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RE: Calming Nerves

Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2000-01-04 23:27

Sara wrote:
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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

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Calming Nerves new

Sara

2000-01-04 02:19