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Position:Home>Performing Arts> How do I calm my nerves for an orchestra audition?Question: How do I calm my nerves for an orchestra audition!? I am going to try out for a local orchestra soon!. I am a good violin player, but when it comes to audition time, I get extremely nervous!. I usually freeze up, my knees buckle, and my whole body shakes!. Any ideas on how to calm my nerves!?Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: 1!. Know your music inside and out!. This comes from "doing your homework"--aka practising, listening to recordings, score study, all that stuff!. Have rebound spots marked in your music--spots that you know where you can get everything back together in case something goes askew!. Sometimes, the rebound may be worth almost as much playing the piece/part very cleanly!. 2!. Perform the piece in front of an audience several times before you audition!. If possible, ask for constructive feedback to help improve your performance!. 3!. Be kind to yourself!. As funny as it sounds, don't shoot for a "perfect performance" as they honestly don't exist!. Instead, shoot for playing very well!. Very few auditions and performances are perfect (if ever), so although it's much easier said than done, don't dwell over mistakes that you may make!. 4!. Practice picturing yourself playing in front of the judges and practice while being in the outfit you will be auditioning in!. - If you find yourself getting nervous--that is actually a good thing!. Picture them writing things down as you're playing, or even smiling during your performance!. If you're doing a blind audition (where you won't see the judges faces), pretend that you're doing the audition in that manner!. Use this opportunity to play through the WHOLE piece several times in a row with NO stops, starting at least a few days before the audition!. This will help with your "rebounding" skills and build endurance for the audition!. Auditions are tiring and you will need the endurance to play through them without completely tiring out 1/2 way through!. Practising in your audition clothes will also give you a better feel of what may happen as a result of being in the clothes!. This especially holds true for dress shoes!. 5!. Be kind to yourself!. Take breaks to do activities that you enjoy or play some pieces that you have fun with!. Try to eat a balanced diet, but don't totally deny yourself either!. You'll also want enough sleep!. On the day of the audition, try to avoid caffiene or unnecessary sugars!. You definitely don't want a caffiene or sugar rush on top of your nerves!. Meal wise, I prefer to have something fairly light before I perform so that I do have some energy in my system!. However, this is just a personal thing!. 6!. Accept your nerves!. It's natural to be nervous when performing in front of an audience!. Embrace the nerves, but don't allow those nerves to overtake your performance!. The audience and judges WANT you to do well and for you to sound your best!. Use this audition as a learning experience because what we learn makes us that much better in the long run!.Www@QuestionHome@Com drink some Chamomile Tea or green leaf tea!.Www@QuestionHome@Com I tell you what,,,,, Try picturing yourself wearing Nothing but your Underware!!!!!.!.!.!.!.!.!.That would really calm them nerves, IF you could keep a straight face!.!!!.!.!.!.!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com How prepared are you!? Do you have all your audition pieces memorized including fingerings, bowings, dynamics, stylistic markings!? Can you play them in your sleep!? Basically your preparedness should take the edge off the nerves!. The second step is to perform your audition in front of as many different people as you can!. So this one is exposure!. Make yourself get over your nerves by practicing being nervous and going through it anyway!. Third, tell yourself that you love the music!. No matter what happens, you're playing music, the most amazing medium of creativity in the world (at least to me)!. Good luck!. ~LisaWww@QuestionHome@Com I know how you feel, i used to be in a orchestra when i was younger, i played 1st violin so the pressure was really on me!. anyway just try really hard not to think about it and remember to breath!.!.!.it is very important to breath!. Talk to some friends to calm your nerves or find a quiet room and go over your piece!. this used to work for me and i hope it does for you too, just remember the most important thing is to have fun with it!Www@QuestionHome@Com Wow, our questions are very similar!. Just different instruments!. :P <3Www@QuestionHome@Com |