BigBadWolf

Manny,
I've been out of school for about 3 years (2 in between undergrad and grad and 1 after grad) and am currently freelancing hoping to get a full time job. So, I am taking auditions. So far I have only taken 7 auditions and have advanced in a couple. But I can't get over that final hump and win one. So, I was just wondering what your thoughts are on how to prepare and the like.

Thanks in advance
Kevin

tpter1

This is going to be interesting. Personally, I would like to know how to get past round 1 for the next time something nearby comes along...My goal is to do better than last time and make round 2, at least!

Manny Laureano

"I've been out of school for about 3 years (2 in between undergrad and grad and 1 after grad) and am currently freelancing hoping to get a full time job. So, I am taking auditions. So far I have only taken 7 auditions and have advanced in a couple. But I can't get over that final hump and win one. So, I was just wondering what your thoughts are on how to prepare and the like."

Tpter1,

In can't really address all that you like for one reason and that is that without hearing you play and knowing what the respective committees have wanted, there's too much of the puzzle to put together.

What I will tell you is what I've heard people do that knocks them out of the running.

The first and foremost aspect of playing that goes afoul is rhythm, specifically subdivision. Vacchiano drilled that into me so much that to hear something improperly subdivided is like hearing nails on a blackboard. Intonation follows a close second. There are certain notes and instances that will be somewhat forgiven but chronic intonation problems will get you knocked out quickly. I list these first because they'll knock you out on a taped round as well.

Not knowing the proper tempo is an indication of experience. If you're looking for someone with proper experience and you hear tempi that are eccentric or uncomfortable, you'll not rate that candidate highly.

Breathing in unmusical places because you happen to have an extra large set of lungs will get you tossed out, in my book.

Overphrasing in a garish, affected way makes my flesh crawl. Like people that insist on playing pickup notes to another note that is a wide interval away much louder.

You don't get that? Okay... take Academische Fest, for instance:

DAH deeeeh dah dah daaaaah da, DAAAH deeeee dah dee daah...

Cooties on that, I'm afraid.

The same sound for each and every lick you play is not going to play well with me. I'd like to hear some different vibrati, tone colors, character of articulation, for starters.

Well, there you go. That's a random sampling of things I hate to hear. Hope it helps.

ML