tips for a successful audition
"There are no auditions, there are only performances." - Janet Bookspan
- Think of your audition as a chance to give a musically convincing performance
- Keep this thought in mind: Everyone in the room during your audition wants very much for you to perform well.
- Prepare the etude and your improvisation to the highest level you are capable of.
- Remember, in jazz rhythm is way more important than notes (though correct notes are important too!).
- Use the MP3s on this site in your practice. It will greatly speed up the learning process and allow you to focus on working the
details.
- Find an audition buddy or buddies (on your instrument or a different instrument) to practice with. Play together and listen to each
other and offer constructive feedback. Take turns performing mock auditions where one plays and the other plays the role of
adjudicator. It's way more fun to practice with other people!
- Make sure you are well rested and well-fed before your audition. It really does make a difference.
- If something goes wrong during the audition, don't sweat it! Dwelling on mistakes will only succeed in bringing about more
mistakes.
- Music is more than notes and rhythms. Dont forget dynamics, articulations, etc.!
- Even if you think you can't improvise...do the improvisation on your audition.
- Thoroughly prepare in every way possible.
- Don't freak out when you get nervous. Nerves are natural when you're auditioning and show that you care about what you're
doing. Channel that nervousness into musical energy!
- Whatever you do, don't wait until the last minute to practice your material.
- Exaggerate just about every aspect of your performance. Make the short note shorter. Make the soft passage softer. Swing even
harder! Your loud stuff is already loud enough, though.
- Be early to your audition time. Give yourself time to warm-up, focus on the task at hand, and chill out. If you're rushed, it will show
up in your playing and you'll be more mistake prone.
- The musicians who practice the most for their audition will do the best!
- Keep this thought in mind: Everyone in the room during your audition wants very much for you to perform well.
- Prepare the etude and your improvisation to the highest level you are capable of.
- Remember, in jazz rhythm is way more important than notes (though correct notes are important too!).
- Use the MP3s on this site in your practice. It will greatly speed up the learning process and allow you to focus on working the
details.
- Find an audition buddy or buddies (on your instrument or a different instrument) to practice with. Play together and listen to each
other and offer constructive feedback. Take turns performing mock auditions where one plays and the other plays the role of
adjudicator. It's way more fun to practice with other people!
- Make sure you are well rested and well-fed before your audition. It really does make a difference.
- If something goes wrong during the audition, don't sweat it! Dwelling on mistakes will only succeed in bringing about more
mistakes.
- Music is more than notes and rhythms. Dont forget dynamics, articulations, etc.!
- Even if you think you can't improvise...do the improvisation on your audition.
- Thoroughly prepare in every way possible.
- Don't freak out when you get nervous. Nerves are natural when you're auditioning and show that you care about what you're
doing. Channel that nervousness into musical energy!
- Whatever you do, don't wait until the last minute to practice your material.
- Exaggerate just about every aspect of your performance. Make the short note shorter. Make the soft passage softer. Swing even
harder! Your loud stuff is already loud enough, though.
- Be early to your audition time. Give yourself time to warm-up, focus on the task at hand, and chill out. If you're rushed, it will show
up in your playing and you'll be more mistake prone.
- The musicians who practice the most for their audition will do the best!