4 Audition Tips!

[@ttm894]

What does a music store have? STAFF!!

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

... and a lot of treble? XD

[@Bobthe1st2]

When I practice with a metronome (which is rare) it actually throws me off and makes it really hard to like jump in (at the right time of course, like to count me in) and start playing without having to constantly think whether I'm exactly hitting each note/beat at the right time.

[@tristankincaid7237]

try adding subdivision?

[@valerier3673]

Me too. I play by ear but my band teacher is trying to get me to count

[@coraislame]

I'm about to audition next week for an all-state band. You uploaded just in time haha!

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

+Cora B Hahahaha, I'm glad I could help!

[@hannahmorgan7213]

Which state are you auditioning in?

[@yahirm7609]

I have region next month. im shook.

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

You got this!!!! :D

[@irianaaa._]

Y.M flute me too

[@Sam-rc1yz]

i think my audition is in December but good luck to you

[@huntermessick6743]

i have region today ;-;

[@autumnmaxwell1018]

Y.M flute I have region in two days 😭😭

[@oliviadawn9002]

I don’t have a private teacher... going to audition for a college today. Thanks for the tips!

[@oliviadawn9002]

I made it in!!

[@lelafritzer2955]

@@oliviadawn9002 Congrats!

[@haileybennett8015]

This is really helpful, I am auditioning for junior all-state band thanks!

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

+Hailey Bennett you're welcome! All the best!

[@happyclonetrooper]

wowww, what a coincidence since i just had an audition for pit orchestra on Thursday, but hey, at least i got it!

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

+happyclonetrooper All the best!!! 😊

[@bussybiter96]

this helped because i have all district auditions in like a week

[@LA1204]

About to prepare my first audition for Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra !!!

[@jemimadrews8993]

My rhythm is tragic. I work on it so hard before every audition. I proceed to record myself while practising and then listen and cry because my internal pulse is about as steady as a cat with its tail on fire... Do you have any tips for growing an internal pulse? I work with the metronome constantly already. Thanks!

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

+Jemima Drews The problem I ran into with working with a metronome when I was younger was that I 100% relied on it for my tempo, rather than learning to sync my internal pulse with it. Think of it like a mechanical conductor. Whenever we're in ensemble, we end up syncing our internal pulse with the external visual of our conductor beating the beats out for us. We have to do the same thing with the metronome! Over time, as you consciously sync your internal pulse to the external pulse of the metronome, you'll begin to develop a stronger internal pulse too! All the best! 😊

[@leahmariahauck3499]

That's a great tip! When I had this problem my teacher just said: well, it's the first time I say this, but practice without your metronome! @Jemima Drews: I know what you're feeling like! I hope it will get better soon!

[@Patrick-eu6gi]

Thanks for the video. I play trumpet, but most of it applies. I got nervous for my youth orchestra audition and missed every high note. Oh well, hopefully rhythm, technique and sight reading can place me!

[@ginaluizzi1498]

Tone is one of the biggest things I'm working on in my lessons at the moment! I struggle with what my professor calls sounding "unsure", because I just overthink my playing a lot of the time. It's frustrating at times because I know what I'm supposed to be playing, but I get to the point where I mess up because I overthink too much, making my tone sound bad. Any advice? Every point you hit in this video is everything my professor and I talk about in my lessons hahaha! I'm auditioning in the winter to transfer from community college to 4 year next fall, so I've been working my butt off. Hahahaha. Easily the most stressful thing I've ever done, but I know it'll be so worth it someday!

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

+Gina Luizzi I think the weird part for me was that the moment I accepted myself for the way I play *currently* was the moment I stopped overthinking my playing. It wasn't so much, "I know how to play this perfectly, so I need to execute it perfectly to show that I CAN play this," as much as, "Let's just play this and see what happens. I already practiced and what I'll play is what I practiced. If I do something wrong, I can learn from it and do better next time." You see what I mean? It's the same situation, but just framed differently. I accept the way I play now, but I also keep my eyes and ears open to keep learning, even if that means that I learn from my own mistakes. My mistakes are no longer reflections of how bad a musician I am, but are now opportunities for me to learn and grow. I hope that makes sense and helps! All the best!

[@loganfoster6370]

I had the same problem with over thinking it and I kept experimenting my embouchure and eventually I got it. I think it just takes time and it’s different for everyone

[@twoheartkade]

I'm auditioning for Mid-state day after tomorrow!!! This really helps, thank you!

[@Kridesaxguy]

Man this is so true for any band you audition for , Rock, pop, jazz you name it. Rhythm and tone and are key K

[@ashkk1112]

Oh my God... During this whole entire video what I noticed about you was all of your hand motions.. LOL!! BTW, awesome video! It actually helped a lot on what I have to focus on my next auditions!

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

Perfect! And maybe I was a conductor in another life, haha! XD

[@Evangelionism]

*Question:* You're a musician who's pursued music (and musical studies) through and following college. You enrolled in the necessary programs and now actively engage in a variety of opportunities in which your skills (and previous studies) have afforded and earned you to partake. As someone about to enter my first year of post-secondary education, I'm wondering what one as established as yourself - who's succeeded their first year - sought after college in terms of opportunities to develop and express your musical expertise. I'm somewhat nervous, but my heart has always been in composition, with the "end goal" being a career as a composer for multimedia (classical performance, motion, television, and perhaps games). Most of all, I write music because there is truly nothing else on the planet that pleases my spirit more than the simple act of dictating sound. That said, perhaps some insight or experiential perspective would help me on my own endeavours - before school, and in tail. *I am interested in knowing what it is you saw for yourself in the distant future before you decided musical studies was something that interested you, that is, prior to entering college.* PS. - Thank you for the auditions advice.

[@johnnypooncy]

I got an audition for the Boston Youth Philharmonic Orchestra next month! My g# key is loose and the solder fell off, now it’s time to use my silver hj on my Yamaha student model!

[@anomalouscoffee2159]

Thank you for this!! :) I have my high school pre area auditions for TMEA next Tuesday.. Wish me luck!! :D

[@kiaraeijo]

I feel like sometimes in auditions, tone is more important than technique. I don’t have the best sight reading skills but I always try to practice slow and practice difficult passages in chunks.😃❤️🎼

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

That's the way to do it! My thinking is that tone takes hardcore development over time, whereas technique can usually be corrected much more quickly. :)

[@itsguidry8125]

You should have made this video a week ago. My region auditions were a week ago.

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

+IcE kurapicraze929 I also wish I had seen this video years ago before my first auditions 😂

[@delaceybradford86]

thank you for making this video :) i feel way better with my audition tomorrow!!

[@pedrohbrinck]

Hi Joanna, I'm going to ask another question, because well, I love your channel even being a pianist... I'm researching with Musician's Health... There are research that shows that up to 89% of musicians (especially orchestra musicians) will have some kind of pain problems and/or injury during their careers. I'm dealing with one for three years now that I didn't take much care at the beginning and now I might need to have a surgery in my elbow :/ ... I'm unable to practice piano but I'm 'solfeging' everything I can. I'm wondering how do you suggest to us when it comes to dealing with injuries, practice, rehearsals, and etc?

[@raynegoins]

Pedro Henrique Brinck I would love to see a video on this! After years of bad posture while playing the flute im currently nursing some very serious tendon damage in both wrists, and I’d love to hear Joanne’s take on this

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

+Pedro Henrique Brinck Yes, this is a huge problem. I noticed it early on in my music school years. It nearly happened to me too, and I ended up only practicing for 15-30 min a day for 2-3 weeks (lots of strategic practicing to accomplish this!) in order to keep my hands/wrists from developing carpal tunnel. I'll keep this in mind for a future video. It's a touchy topic because some people think you should push through to be a "worthy musician", but if you injure yourself to the point of not being able to play the instrument, then what's the point?

[@pedrohbrinck]

JustAnotherFlutist yes. not only a touchy subject but one that still daunts musicians. Having a injury can be a matter of career threatening. About me... actually this injury is with me since my first year of music school. I decided to try to get as much of my technique and repertoire ready as fast as possible and then I got an elbow injury because of the overuse (more like abuse) of my finger and wrists... then my professor at the time gave me a lecture on how a musician should never ever put their first instrument (the body) into much strain. She even tried to pay a doctor appointment to me to see if it was that bad and what happened - she's that sweet but the problem was mine alone since I decided to prove myself to anyone . At the time nothing showed at my medical exams... she decided to help rebuild my practice routine... and well I insisted on trying to be at the highest productivity I could even she asking me to go easy on myself... the injury got worse afterwards since I wasn't properly resting and being easy on myself. Now I get to stay one whole year without playing... physiotherapy and rest and medication aren't helping since it is my third time trying that hard and I'm probably going to surgery to remove scar tissue that is getting to trap my radial nerve. But now this experience is also turning in to my research for my final paper... and she's helping me even though I did disobey her twice.

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

+Pedro Henrique Brinck Wow, that's tough. At the same time, though, I'm really glad you've channelled your energy into researching the topic. Spread the word! We all have your back! 😊 I'll also talk about it in a future video.

[@pedrohbrinck]

JustAnotherFlutist sharing makes it easier and now I understand that our bodies are our first instruments, and that we should take care of our body with as much love as we do for our instruments. I'm going to see the doctor next week... reading about what can cause those injuries and what we can do to prevent and take care for longer careers is nice. And I also got to understand that is even tougher for the orchestra musician for a lot of reasons that doesn't fit in a KZbin comment. There are nowadays a body of knowledge that is accessible to us - even the medical part is easy and okay to understand. The worst part of it all is only being able to study music for the left hand (no baroque!!!!!) and ear training. But well that part of my journey that will be useful to my future students. Taking care of the self is being able to make music longer. Everyday I remember myself to enjoy more the process instead of running for results. Thank you for responding to my comment. It means a lot.

[@mvsic339]

Ok so I’m auditioning for a high school concert band chair placements tomorrow and yes I know this is a very minor thing compared to what you were referring to in the video but I’m nervous as heck because 1) I want to be placed either 1st or 2nd chair to prove to myself and my band director that I CAN be as good as I was back in middle school (and yes I think I was better than I am now in mid school). And 2) I wannna get a high chair so I won’t have to play 2nd flute like what I had to do last year. I think my problem is that I just get so nervous during auditions that I overthink my fingerings too much that I mess up rlly bad. And these past few weeks I practiced so hard but I’m still nervous now not because I feel like I don’t know the stuff but because Of the fact that I will be nervous during the tryout and mess up just like last year. Ok I just had to rant a lil bit. Jdjdjemdnnxjejd fjskskskxd. I’m going to sleep now

[@灵灵-c2t]

Nice I'm always nervous since I'm piccolo and everyone can hear me😥😅😥 Death to me if I mess up on my part

[@ziyannajones5536]

thank the lord . i'm a good player in the 2nd top band but everytime i have region for 2 years straight i have messed up on my music when i know i have played better thank you so much!!

[@oof-9681]

Thank you so much. I have region auditions next week from today and I am freaking out.

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

You got this!!!!! :D

[@mrwhisker8913]

Thank you so much for this, I'm auditioning for SCSBOA ( Southern California State Band and Orchestra Association ) and I'm really nervous. Ik that I still have a whole month but I'm freaking out so thanks again

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

+Mrwhiskers 109 You've got this!! Keep the bigger picture in mind, you'll do great!

[@cosplaypika7226]

I have auditions in November but Idk what day. I got my music a month late while everyone else got their music at the right time so that pressure is to be able to get it like the other flutists will be hard. Plus I play tuba but i asked my teacher if i could switch to flute and he said after marching season. I know i dont have te experience all the other flutist have but im not gonna give up, thank you for this video

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

+CosplayPika 722 You're right, don't give up! I would add that you can also try just not caring how the other flutists play. You were given a much shorter time to learn the music, so you just do what you can with the music and RUN WITH IT! It's not your fault that it happened this way, so don't put that burden on yourself! Have fun and see what happens! You got this 😊

[@cosplaypika7226]

JustAnotherFlutist Thank you so much 😊

[@ellapeirce5103]

I have my ensemble placement audition in 2 weeks for college ahhhh!!! 😆

[@wendyc9442]

I am so bad at sightreading rhythms. I learned pretty much most of music theory from being in band at my school(im self taught pretty much since i dont take lessons) but stupid me didnt pay attention like the first two years of band class so now im bad at rhythms. i have no one else but myself to blame lol why do i do this to myself ripp. my tone is okay though but my tone gets thin on notes higher than the high G with the ledger lines above the staff(thats called fourth octave right?) and i have to play chaminade for a county honor band audition this january as a high school freshman. i dont know how i’ll do it because even the second flutist at our school got last chair last year and the first flutist at our school got like 2nd chair and theyre both upperclassmen who has played for longer than i am. kinda stressed and intimidated uwaaaaaa. the parts in chaminade where it goes really high and the parts where it gets lower to like the C key and you play 32nd notes is hard for me because im not used to switching over the low c key that fast. Im shooketh lol. the only validation i have as a player is that i got 6th chair out of 10 flute players who got in(and about 40 flutes auditioned) last year in middle school honor band even tho i got the music 3 months later than everyone else, but high school honor band is more competitive and different.

[@christian6262]

I have my schools symphonic band auditions tomorrow and I’m so scared

[@trippy2239]

Hey can you do a piccolo LefreQue video, I've been looking into it but I'm not sure if I want to get one yet. If you could that would be fantastic! :)

[@hannahmorgan7213]

Can you do a video on the most effective way to practice? I need help preparing my etudes for State.

[@rosemarycrafting1202]

My choir director always says "If you have the rhythm right and the notes wrong, you're half wrong. If you have the pitches right but the rhythm wrong, you're just all the way wrong"

[@creepymiku3598]

You are so informative and Inspiring! I love you soooo much Joanna!!!❤️💛💚💙💜😊😍😍😍

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

Awww, thanks!!! ^_^

[@creepymiku3598]

JustAnotherFlutist No Problem Sweetie 😊😊

[@rivahgotmusic]

Just got finished my audition for the MMEA District 2 Festival. I got an 88 out of 100. My nerves made that score pretty low. All-State next month!

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

+River Stickney That's no low score! Be proud of what you accomplished! Think about it, you scored that high *even under crazy nerves*! That's no small feat! 😊

[@allyson.robinson]

i get extreme performance and audition anxiety and i beat myself up over it constantly. i have a flute competition next month and im already stressing over it, and im extremely fearful, but i'm trying to overcome it. how do i cope with this fear of playing in front of crowds, and how do i handle myself whenever i feel like i am going to freak out during my audition? i have been playing for 7 years but i am still struggling with this and have yet to find anything that helps me.

[@starimuicon]

Yes the all city and I'm scared. Cause I was in beginning band but now I'm in advanced so its kinda scary since other students have gone through all levels and not skip one..

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

+Blizarrd You got this. You know how you play, and it's not fair to compare your journey with others' journeys. Everyone learns differently and has a different journey with their instruments. You do you and keep chugging along! 😊

[@sophieh915]

Thanks for making this video, my audition is in 2 days!

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

Go get 'em! :D

[@bailey2737]

I have a audition in 4 days for a jazz band that's for all the schools in my school board ahhhh

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

You got this!!!! :D

[@gheesecake6387]

i have chair order auditions soon *shook*

[@melodyli1223]

I have a question about the sight reading: if you botch a rhythm or a few notes, do you pause and play it again, or keep going as if you're in a band and skip or miss some notes in order to keep in time? Does it depend on how badly you mess it up? Thank you so much for your awesome advice!!

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

+Melody Li Keep going as if you're in band! That's how you show that you can keep up with everyone! 😊

[@melodyli1223]

JustAnotherFlutist Ah thank you so much for clarifying for me! You're a huge help and honestly the reason why I started practicing smart ✨

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

+Melody Li I'm so glad! I wasted far too many years not practicing smart, and it warms my heart to know that these videos can prevent you guys from making the same mistakes that I did! 😊

[@alexisreid6577]

I've been deciding whether or not I should apply to an arts orientated highschool, as opposed to my current highschool. When applying you have to audition and these tips are helpful, I'm just wondering if I should go through with applying or not, because there's always someone better and I might not be good enough for the school. Should I apply or not?

[@keirakhami166]

How do I stop shaking during auditions???

[@gabbyvalmoria2995]

i have region auditions next month and i get extremely nervous before any performance even if it's a rehearsal. any tips on how to get rid of any nervousnes before performimg?

[@jeremyvaldez3227]

i have districts audition in two months.. im playing faures fantasie

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

+jeremy Ohhh, that's a pretty one! Go get 'em! 😊

[@m1n03]

Stupid question...but do I have to audition for marching band?

[@bubblebob229]

Probably chair placement

[@m1n03]

idk if im confused or i know

[@ArjunSharma-wi3jp]

I am trying for julliards ,i am an indian flute player ive learmt indian classical ...my fingers are smooth and ive a good hearing ...i am into metal ,rock stuff ....if you can guide me.through process .

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

That's why I made this video! ;) You just gotta practice the material they assign, make sure you know what everything sounds like in context (with full orchestra/accompaniment), and do your best when you get to the audition! All the best!

[@ArjunSharma-wi3jp]

JustAnotherFlutist thanks a looot .

[@ArjunSharma-wi3jp]

JustAnotherFlutist actually i wanted to know if i would need any specific trainning certificate for flute because​ here in india our guru teaches us and we learn raagas there is no specific degree ive some certificate of my s.t pauls school ..

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

In my understanding, there's no specific training you need to get into the bachelor's degree, but a master's degree requires a bachelor's. Just know that you'll be learning Western classical music from Juilliard, maybe do some more research in that field before you audition. :)

[@ArjunSharma-wi3jp]

JustAnotherFlutist you are really nice ....thanks .!

[@pleeksabby5917]

Yay I have all state auditions in 10 days...

[@sortaswim81419]

My wind ensemble director is driven crazy by the fact that most of the band is playing on their phones. We're a pretty laid back group but some people keep making remarks at every possible moment. Its SO frustrating! I just want to make good music, and while its important to have fun, my conductor's "we need to be on the same page" speech is not fun to listen to.

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

+Gianna Magrino I can see how frustrating that can be for everyone. At that point, I wonder if maybe there needs to be a phone policy put in place so there are no misunderstandings. My own orchestra has no problem with phone usage if you're just sitting through hundreds of bars of rests, and there seems to be a mutual understanding between the conductor and musicians that in this day and age, even if you're reading a book, you're probably gonna be reading it on an electronic device.

[@sortaswim81419]

JustAnotherFlutist Our school does have a "no phones during class except lunch" rule. I guess soms people just think band and lunch are the same thing

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

+Gianna Magrino Dang, sounds like it just needs to be enforced then. Sigh! At this point, just know that you're doing your part to follow the rules and be a true team player. No one can control anyone else, so while it's great to set a good example for others, we also need to keep in mind that ultimately, we're not responsible for others' actions and decisions, so try not to put that burden on yourself. Keep your observations of others doing disruptive things in your own memory bank so you know what not to do and so you can teach others in the future if you're placed in a role of authority (and explain why and what happened that caused you to put certain rules in place!). That's how I deal with these kings of things, and I hope it helps you! 😊

[@sortaswim81419]

JustAnotherFlutist Thanks! Honestly, some of those people are just plain annoying and some are seniors with bad cases of Senior-Itis. Lol! You are awesome. So glad we can relate!

[@NoodleyBits]

It drives me crazy when my director has to stop rehearsal to tell the same person to slow down or play softer. We have a trumpet player who thinks it's best to play as fast and as loud as he can so every week and every song our director has to stop rehearsal to say "Don't just play notes, play music. Slow down and not so loud. We need to hear the melody in the flute section, not the long tones in the trumpets" My band does not have auditions, we're very informal that way, but the above mentioned trumpet player has mentioned auditioning for other local bands and not getting in...I'm thinking his rhythm and tone did it. It's not always about being fast and loud,

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

Hahaha, there you have it! I don't think people always realize that doing this kind of thing doesn't just bog down the rehearsal, but it's also pretty annoying to everyone else. It's cool when the conductor stops everyone to suggest a different style of playing (play at the front of the beat, back of the beat, maybe more momentum, etc.), but if it's just because of your rhythm, it's kind of :/

[@tristankincaid7237]

lol I have the same problem but different. of us 8 clarinets, about 3 of us ever play louder than mf!

[@snowisgae5173]

I have a audition today so I’m scared 😂 😂 😂

[@aluvrianne]

Ha-ha! In my experience, the less time the conductor focuses on me, the more time they can focus on the high brass being out of whack.

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

+aluvrianne imicara Hahahahaha, I have to confess that that's one of the reasons I always practiced ensemble music really hard! I also didn't want to be singled out unnecessarily! 😆

[@haleyanderson3982]

I have districts and counties coming up!!!!!!

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

Well then you go get 'em!!

[@terroroftacos]

I should practice owo

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

+terroroftacos Practice time! 😊

[@kayleegaleano4046]

My anxiety reeks

[@justinvlogandgameing2253]

I just got a flute I'm 10 years old 😎

[@iamhassa91]

Justin Vlogs i am too just got my flute almost 2-3 days ago, so good luck 😊

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

+Justin Vlogs/Gaming Woohoo, enjoy the ride! Flute adventures, here we come!

[@JustAnotherFlutist]

+iam hassa Have fun!! Flute is fun 😊

[@LuluLulu-id1hd]

Justin Vlog And Gameing congratulations!😊

[@oeyoey421]

you should include your boyfriend in a video!