resonator

I have taken a couple college auditions and nerves have gotten the best of me. I have played the music, but it has been cursed with missed notes, spleahs, and other impurities. I seriously feel that if it wasen't for the nerves i could make a great performance. After all, my concerto (arutunian) is not new to me. I played it my junior year for all-state and got a perfect rating so im expecting to play it even better. But that hasen't happened. What can i do to play up to my full potential? How can i prepare? My next audition is tomorrow. THanks

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I play a Bb trumpet with a mouthpiece. This is the only set up that works for everybody.

ecarroll

Res,

Concentrate on making the music come to life, not evaluating how you're doing, and put that thought of "I got a perfect score (whatever that means) with this a year ago" to rest. Make the music happen now!

Staying in "realtime" is a performer's greatest challange. Those who can do it, rather than thinking ahead or, worse, looking back at missed notes, are the ones that channel their energy through their horn rather than sending it to their shaking knees.

We've all been there, amigo. Concentrate on the music and make it happen. Listen. Sing. Let it fly.

Good luck,
EC

beartrumpet74

res-
keep things simple and think only of the music
i.e. dynamics, phrasing, and sound, among other things.
Remember colleges aren't looking for finished products when it comes to a player, otherwise, what would be the sense to have you attend?
Just put your best musical foot forward, and don't worry about missed notes or fracks. If you play with style, great sound and musical cohearance, they will take you....
Good luck- go to bed early and think of something other than your audition..
Best
Matt

stephenwright

Res,

I don't know if you know of the Allen Vizzutti trumpet method? There are some thoughts in the front of that about how to cope with performance nerves. He backs up what EC was saying about staying in "realtime" which is important. I think Vizzutti eventually decides that when you find yourself faltering just fall back and concentrate on the air going through the horn. This is what I've always tried to do anyway but somehow I've never quite managed to get over performance nerves completely. I've got a couple of things this thursday (29th) so we'll see how I go!

Stephen

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Denis Wick 3E