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Subject |
ollec
Registered User
(8/27/00 8:30:40 am)
Reply |
Audition tips?
I am auditioning for the youth
orchestra in my area next Saturday--kind of short notice, isn't it?
It's not too big of a deal, but I still don't want to embarrass
myself. I get kind of nervous when I play in front of people and I
tend go on autopilot just to stay alive. Normally that's okay--my
audience is generally parents who have listened to their kids
screech through Perpetual Motion so many times that just about
anything sounds good. I also usually know the piece a little bit
better. It's not like that this time though and I need to
concentrate. Any tips for not totally loosing it? And what are
auditions like, exactly?
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matthias24
Registered
User
(8/27/00 3:04:40 pm)
Reply |
Re:
Audition tips?
ok. i had already typed all this
out, but my stupid computer kicked me offline!! so i have to write
it all again!!! (i'm assuming that you have never auditioned for
anything before, and that Orchestra auditions are pretty much the
same as Honor Band auditions are. what i type here might not even be
remotely close to what you will do, i dont know. 
)
Ok. I can't help you as far as tips for relaxing and
playing in front of people. usually it just takes practice and
repetition at playing in front of people before you get comfortable
with it, but i CAN tell you what auditions are like (in my own
experience anyway.) ahem, . . .
I would suggest getting to
wherever the auditions are at least 2 hours before your scheduled
audition. however, if you are scheduled earlier in the morning, this
won't be possible, and you might not even know your time before you
get there. it all depends on how they do things. anyways, . .
.
You should find your audition room as soon as you get there.
that way it will be easier and less stressful when it's time for
your audition. after you find your room, find the practice area (if
there is one). Pace yourself as you practice, you don't want tenses
or tired muscles when you go in to audition.
Go to the
audition room about 15 minutes before your audition time. this will
give you a chance to check in with the room monitor and to rest a
bit before your audition.
when it is your turn, walk in
quietly and set up for your audition. if you have a question, ask
the monitor quietly. Sometimes your judges will be behind screens,
so you can't see them, and they can't see you. This is easier to
play, than having the stress of knowing that your judges are
watching you. after you play your audition material, there will
probably be a sight-reading excercise. they will give you time to
look over it. some places give you 30 seconds, some a full minute,
and some give you pretty much unlimited time, (as long as you dont
take TOO long. ) also,
some places will let you actually play through the excercise on your
instrument during the alloted time span, and other places are very
strict that you are NOT supposed to play, so it would probably be a
good idea to ask the room monitor the rules before you get to the
sight-reading audition. First and one of the most important things
to remember is the key signature of the piece. sounds dumb to remind
you of that, but that is what most people forget to look at and
acknowledge during their audition. (i ALWAYS forget the Key!) i
guess we just get nervous and the brain freezes up, and the key goes
out the window.
when you finish, you will probably be able to
leave right away.
Good luck, and let us know how everything
goes.
~Aaron~
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MelloCello
Registered User
(8/27/00 7:04:14 pm)
Reply |
Audition tips
my experience in auditions have been
stewn across the whole spectrum of audition quality. i've had
totally great auditions and really god awful ones too. now because
of this, i've learned how to optimize auditions for me. that may
differ from your style of playing. just wanted to say that before i
began.
anyway, when i audition i arrive about an hour before i am
to play, and i only play for 20-30 min MAX before the audition. one
of the things that has always killed me before auditions was that i
would practice the short piece over and over, and since i'm nervous
i mess up, and i begin to learn the music wrong. not a great way to
practice before an audition. so whatever you do, DO NOT over
practice. usually i know i've over practiced when i begin to mess
up. then i stop.
the days before the audition are crucial. don't
practice too hard, but don't slack off either. and don't practice
mistakes.
so when you go into the audition room sit down and
listen to the auditioner and what he/she wants. then before you
play, take a deep breath and focus on playing. know how the first
measures go and sound so you don't mess up the beginning. then, just
get into it. the hardest for me is the beginning. once i get going
it's usually gets better.
well i hope this helps you some for
your audition.
and tell us about the results (if you want) and
good luck!!!!!!!!!
Steven
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Cellochick
Registered User
(8/28/00 8:35:46 am)
Reply |
Audition tips from a former nervous wreck.
Lately, I've been getting into the
whole "positive thinking" vibe. This sounds hokey, but IT WORKS! Get
to the audition about an hour early, find the room, take in the
atmosphere, etc. Then, find some quiet place alone for meditation. I
usually do this yoga thing where you raise your arms above your
head, inhale and bring them all the way down to your toes SLOWLY,
rolling each vertebrate in your back. By the time your arms are all
the way down, you should feel very loose and limp, like a rag doll.
Then exhale, and SLOWLY bring your arms up again, feeling each
vertebrate in your spine responding. Hopefully you feel a little
more relaxed now. Close your eyes and visualize your audition, the
room, etc. Think of yourself playing your pieces flawlessly, with
great tone and style. Think of how exactly you want the audition to
go. Go warm up for 30 minutes, max. If you over-practice beforehand,
you don't sound as "fresh." For the sight-reading portion of the
audition, take as much time as you possibly can w/o being
ridiculous. It won't annoy the judges - they'll be impressed that
you take the time to study the piece thoroughly. It sounds stupid,
but check for BASICS: key signature, time signature, tempo markings,
accidentals, and dynamics. In sight reading, the most important part
is RHYTHM. Try sight reading something every day when you practice.
It'll help. And about the nerves - I hate nerves! Why can't we all
be born w/o the "fear" gene? Anyway, there are drugs you can take if
you have a big problem, but it doesn't sound like it. If you can get
a back-rub from someone right before you go in, it might help. Once
you're in there, just think to yourself: These judges want me to
play the best I can play, because if I do that, they will see me at
my best, and be able to judge me well. The judges are not your
enemies. Auditions (and performances) are like any fear - the more
you do them, the easier they become.
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