History Main / SmallStartBigFinish

* ''Fanfic/OnceUponAStudioVersionTwoPointOh'': This short's rendition of "When You Wish Upon a Star" goes even further in both directions, as only [[WesternAnimation/{{Tangled}} Rapunzel's]] guitar and the the orchestra itself are heard, along with [[WesternAnimation/{{Cinderella}} Cinderella's]] solo for the first two lines. As the song progresses, more and more characters join in, and it eventually becomes an even grander finale than that of [[WesternAnimation/OnceUponAStudio the existing OUAS]], as everyone, spurred on by [[WesternAnimation/ClassicDisneyShorts Mickey]] and Cinderella, proudly sings the final verse as a unified chorus. Cinderella and Prince Charming then cap it off with the first line of their song; "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes", and Rapunzel and Eugene, and [[WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}} Aladdin and Jasmine]] with the first chorus line of theirs; "I See The Light" and "A Whole New World", before everyone triumphantly sings the final line; "Your dreams come true!", and the orchestra reaches a brilliant climax as the photo is finally created.

* ''Fanfic/OnceUponAStudioVersionTwoPointOh'': This short's rendition of "When You Wish Upon a Star" goes even further in both directions, as only [[WesternAnimation/{{Tangled}} Rapunzel's]] guitar and the the orchestra itself are heard, along with [[WesternAnimation/{{Cinderella}} Cinderella's]] solo for the first two lines. As the song progresses, more and more characters join in, and it eventually becomes an even grander finale than that of [[WesternAnimation/OnceUponAStudio the existing OUAS]], with Cinderella and Prince Charming capping it off with the first line of their song; "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes", and Rapunzel and Eugene, and [[WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}} Aladdin and Jasmine]] with the first chorus line of theirs; "I See The Light" and "A Whole New World", before everyone proudly sings the final line; "Your dreams come true!", and the orchestra reaches a brilliant climax as the photo is finally created.

* ''WesternAnimation/LittlestPetShop'', "[[Recap/LittlestPetShop2012S3E19PetSounds Pet Sounds]]". "If I Could Talk to the Humans" begins with Cheep-Cheep meekly singing by himself. By the end of the song, all of the main pets have joined in for an in-universe Show Stopper.

Oh, this is the song that goes like this. Yes it is. Yes it is! YEEESSSS IT IIIISSSSSS!"''

A type of song that representing the birth and buildup of a single thought. The singer -- or character, if this is a {{musical number|index}} -- starts out with the bud of an idea, which they sing in a smaller voice. As they become more sure of what they're singing, the song grows and finally culminates in a conclusion to the thought process, scored with a grand and bombastic ending with lots of belting and {{Incredibly Long Note}}s. In some cases, this is done with an ensemble and/or an InvisibleBackupBand in the background appearing midway for extra hamminess. It may even end as a CrowdSong or a ShowStopper.

Frequently done with the IAmSong, IWantSong, or the IAmBecomingSong, which underscore critical points in a character arc. Unlike the GainingConfidenceSong, which "starts small" because of a character's insecurity or shyness, the Small Start, Big Finish number is mainly about volume, instrumentation and orchestration to emphasize a character's assertions. However, it may overlap with that if the character starts singing bigger and louder as they get more confident. In musicals, almost always an AwardBaitSong.

[[AC:Film -- Animated]]

* ''WesternAnimation/Frozen2013'': Elsa's IAmBecomingSong, "Let it Go", is a GainingConfidenceSong that starts out in low tones and with minimal accompaniment as Elsa observes the icy landscapes. However, as she realizes she is finally free to be herself, she sings louder, the background music gets bigger, culminating in her belting notes as she relishes in her new palace.

[[AC:Film -- Live Action]]

* ''Theatre/{{Cabaret}}'': "Maybe This Time". The song starts soft because Sally is contemplating about her relationship to herself in the mirror. Over the course of the song she starts singing more forcefully and with bigger notes, ending with some long belts. The accompanying instrumentation gets louder as well.

** "The Best of Times" starts off with Albin (as Zaza, and pretending to be Jean-Michel's mother) performing alone to a restaurant full of people, with everyone eventually joining in.

* "Being Alive" from ''Theatre/CompanySondheim'' starts at speaking volume and gets bigger and bigger as the song goes on, eventually reaching full on belt at the line "But alone, is alone, not alive" and continues in this manner until the end.

* ''Theatre/{{Wicked}}'': "Defying Gravity", Elphaba's IAmBecomingSong. She starts out a little small and hesitant but aware that she's undergoing something monumental, and becomes more sure of this throughout the song as she embraces her witch side. By the end she's belting about her newfound destiny and the orchestration backs her up.

----

* "Being Alive" from ''Theatre/{{Company}}'' starts at speaking volume and gets bigger and bigger as the song goes on, eventually reaching full on belt at the line "But alone, is alone, not alive" and continues in this manner until the end.

* ''Theatre/TheCountOfMonteCristo'': "The Man I Used To Be" starts out quiet and somber, but ends on a very epic and uplifting note as Edmond Dantes, after spending a great deal of the movie as a hate-driven avenger out to bring hell to the doorsteps of everyone who had wronged him, finally embraces the hope of the man that he once was.

* ''Theatre/JekyllAndHyde'' has "This is the Moment", which starts with Jekyll almost murmuring, but gradually grows louder and louder so that by the end he's shouting.

* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJdA4EBw_00 More With You]]", by ''WebVideo/TwistedTranslations'' creator Malinda Kathleen Reese, starts out very slowly with just Malinda singing to a guitar and some violin. Then more instruments join in and the music gets stronger and louder, with other singers being the next to join in, eventually building up to a powerful final chorus with her and all her guest-musicians belting and playing their instruments loudly and passionately.

[[WMG:[[center:[[AC:This trope is [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1604093472069733400 under discussion]] in the [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1604093472069733400 Trope Repair Shop]].]]]]]]

* ''WesternAnimation/Frozen2013'': Elsa's IAmBecomingSong, "Let it Go", is a GainingConfidenceSong that starts out in low tones and with minimal accompaniment as Elsa observes the icy landscapes. However, as she realizes she is finally free to be herself, she sings louder, the background music gets bigger, culminating in her belting notes as she relishes in her new palace. There's also CastingGag here -- Elsa's voice actress, Creator/IdinaMenzel, originated "Defying Gravity" on ''Theatre/{{Wicked}}'', another IAmBecomingSong of a misfit "witch" finding herself.

Oh, where is the song that goes like this... where it is? Where? WHERE?\\\

-->-- '''Theatre/{{Spamalot}}''', "The Song That Goes Like This"

ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin. This is a type of musical number which, naturally, has a small beginning and a big ending. These are usually done by one character in a solo, a solo verse in a duet continuing on to the end, or sometimes the lead part in an ensemble number. It may occur in a musical or just an atmosphere where there's music. Usually done with celebrities or just people who are famous for their singing, since anyone who knows them knows they can sing; they're just waiting for that one money-making note. It can usually occur in one of four forms:

!!Type 1:

Alice is very talented but shy. She wants to perform, but she's never sung in public before. She's already gotten the courage to get into whatever show she's in. She's practiced her ass off. Now it's time to perform in front of a huge crowd. She starts small and not confident but slowly becomes more sure of her own singing. Before she gets to the end, she's already pulled a ShowStopper.

!!Type 2:

Bob is timid and has yet to come out of his shell. Finally during one of his musical numbers he makes a breakthrough. He starts out small and shy, just being himself, until he finally comes out. By the end of the song, he is belting at full-force. [[AwardBaitSong He will probably win an award for this performance.]]

!!Type 3:

Usually occurs in non-musicals (i.e. movies or TV shows with a lot of music; ThatRemindsMeOfASong moments) Claire has a perfectly good voice. She's not ashamed of it, nor is she afraid to sing in public. She just doesn't use it. We've known her long enough that we think we know her real personality. Suddenly, for [[ThatRemindsMeOfASong whatever reason]], she will start singing (usually when nobody is watching). She will, once again, start small (or at least very soft), and gradually grow. When she reaches the end and we progress to the next scene, everyone is still gaping, thinking "What the hell just happened?" and "I didn't know she could do that!"

!!Type 4:

Can be used by any type of character, representing the birth and buildup of a single thought. The character starts out with the bud of an idea, which they sing in a smaller voice. As they become more sure of themselves, the song grows. In some cases done with an ensemble in the background.

Types 1-3 are usually worthy of a standing ovation because they show a character doing something we didn't necessarily know they could do. Type 4, however, is more often used by characters we already knew could sing.

!!Type 1:

[[AC:Film]]
* Done with Gabriella in ''Film/HighSchoolMusical'', though less skilfully because we already knew she had talent. So it wasn't much of a surprise when she came out.
* Mary from ''Film/{{Superstar}}'' has one of these, although sort of subverted because she does screw up terribly in the middle before she gets back on her feet. And because, well, Molly Shannon isn't exactly a singer.

[[AC:Live Action TV]]
* In an episode of the short-lived series ''What About Joan'', [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=171St5nuEBk Donna Murphy does it beautifully]].

* Louise's life-changing rendition of "Let Me Entertain You" from ''Theatre/{{Gypsy}}''.

!!Type 2:

[[AC:Film]]
* At least speaking for the film version, this happens to both Seymour and Audrey during "Suddenly Seymour" in ''Film/LittleShopOfHorrors''. Of course it all depends on performance (Ellen Greene pretty much plays this trope straight, whereas Kerry Butler seems to let loose a earlier in the show).
* The sequel to ''Film/SisterAct'' features Creator/WhoopiGoldberg's character organising a group of youngsters from a disadvantaged school into a choir. When the choir is performing before the school, the already-nervous solo singer finds it difficult to sing up. With some encouragement, the performance builds up until he's belting out the song to enthusiastic audience response, particularly when he hits an ''incredibly'' high note that causes even the conductor to turn around in surprise.
* "Here's Where I Stand" from ''Film/Camp''. Jenna Malloran is reluctantly pressed into singing the song for the revue, in front of her disapproving father in the audience. By song's end she has won over her father and wowed the camp.

[[AC:Theater]]
* "If I Were A Bell" from ''Theatre/GuysAndDolls'' is an interesting example; Sarah does indeed come out of herself, but she's drunk the entire time.
* ''Film/{{Hairspray}}'''s Penny Pingleton has an incredibly short one during her part in "Without Love."

[[AC:Live Action TV]]
* ''Series/BatesMotel'': Norma Bates tries out for the town musical with "Maybe This Time" from ''Film/{{Cabaret}}''. Also an EstablishingCharacterMoment for her.

!!Type 3:

[[AC:Film]]
* In the remake of ''Film/{{Fame}}'', Denise doesn't sing in the movie at all until later, when she sits at the piano and delivers this trope. It may be one of the only memorable performances from the movie.

[[AC:Live Action TV]]
* The first episode of ''Series/PushingDaisies'' where Vivian (Ellen Greene) sings definitely counts. The number doesn't really get bigger, per sé, but it does get louder.
** Also when Olive (Kristin Chenoweth) sings "[[Film/{{Grease}} Hopelessly Devoted To You]]," even though people keep interrupting her.
** Speaking of Kristin Chenoweth, her performance of "[[Theatre/{{Cabaret}} Maybe This Time]]" on ''Series/{{Glee}}'' also counts. Of course, we were all waiting to hear the high note at the end.
* Abigail Armstrong pulls this off in the second season of ''Series/DanceAcademy'', when she starts mucking around on the keyboard and then properly sings a number from the fringe musical Ethan's choreographing. When he responds with surprise at the quality of her voice she retorts, 'Any idiot can sing. You open your mouth and sound comes out.' The producers of the musical then spend several episodes trying to convince her to play the lead in their show.

!!Type 4:

[[AC:Theater]]

Get ready.
* A great deal of the songs from ''Theatre/{{Rent}}''.
* ''[[Theatre/CompanySondheim Company]]'': Being Alive.
* [[Theatre/{{Wicked}} Defying Gravity]]. Also The Wizard and I.
* ''Theatre/{{Chicago}}'': "My Own Best Friend" and "Nowadays".
* [[Theatre/{{Cabaret}} Maybe This Time]].
* [[Theatre/{{Carousel}} You'll Never Walk Alone]].
* In some respects, "Ain't It Good" from ''Children of Eden.''
* "You Can Always Count on Me" and "Funny" from ''City of Angels.''
* "I'm Still Here," from ''Follies.'' Except possibly Elaine Stritch's rendition. After all, she's Elaine Stritch.
* The reprise of [[Theatre/FunnyGirl Don't Rain on My Parade]].
* [[Theatre/ThoroughlyModernMillie Gimme Gimme]].
* [[Theatre/{{Hairspray}} I Know Where I've Been]].
* [[Theatre/IntoTheWoods Last Midnight]].
* [[Theatre/LaCageAuxFolles I Am What I Am]].
* [[Theatre/{{Oliver}} As Long As He Needs Me]].
* Kristin Chenoweth's [[Theatre/PromisesPromises A House Is Not A Home]]. At least near the end.
* [[Theatre/SweeneyToddTheDemonBarberOfFleetStreet Johanna]]
* [[Theatre/VictorVictoria Living in the Shadows]]
* "Before the Parade Passes By" and the title song from ''Theatre/HelloDolly''.
* ComicBook/FunHome has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG1NE9EWK8g Changing my Major]] a song about Main Character Allison Bechdel's sexual awakening as a lesbian.

-->--'''Theatre/{{Spamalot}}''', "The Song That Goes Like This"

* [[Theatre/{{Company}} Being Alive]].

They all will sing along, [[ChewingTheScenery we'll overact like hell]]\\

* ''Series/BatesMotel'': Norma Bates tries out for the town musical with "Maybe This Time" from ''Film/Cabaret''. Also a CharacterDefiningMoment for her.

* The reprise of [[FunnyGirl Don't Rain on My Parade]].

* Louise's life-changing rendition of "Let Me Entertain You" from {{Gypsy}}.

* At least speaking for the film version, this happens to both Seymour and Audrey during "Suddenly Seymour" in Film/LittleShopOfHorrors. Of course it all depends on performance (Ellen Greene pretty much plays this trope straight, whereas Kerry Butler seems to let loose a earlier in the show).
* The sequel to Film/SisterAct features Whoopi Goldberg's character organising a group of youngsters from a disadvantaged school into a choir. When the choir is performing before the school, the already-nervous solo singer finds it difficult to sing up. With some encouragement, the performance builds up until he's belting out the song to enthusiastic audience response, particularly when he hits an ''incredibly'' high note that causes even the conductor to turn around in surprise.

** Speaking of Kristin Chenoweth, her performance of "[[{{Cabaret}} Maybe This Time]]" on ''Series/{{Glee}}'' also counts. Of course, we were all waiting to hear the high note at the end.
* Abigail Armstrong pulls this off in the second season of ''DanceAcademy'', when she starts mucking around on the keyboard and then properly sings a number from the fringe musical Ethan's choreographing. When he responds with surprise at the quality of her voice she retorts, 'Any idiot can sing. You open your mouth and sound comes out.' The producers of the musical then spend several episodes trying to convince her to play the lead in their show.

* A great deal of the songs from {{Rent}}.