 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Sara
Date: 2000-01-04 02:19
With Region Band/All state band try outs coming up this Saturday, I was wondering if anybody could offer any tips on how to keep from being nervous or at least calm enough to play an audition well. see I wasn't going to audition but my band directors(all of them) kept on pressing the issue so I finally gave in and signed up but I wasn't going to go even when my private teacher helped me prepare for it. Not until two weeks ago that is, he told me that he was going to be the judge of my prepared peice and my chromatic and that if at the end of the day my name was still on the list for not showing up he would be mad, and I know I'm soing to freeze up to the point where I won't be able to read the sight readingmusic. i really hope somenody has some helpful tips!
Sara
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: col
Date: 2000-01-04 07:30
just take a few deep breaths before hand , and imagine your going to go in their and stun them with all the great preparation you have done, remember they are going to be trying to make you feel comfortable because they will want you to play well too
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: steve
Date: 2000-01-04 14:11
col has excellent advice, imho....the visualization of success sets you up both mentally and physically _for_ success...in the event that you play your best, and the audition committee doesn't give you the decision you want...so what..._you_ played your best, and that's something to feel very good about...imho, please stay away from pharmaceutical solutions to performance anxiety....they cause more trouble than they're worth....
good luck, s/
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2000-01-04 14:24
When I am soloing, I always adjust my music stand just before I start, even if it does not particularily need it. Also, I know that I have an extra reed in my pocket is case the one on my clarinet suddenly does not speak, for whatever reason and I have my swab near bye in case moisture accummulates. I also try to "visualize" the opening musical statement--tempo, style, sound, etc.--before starting. Take a nice deep, relaxing breath and GO FOR IT!!! Hope this helps a little.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: tree
Date: 2000-01-04 14:28
Eat a banana, and also, visualize yourself just playing for your teacher as you normally do in your lessons. You should feel comforatble around him. Forget the fact that your being graded on how you perform. Judges expect you to be a little nervous. Don't worry! good luck!~*tree
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Leah
Date: 2000-01-04 20:13
These are all really great suggestions!
but i've heard (if you want to prevent being as nervous) you could go for a little jog or run before hand. i guess some of my friends have done that and when you stop running, your brain releases chemicals to make you 'calm down'. that probably helps when you get in the room to have the chemicals already released. but that is just a thought i hope the audition goes great!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Rene
Date: 2000-01-04 20:17
Kill that little man in your head that says: "They will not like me, I might fail!" and such things. He has been implanted there long ago, but you need to get rid of him. And call the other one, that says: "They will like me and support me, and want that I give my best. And I will give my best!".
And most of all, do not be afraid to be afraid!
You'll manage it, and they'll like you, just as I do for your posting this here.
Rene
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ginger Martin
Date: 2000-01-04 23:11
Dear Sara,
Make sure that deep breath you take before your first note is a SLOW one. If you have a short, sharp intake of air, it sets up the "fight or flight" response which is not particularly useful when you're under stress already! Too much adrenalin causes hands and knees to shake...I remember thinking I was having a seizure during an audition once!!
Good luck, Ginger
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2000-01-04 23:27
Sara wrote:
-------------------------------
With Region Band/All state band try outs coming up this Saturday, I was wondering if anybody could offer any tips on how to keep from being nervous or at least calm enough to play an audition well. see I wasn't going to audition but my band directors(all of them) kept on pressing the issue so I finally gave in and signed up but I wasn't going to go even when my private teacher helped me prepare for it. Not until two weeks ago that is, he told me that he was going to be the judge of my prepared peice and my chromatic and that if at the end of the day my name was still on the list for not showing up he would be mad, and I know I'm soing to freeze up to the point where I won't be able to read the sight readingmusic. i really hope somenody has some helpful tips!
Sara
Sara -
The key is that *all* of your band directors want you to go to the audition. One of them could make a mistake, but if they're all behind you, it's because you're really good. Also, you have practiced your scales and prepared piece. I'm sure at least one of your band directors doesn't play clarinet. Say she's a trumpet player. If she tried to play the audition on clarinet in your place, you can imagine what it would sound like. You would obviously be much better.
Even though your private instructor didn't put it very well, he obviously believes in you and knows you can and will do well. If he thought you were going to mess up, he would have told you to wait until next year. Believe it or not, teachers really *want* their students to ace the auditions.
So. Stand up straight. Take a good breath beginning as deep down as you can. Let your lungs fill with air and let the air push out your abdomen and keep going until it raises your ribs and chest. With that much good air, you just have to let it out and don't have to push. Once you get going, it will be fine.
Always play things in an audition a little slower than you practiced them. What counts is evenness and good sound. You get a much better score if you get through going slow than if you whiz through almost everything but have to stop when your fingers get scrambled.
If you get really tight anyway, look out at the audience and imagine, in a really clear mental picture, that every one of them is sitting on the toilet. Nobody can be dignified in that position, and only you will be standing up.
Finally, remember that all of us on the board want you to do well and are pulling for you. So do it for us, too, and let us know how it came out.
I'm not sure you need it, but good luck.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Casey
Date: 2000-01-05 00:44
Sara, I'm sorry about those last two posts my computer was going crazy or something. My advice is probably not as good and complex as the others, but I thought I should still offer it. I am like you I get VERY nervous when it comes to auditions, so here is what I do to better prepare myself. While I am waiting to play I sit there and tell myself that I'm not nervous, and I try to show on the outside that I'm not nervous. This portrays to other people that you are comfortable with your music and in a way might intimidate them, making them more nervious (not the long term goal though). Whenever I am doing my ten second warm up or however long they give you before you audition I always end it with a long study concert F. If you can play an F with you best sound and make it sound great it will calm you down a little. One other thing I noticed about auditions where I have to play in front of people is that a lot of people aren't even paying attension to you. Not that you are bad by any means, but usually people are throwing notes to their friend or reading a book/magizine, so you shouldn't worry to much of what they will think of you, because they probably aren't paying attention. I wish you the best of luck and hope that you can go in there and show everyone who you are.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Lelia
Date: 2000-01-05 20:01
I think people here gave you good, sensible advice. Sooner or later, though, some kid is going to give you weird advice about strange diets and so forth. I never could play music well in public, but I was a successful debater in high school. Some of the best advice I got, from a forensics coach, was, "Lead a normal life!" In other words, before a big debate tournament, I should eat my normal diet, keep my normal hours with my normal amount of sleep, talk with my friends, watch some TV if I felt like it instead of obsessively slaving over the preparations, and do other things that worked for me and kept me comfortable in everyday life. Sometimes, strange, "special" food (like eating five bananas when you're used to just one at a time) or unaccustomed exercises can backfire by causing an upset stomach or other physical discomfort that can be very distracting, just what you don't need! You've already done the hard work to prepare, so now is the time to trust yourself and go with what has worked for you all along.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Kim
Date: 2000-01-06 00:21
I was told at an All-State Workshop that you should expect yourself to be nervous. Auditions are always something major to us because we want them so badly. For example, how hard is an All-State Audition compared to a normal band audition? I can play a band audition very easily because I know the person that I am playing in front of. If I had to play in front of my clarinet teacher, I'd probably do just as well since I know that person. Actually that happened to me once.
I went to a music camp and we had private lessons by the professors of that instrument. When it came time for my college audition(I am a sophomore), I had to play in front of the band director and the clarinet professor. The fact that you are playing in front of someone you know should relax you a little because that person knows how talented you are.
When I go into any audition room, I usually look at the judges faces and wiggle my fingers around a bit to just relax. Before I play my first notes, I think about that opening line so I don't jumpstart my self and screw up.
Remember that you are not alone. Probably 500 other kids feel the same way you do! Relax and play your audition like you play when you practice or play in front of your teacher.
Good luck!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Willie
Date: 2000-01-06 04:14
Good one Ken! I printed that one out and gave to my wife (the flute tooter). She will get a piece down so perfectly then when she gets up to play it for an audience, she gets really tense blows a few clunkers, especially when its the jury. Last month though, she was asked to play a nice piece for the congregation at church. She got up and asked everyone to close their eyes and relax for 2 reasons. 1. So they could concentrate on the beauty of the piece. 2. 'Cuz when you first open your eyes, your aim isn't as good. It worked. She didn't miss a note.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Sara
Date: 2000-01-07 00:27
I thank you for all of your advice and support, even though I don't quite understand the significance of the banana thing I am certianly willing to try all of the wonderful advice you have provided. I thank you guys and I'll be sure to post a follow-up and let evreyone know how things went, because my teachers are all the judges and he said he would look up my score before he left. Well, wish me luck!
Sara
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Roger McCoach
Date: 2000-01-07 19:48
Sara,
One more suggestion which hasn't been made so far.
Practice your audition "cold", as this simulates the
actual experience. Play your audition scales, piece,
etc., without any warmup. Repeat this 2-6 times
throughout the day. If you do this each day a week
before the audition, it should be helpful. Of course,
you want to be practicing as well, not just playing the
material "cold" !! Good luck !
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Sara
Date: 2000-01-08 02:54
I don't think that this will be neccesary as they provide a room to warmup in. But thank you for the advice anyways.
Sara
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: tree
Date: 2000-01-08 04:10
Eating Bananas helps to calm your nerves before a performance:)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
