10 Tips on How to Deal with a Bad Audition Pianist

We've all been there. You work really hard on prepping for your audition only to have the audition accompanist wreck your hard work! How do you respond in the moment and how do you prevent it from happening ever again? This week Austin is revealing his top 10 tips to deal with a bad audition pianist. Let us know how you respond to this situation in the comments!
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⦿ CHAPTER MARKERS:
0:00 Intro
0:51 Tip #1 Don't Make Faces
2:05 Tip #2 If Really Bad, Stop Early & Fix
4:12 Tip #3 Don't Assume It's a Problem
5:25 Tip #4 Maintain Your Tempo
5:44 Tip #5 Simplify Your Arrangement
6:26 Tip #6 Empathize with Your Accompanist
7:10 Tip #7 Don't Blame Them, Take Responsibility
8:38 Tip #8 Remove the Problem Song
9:02 Tip #9 Clean Up the Score
9:35 Tip #10 Get an Easier Version of the Song
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[@lindaanderson8329]

Love hearing your perspective! I am in such awe of the audition accompanist’s talent...especially a good one! But even a mediocre one deserves respect. That is a really tough job!

[@32BARCUT]

It is a tough job, and there are so many great accompanists out there!

[@VirtualTeachingPro]

Yes yes yes to removing the problem songs! Thanks for mentioning this one because I really needed to hear it this week after testing out a new audition song in the room and realizing in moment that it was not the best choice. It jumps time signatures and isn't that easy to play at first glance so better to just take it out. At least I tested it and can now make that adjustment. Thanks for all the great tips here!

[@thernandezify]

I once went to an audition where they asked us to bring sheet music for our song of choice. We were to sing a pop song. I just so happened to choose "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" but when I presented the sheet music to the accompanist she said she was not familiar with the song and they had me pull out a track to sing along to instead. I rolled with it but was kinda shocked that she was not familiar with the song. It comes to show how one really needs to be prepared for anything.

[@32BARCUT]

OMG! That sounds horrible! Such a good reminder to be ready for anything. Thank you so much for watching and for sharing Taina!

[@VirtualTeachingPro]

I have totally had that happen to me as well with pop songs! What I like to do is have the track on my phone in a google drive folder along with the sheet music so I can pull it out quickly at any audition. It's like you said, gotta be prepared for everything. Especially these days!

[@monicalgarcia3993]

Thank you! Could you go further in music reading expectations for a performer as a musical director? If not being able to sight read is a deal breaker? Btw, I have 3 accounts (unintentionally LOL) and subscribed on all 3. Hoping y’all reach 1000 soon!

[@32BARCUT]

Not being able to sight read is not a deal breaker. I have worked with plenty on the top level who don't. However, it really helps if you do. It is definitely a skill that you should actively work on. A little practice every day will take you a long way in a years time. You got this!

[@VirtualTeachingPro]

I have a ton of pro friends who don't read music and what they do is openly have a conversation with the MD at the first rehearsal and see if they can get any recordings of tracks or their part played to help them best learn the music. I read music but I always like to have my phone recorder ready to go during rehearsals so I can put anything on tape that could help me practice on my own. Really it's just about finding the best way for you to learn the music and feel confident! Best wishes!

[@JoyceeV.]

I don’t understand why everytime I put a song and give it for the pianist he always messes it up and they’re different songs but whatever

[@drewrussellduboff]

Would you consider doing a video on simplifying your audition cut yourself?

[@32BARCUT]

Hey Drew, we haven't forgotten you. We have some videos coming out the next few weeks for you. Let us know if this helps. Austin may also do some videos on creating audition sides in Finale as well. Thanks for subscribing!