One of our favorite quotes is from Abraham Lincoln. We have shared it widely, and will do it again now:
"Give me six hours to
chop down a tree
and I will spend the first four
sharpening the axe."
Wise words. We're paying attention, Abe, and think this is spot on when it comes to preparing for anything, especially auditions!
Today we're talking about the most common audition pitfalls, and apropos to the quote, the first pitfall is this:
#1. We get the list and immediately jump into a practice frenzy. "Where's my Mendelssohn Scherzo!?!?! Ahhh got to get it to metronome = 84 or 88 stat!" Or you cellists might dig through your stack of excerpts for that Don Juan. Violinists, the Heldenleben, and flute players, your Carnival of the Animals!
Nope, stop. This is not going to help you.
Other pitfalls?
#2. Comparing yourself to others. Whether in a general "cattle call” warm up room or hearing someone in the room next door to you, do not, we repeat do not do this. Put on headphones instead!
#3. Focusing too much on “what do they want to hear” or “I need to be perfect”. Both of these are outcome-focused, external expectations that draw you away from being able to present an authentic, committed interpretation.
#4. Allowing others to comment on their perception of the hall or process. Don't let someone's casual comment that they think “the hall is so dry!” create shifts in your approach. One person's “dry” could be another person's “reverberant”.
#5. Not being in tune with yourself!! Big one. Everything is magnified behind the screen, especially intonation inconsistencies.
#6. Not showing your range. Usually we're talking dynamics and intensity of sound, but it can also mean range of character, or style. This usually happens when we get nervous and want to “play it safe”. Instead, put your nervous energy into serving the music in the way the composer intended.
#7. Taking too much time warming up on stage, or in between excerpts. It's a fine line. If you do either of these things, you better sound pretty darn good.
#8. Not having a plan for in-between-excerpts! We'll be talking about the mental side of auditions, and why you need to have a plan to train and quiet the distractible “monkey mind".
Gosh, we could go on and on. What are some you think should go on this list?
Come to the free Audition Reboot, happening Monday to Friday next week with Ralph Skiano to talk about all of this, plus the “one chance” fallacy, managing fear and dealing with self-doubt. Register now:
