 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: SamuelChan
Date: 2012-07-10 13:56
Hi guys,
I just went through my first audition for a college band here. I had no idea why I was so nervous, I forgot my major scales and screwed up much of my choice pieces.
I have performed at a number of concerts, have a great set-up, and I guess im always positive. However, that experience was just a *facepalm*..
How do you combat this? Like calming your fingers down, heart-rate and allowing yourself to think properly. I do not wish to depend on beta-blockers..
Thanks!
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2012-07-10 17:47
This is a very good question. Often people make mistakes because of nerves. The scary part is you never know how your nerves will react. I've heard people play when there mouth/jaw quivers, sounds like a vibrato! Sometimes legs shake and even your fingers get cold and won't move correctly. This can happen to the same person at different auditions.
Sometimes this won't go away, but the more you play in front of people or even one person that you are auditioning for can be controlled. At this point you were in that fear category. Let it go and begin to focus on what you need to do, such as having no fear of the music you are playing and letting the people you are auditioning for see how good you really are. Knowing the music well really helps get rid of fear and puts you into a different zone. Perhaps hyper instead of fear. No caffeine, no soda's, just water.
Remember that everyone thats auditioning feels the same as you.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-07-12 10:25
The best suggestion for me was to focus on the minutia of the moment (the sound, the vibrations in your fingers). Read "The Inner Game of Tennis," or "Soprano on Her Head" for a better understanding of where your head should be when in a pressure situation.
....................Paul Aviles
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Author: LJBraaten
Date: 2012-07-12 14:38
Pino's book (the clarinet and clarinet playing) has some good suggestions about relaxation before playing (p. 50ff), they could probably be applied to an audition.
Laurie
Laurie (he/him)
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Author: sonicbang
Date: 2012-07-12 23:55
When I feel nervous before an audition, I start to do certain breathing exercises to calm myself down. I drink green tea or mate about half an hour before the audition, it helps to concenrtate without fastening your heartbeat. And it's good to concentrate on what you are actually playing, I mean it's easier when you feel you are part of the musical process.
Post Edited (2012-07-12 23:58)
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2012-07-13 02:17
The cold hand problem is nothing new to players. It could be hot inside. I was auditioning one time, but I have no idea where I was at the moment. This guy came out of the bathroom and his hands were steaming! I of course asked if he was OK or did he burn himself. He smiled and said it's hot water, can't get my hands worm! I've experienced cold hands as well. Running in place for 5 minutes often helps. It can clear your mind.
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Author: Buster
Date: 2012-07-14 01:05
Green tea, and particularly Yerba mate when steeped, contain caffeine and will only exacerbate your nerves.
If a relaxing beverage is needed, chamomile tea, or Valerian Root, will be of much more assistance. Though be cautious, Valerian root tea has quite an off-putting taste and should be "experimented" with before you step into any audition setting.
Beta-blockers should be held as a last-resort means to remedy any anxiety issue; as with any prescription medication.
the Relaxation Response, Benson, M.D., is a written asset that may supersede The Inner Game of Tennis, or, A Soprano on Her Head.
The "Response" is something that needs be explored prior to an audition/stressful situation... But writing supported with double-blind studies can hold water along side of a conspicuously inviting "Zen" invoking text.
If one wishes to step "outside of the box", the writings of Dean Radin can lead into differing arenas, though they must be taken with care as the writings of Carl Jung.
Also overlooked; well-reasoned preparation can never be overly-dissected when seeking the root cause of a "break-down." Often, the cause of an audition "flub" does not lie outside of our own self-preparation, as difficult as it may be to admit.
And an error does not an audition make.......
-Jason
Post Edited (2012-07-14 01:58)
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2012-07-14 02:56
A singer friend was badly affected by audition nerves and stage fright. He had an audition for a part in an operatic production. It was very important to him, and he badly wanted the part, which he knew well and had sung several times before. His doctor suggested and prescribed beta-blockers, and when the moment came he stepped on to the stage entirely free of fear or anxiety. Unfortunately, he found he was also entirely free of the words. He didn't get the job,and the experience almost destroyed him. He turned to hypnotherapy with good results.
Tony F.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2012-07-14 13:10
Samuel -
About 25% of musicians in American classical orchestras use beta blockers http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=20&i=146&t=68. There's nothing shameful about it. Of course you have them prescribed by a doctor.
Remember that a beta blocker only lets you play as you normally would. It gives you no unfair advantage. You don't "depend" on the BB, but use it to stay on track through the high-pressure moments, such as auditions, where you have found that you have trouble.
If your eyes don't focus perfectly, not one would say you shouldn't wear glasses, or that it's bad to "depend" on them. Just so, if your brain reacts too strongly to adrenaline, you use a BB to deal with the physical problem.
Ken Shaw
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Author: SamuelChan
Date: 2012-07-15 00:35
Hey guys thanks for all the effort in suggesting and helping! Read the posts after a few days.
Ken, I actually thought beta blockers had lots of side effects, my peer said so. After seeing your post it gives me a new perspective to BB. Many thanks!
I have 2 more auditions coming up in August. Wish me luck!
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2012-07-15 01:11
Samuel -
The original beta blockers had side effects. The newer ones are better, but are not completely free of them. That's why you need to go to a doctor, who will discuss the various ones with and let you know what to watch out for.
Since you will use them only for auditions and other important events, the likelihood of side effects will be smaller.
Ken Shaw
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Author: sonicbang
Date: 2012-07-15 12:06
Buster,
Green tea and especially yerba mate has totally different alcaloids than coffe. In fact you can even sleep after drinking mate, because it doesn't lift your heartbeat, and it has a positive effect on the REM too. However, considering you want to play in audition instead of having a good sleep, this tea helps to concentrate and has 6-7 times bigger effect than coffe, but without the bad things.
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Author: Elifix
Date: 2012-07-15 16:10
Banana works too but the only down side is that is causes a bit of a 'sticky' after-taste. Just have to rinse and hydrate well.
Or be like a friend i know who thinks, "Before they screw me, i'll screw them!"
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