran from June to August at venues all over the country. If you didn’t get to an audition then, there’s a chance they'll be back somewhere near you for next season's round.

Check out the show's official website to pick up the PDF download that explains the audition process and lists dates and venues.

Check the audition section of the website throughout the year until they post the list of cities where you can next audition for American Idol, along with the dates and time auditions will be held. If you're set on doing this, you’ll want to prepare the best audition possible.

Thinking of trying out for one of the biggest, most successful shows on American television? There are millions of viewers and a lot of on show talent who really, really want you to succeed. That's some incentive right there.

On the other hand, a lot of them also want you to fail in the most undignified way possible. Because watching someone else's dreams shatter and crumble takes their minds off how badly their own lives might be going for a couple of minutes. That's the other side of this particular coin, and the reason why I don't watch American Idol, or any other reality TV show.

Here's what you need to do to get through the audition.

Which means you have to practice. A lot. Choose a song for your American Idol audition - and make it one that's easy to perform well. Why? Because trying to do vocal gymnastics from a cold start, in a draughty rehearsal hall, after spending half the day queueing and waiting, when you're nervous and not at your best, is not going to go well. You'll have about half a minute maximum to impress them enough to get through. Don't throw that away by picking a song that's just too hard.

Practice, until singing the song is ingrained. This will make it a lot easier on audition day. And prepare a second song in case the judges ask to hear something else. Pick two different styles of song, but make sure both fit your vocal range.

Practice on your own. Make videos of yourself singing so you get to see the weird stuff you do. Learn to stop doing it.

Take singing lessons, and ask the teacher if you have what it takes. If they say yes, book an audition. If they say no, stay home.

Kill your fear of singing in public by going to a crowded karaoke bar and singing your little heart out. That way you won't freeze up at audition with stage fright.

Pick a song that suits your range, vocal ability and personality. Once you've picked your song, learn the words. So you don't end up singing, 'Nah, dooh de dooh dummmm,' on the day. Because that sounds silly.

Practice. If you're serious, start preparing at least 6 months ahead. Which means you should already have started if you want to audition in 2012.

Dress well. Casual or smart, neat and clean = good. Eccentric or scruffy = bad.

Be yourself - as long as that means charming. Expect to get cut, and be happily surprised if you're not. Stay humble.

On the other hand - don't sell yourself short. Go in thinking you don't stand a chance, and you might as well have stayed home.

Give it 100%. Sing like you mean it, win or lose. Or stay at home.

But before you go down this road, tell someone you trust - who has your best interests at heart - that you're going to audition for American Idol. Ask what they honestly think about your chances. If they advise against it, ask them why.

If their reason is more to do with their opinion of the show, don't let that stop you. But if they say no because they're genuinely concerned that you're not good enough, or they're afraid you're opening yourself up to ridicule, you might care to think about it a while longer.

The truth can hurt, but maybe not as much when it comes from one person who loves you rather than from a baying mob who don't.

Ask yourself:

- Do I really have a talent for singing, or am I kidding myself?

- Am I talented enough? Because being the best singer in your bathroom is not the same as being the best singer in the local talent contest. Which is a long way from being good enough to get up on stage anywhere.

- Do I want a career in music, or do I just want to be famous? The first can be a good choice. The second will always be a mixed blessing at best. There are different kinds and degrees of famous, and none of them sound like fun from this side of the fence. Not one. Anonymity has hidden blessings. Don't trade it too cheaply.

Heart still set on fame through singing? Well, I've done my best to put you off, so I'll let it rest. And wish you all the luck in the world.

While talent is cheap, loving something enough to sacrifice part of your life for it is rare. If you have the talent, and you really, really want to follow your heart - do it. We all end up in the same place, but if we did something we love before we end up there, we did good.

It's not the things we did that we regret on our death-bed. It's the stuff we didn't do, but by God wish we had. Pick a song. Practice long and hard. Sign up for the next American Idol auditions. And go for it.