Round 9 - Tears & Hits

THEME

Sing two songs:

One song should be a song that makes people want to cry
The other song should be a one-hit wonder
A one-hit wonder is defined as the only song to have commercial success by a particular artist whereas other songs by that artist were not as successful.
You MAY NOT submit the same song for both categories.

RULES - TEAR-JERKER

Alternative versions such as acoustics ARE allowed for this song.
You MUST open your song as a solo.
You MUST use correct HASHTAG and the correct COVER ART or you WILL be disqualified.
You must use the hashtag #VES4R9TJ

RULES - ONE HIT WONDER

Alternative versions such as acoustics ARE NOT allowed for this song.
You MUST open your song as a duet or group, and must include at least one section of harmony.
You MUST use correct HASHTAG and the correct COVER ART or you WILL be disqualified.
You must use the hashtag #VES4R9OHW

RULES - BOTH SONGS

You MAY use Normal, Polish, Studio, Super Studio, Grunge, Pop, Super Pop or Indie FX.
You MAY NOT use Stardust or Double You FX (except in backing/adlib layers for effect).
You MAY NOT use Harmony or Super Harmony FX at all.
Mashups ARE NOT allowed in this round.
Video songs are NOT allowed.
You may NOT have your songs tagged by your groups until after results have been released.
Your SMULE name MUST be as shown on this list or you must have informed us of your name change. Failure to do so will result in no score being posted for your entry, and you will therefore be eliminated.
SMULE NAME CHANGES: http://www.vocaledgeonline.com/#!smule-name-change/aozye
ONCE YOUR SONG HAS BEEN MADE PUBLIC AND ANY JUDGE HAS CRITIQUED IN THE COMMENT SECTION, YOU THEN CANNOT CHANGE IT.
Your song MUST be submitted with the correct hashtags and cover art before 23:59 GMT on SATURDAY 9th July.
A countdown clock is provided for your benefit at www.vocaledgeonline.com
Results will be released on MONDAY 11th July at 15:00 GMT.
After the deadline, the countdown clock will change and will instead countdown to the release of results.

THE VOCAL EDGE SMULE PLAYLIST

Please note that Vocal Edge currently has an official playlist on the front page of Smule, right there with Killer Karaoke, Smule Picks etc.... In order for your track to be considered, it must be either an official Smule songbook song, or an alternative version of an official Smule songbook song (for example, Acoustic).

Official songbook tracks are shown on Smule by the green icon shown here. These are the only tracks considered for the official playlist, (or alternative versions of these songs)

JUDGING CRITERIA - TEAR-JERKER

These are the criteria against which you will be judged. You will be given a point for covering the relevant question. Therefore by following the criteria given here, you can maximize your score and ensure you focus on the correct aspects of your song. If you are unclear about any of these criteria - Your coach will be happy to help you. After all, they aren't here just to look pretty! RECORDING QUALITY: 1 Is there background noise and were the volumes and FX appropriate and balanced between the track and solo vocal layer? TECHNIQUE/DELIVERY: 3 Was the contestant in tune throughout their solo layer? Did the contestant use appropriate dynamics? - for example loud, quiet, strong, soft Was a sufficient amount of originality/artistry/style used to differentiate the song from the original and make it unique to the contestant? EMOTION: 3 Was there any noticeable emotional content to the song? Did the song make you want to cry? Did the song seem like the singer had a genuine connection to what they were performing? GENERAL VOCALS: 3 Did the judge actually enjoy listening to this version?

JUDGING CRITERIA - ONE HIT WONDER

These are the criteria against which you will be judged. You will be given a point for covering the relevant question. Therefore by following the criteria given here, you can maximize your score and ensure you focus on the correct aspects of your song. If you are unclear about any of these criteria - Your coach will be happy to help you. After all, they aren't here just to look pretty! RECORDING QUALITY: 1 Is there background noise and were the volumes and FX appropriate and balanced between the track and all vocal layers? TECHNIQUE/DELIVERY: 4 Was the contestant in tune throughout in each of their layers? Did the contestant use appropriate dynamics? - for example loud, quiet, strong, soft Did the contestant put appropriate emotion into the song? Was a sufficient amount of originality/artistry/style used to differentiate the song from the original and make it unique to the contestant? HARMONY: 2 Did the contestant use harmony in their song? Did the harmonies build the song to a noticeable climax? GENERAL VOCALS: 3 Did the judge actually enjoy listening to this version?

SCORES AND RESULTS

In this round, each song will be judged and critiqued by THREE judges. The judges will each make AT LEAST one positive and one constructive comment and these will NOT be intended personally but to help you improve so please be prepared to hear constructive criticism. The judging criteria is also CLEARLY shown so be sure to pick a song that will adhere to these criteria. Song choice is in YOUR hands, and so any complaints that your song couldn't fulfill the criteria will not be accepted. The 10 highest total scores (both songs combined) will move on to the the next round. HIDDEN IMMUNITY One of the songs for each category is a secret song, the title of which has been recorded in Smule, with a timestamp. Anyone who sings that song will automatically pass to the next round regardless of their score. The song will not be revealed to ANYONE until results. Those who manage to sing the lucky song will have their true score placed on their running totals even though they will be automatically moving forwards. RISE TO THE TOP The Top 8% of scores moving forward from Round 9 will gain immunity for the next round, Round 10, and will NOT be eligible to be eliminated in that round. 8% of 10 is 1 person. In the event of a tie for immunity, the senior judges will choose their favourites from those in the tie-break position. That will be the final immunity of the season.