 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: pbgrl
Date: 2013-09-17 02:20
I have my auditions for a college ensemble in a few day and I am sooooo nervous. I have some notes in the altisimo range and I'm scared I might scared I might squeak. I'm scared I might mess up. I have really bad stagefrights and I really want to make it into the ensemble. Any suggestions? Also, how long should I play my instrument the day before the audition to run everything through? thanks!
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2013-09-17 03:19
You can view this Audition as an opportunity, or an ordeal - it's your choice.
Don't play a lot on audition day, and if you like Bananas, eat one or two a couple of hours before you play. Can actually help calm you.
Take a couple of deep breaths before playing, and center yourself!
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2013-09-17 03:22
For the performance anxiety, eat a banana about an hour before you play. (Brush your teeth after!) There are components of bananas which reduce autonomic nervous responses (i.e. they take away much of the physical jitters and leave the exciting part).
Also read these two intriguing blog entries:
http://www.bulletproofmusician.com/perform-better-under-pressure-by-tweaking-this-one-belief/
http://www.bulletproofmusician.com/be-more-confident-at-your-next-audition-by-going-on-a-facebook-diet/
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-09-17 03:33
pbgrl -
Yo'll get lots of advice about relaxation, controlled breathing, meditation and on and on, some of which may help, but probably not enough.
The solution is simple. Go to your college medical service and get a prescription for a beta blocker. Even as long ago as 2006, 25% of performers used them. http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=363488&t=363483.
Modern formulations have few side effects, and you'll need one only on the day of the audition. Beta blockers have performed miracles for me.
Of course you practice. I've found that slow scales and arpeggios, with total concentration, remind my muscles what to do. As soon as your attention wanders, stop and play something beautiful. Ralph McLane used the Brahms Lullaby.
At the audition, play slower than your best speed, and count like crazy, particularly on long notes and rests. Mistakes in rhythm are the by far the most common cause of audition failure. Slow and even is much better than fast and sloppy.
Practice your usual amount the day before. Do plenty, but don't wear yourself out.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2013-09-17 15:31
DRAT! I asked a question a couple of weeks ago about how to prepare for auditions. I should have also asked "How to control the butterflies?" For future reference, I'm glad to know that it's acceptable to play slower than the called-for speed. And the next time I see my doc, I'll ask about a beta blocker...or stock up on bananas if she won't prescribe it. As always, GREAT ADVICE! I find out tonight how my audition went a week ago. Making us wait a week is sheer torture!
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Author: MichaelW
Date: 2013-09-18 10:44
If an audition was a sports competition beta blockers would be strictly forbidden as doping (they were used in shooting). So what’s the difference?
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2013-09-18 11:20
Please read the "keepers" thread on beta blockers rather than start a new discussion here.
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Author: Pandamom
Date: 2013-09-18 20:14
Yes, I would stay away from the beta blockers - never heard of bananas though, good to know....
One suggestion I would have, speaking from experience, is to try and slow down your audition piece just a tad, I tend to get faster and faster and faster the more nervous I get. Most of all, have fun, enjoy your music and trust yourself. Good luck and report back how you do.
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Author: Geogio
Date: 2013-09-21 17:03
"At the audition, play slower than your best speed, and count like crazy, particularly on long notes and rests. Mistakes in rhythm are the by far the most common cause of audition failure. Slow and even is much better than fast and sloppy"
Good advice. Also playing the Brahms lullaby sounds good. I prefer Danny Boy or a Beethoven sonatina, something light. Or the theme from Jurassic Park.
Retired electronic engineer, multi-instrumentalist, technical writer.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2013-09-22 16:40
I find it interesting to look at WHY you get nervous, and turn it around to your advantage. For example, if I get nervous about an audition or competition, it is because I'm afraid of being judged because I CARE so much about the outcome of the audition. I'm afraid that if I don't play well, I will not be judged in a good manner and it will invalidate my hard work and sense of self-worth.
I then look at that first part - me really caring about how I'm viewed. I care about the outcome because I'm auditioning because I want to be in that ensemble. This is called enthusiasm. You're nervous because you care, and you're enthusiastic. If you didn't care, you might not get nervous, but you'd probably give a really deadpan performance.
Just today I was adjudicating a competition and the performers that did well were enthusiastic, had energy, enjoyed themselves and the music, but weren't necessarily the most technically competent people there. The most technically competent people looked almost bored, their playing lacked musical direction. Therefore I was bored too. It almost seemed like they didn't care...
I think what I'm trying to say is, don't be afraid to care about what you're doing and to take yourself seriously. You're out there showing a piece of yourself; your personal artistry. Show that. Sell yourself. If you're nervous because you care a lot, so be it. This will shine through and trust me, the panel will pick up on it and might just enjoy the music as much as you!
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