Auditioning

If you ever start getting nervous before your audition, just take a minute and breathe. You know you're prepared, it's just your nerves getting to you. And if that doesn't help, use your nervousness to help you play! Use this adrenaline rush to boost your playing. 

You got this. 

Practice tip #3

Never practice something that you’re not ready to play! You might think you’re doing yourself a favor by challenging yourself, but in all reality you are doing nothing. Practice pieces that are challenging and helpful. Play a level higher than you, not 5 levels higher! You’ll get there. Take baby steps.

Practice tip #2

If you ever feel stuck, or can’t figure out what to do, give yourself a 5 minute break to relax and think. You might be over working yourself. Stretch out your arms and fingers. When you get back into practice mode, slowly start breaking the section you can’t figure out, one note at a time. Be patient.

Practice tip #1

Scales can be fun until they get boring and old. To spice things up a bit, instead of starting from your lowest note, start with the highest note and work your way down the scale. It’s harder to play backwards than forwards and it will help with intonation. Also do what I call “cell work” just focus getting 3 notes really in tune and then the next 3 notes, then connect those and get those 6 notes in tune. Sounds tedious, but it’s really helpful.