 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Amy Tindall
Date: 2004-04-09 01:43
Hello fellow clarinet players..!
When handed a piece of music to be sight read, would it be considered "cheating" to sing the piece over before playing it? I have an audition soon and of course am expecting to sight read. If you have some great sight reading tricks and tips.. I'd love to hear em'!
Amy E. Tindall
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2004-04-09 01:45
You mean out loud? Don't know if it's considered cheating, but doing pretty much anything besides looking at the music and playing it will likely make you look the fool.
As for singing it in your head, I suppose it all depends on how much time they let you look at it before playing.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-04-09 02:04
Hmmm. I'd do a quick scan and look for possible problem areas, key changes, figure out what arpeggios might be needed later, noticeable or odd dynamic changes (like a mf crescendo that ends up in a pp or something not expected). Even though you won't remember it ALL, subconciously at least you'll be a little more prepared for them and they won't be that much of a shock when you get to them.
And as much as you can, READ AHEAD. While playing a whole note, scan the next two bars to figure out rhythms and see what's coming up. If you're reading one note ahead, that's not enough. Try for at least a bar. I can't do a bar ALL the time, but in the slower passages I can. I'm trying to work up to it though.
And as far as I remember, everyone I've ever talked to says the most important thing is RHYTHM. Play the right rhythm, keep going if you mess up (no "I'm sorry. Can I do it over again?"), and don't worry over a missed sharp or flat or a missed note. Cause if it was a performance, you can't just stop and 'redo' it.
Good luck. I'm sure GBK or Ken Shaw have some good threads hidden up their sleeves on this one.....
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-04-09 02:08
hehe. If you can sneakily take a little time before hand while setting it up. (adjust the sheet music so it's nicely on your stand, ask them "Where would you like me to start?", wet the reed . . .) Try not to be TOO obvious though. They probably will catch on if you seem excessive in this. But that extra second or two while looking it over might help here or there.
How's THAT for cheatin'!?![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif)
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Contra
Date: 2004-04-09 03:45
I don't see why you wouldn't be able to sing it. Whenever I had to sight read, the only thing I couldn't do was play a note since that would mean I was ready to play. So I did everything I could including but not limited to singing, beating rhythms, fingering, and praying.
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Author: paulwl
Date: 2004-04-10 01:44
Unfortunately, the modern definition of sight reading is really "reading WHILE playing." And there's no way to cheat that. It's about having too much to do and too little time to do it in, which is a condition any competitive musician today is going to have to live with constantly.
Music played well is much more demanding than the time, money, or resources allotted to it. It's the individual player that has to take up the slack.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2004-04-10 05:02
Either you can do it, or you can't. It's that simple.
- rn b -
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Author: paulwl
Date: 2004-04-10 16:04
And even if it isn't – you're going to be playing for people who believe it is. You don't win auditions based on how good a player you are. You win them on how well you audition.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-04-10 16:09
Quote:
don't win auditions based on how good a player you are. You win them on how well you audition. Very important to remember. In EVERY aspect of life, not just music.
One trick (I would think, seeing as I have only 'auditioned' for something once, and that was bout 7 years ago) to do is take it a little slower than you think you should read it. If they want you to speed it up, they'll ask. Also, if the slower you can 'get away with it', the more likely you will be able to get it correct.
Don't get the wrong idea and take a piece 40 bpm slower, but instead of 120, maybe go for 100. Hardly noticeable and they may not say anything.
Alexi
PS - Just hope that noone goes in and flies through at 140. Cause then you might be in a 'spot'.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: paulwl
Date: 2004-04-14 00:42
(sfalexi) >> (paulwl) > you don't win auditions based on how good a player you are. You win them on how well you audition. <
Very important to remember. In EVERY aspect of life, not just music. <<
Ahh, but it's dangerous (though tempting) to reason from music to real life. If all that matters in any walk of life is how high you jump at the snap of a finger, well, it's a pretty sad, shallow old world out there, now isn't it? We might as well audition prospective husbands or wives (it'd sure save time with all this long-term-relationship business).
What I mean is that I find something deeply cynical in your response. I'm cynical about music myself, but are you that cynical about life? And did music help?
[ Trying to analyze people from their posts is fraught with danger and in most cases will not elicit a reasonable reaction. If you want to ask someone why they made a response, do so, but do not pre-suppose the rationale behind the post. Mark C. ]
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-04-14 01:04
S'ok Mark. Although others may have blown up, I choose not too. I was equating "auditioning" with "interviewing" for jobs. You may not be the best candidate on paper, however the interview process does hold a lot. Your appearance, composure, personality, compatibility etc. do have a great effect on WHATEVER job you're looking for for. Whether it be for a supervisor at the plant or first chair for an orchestra.
So the comment wasn't made cynically. I just found it interesting that paul was right that HOW you audition is also a factor. And you even heard it here from MANY people that even AFTER you've won an audition, there's STILL a period of time in which they 'test' you in that position to see if you're compatible with the orchestra, blend well, etc. So it's not all based on what diploma you have, from where, and how easily and wonderfully you played some particular piece of music.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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