College Audition Tips for Clarinet (or any other instrument!)

[@Zues0282]

Hey John, I've been watching your videos for a couple months now and i just want to thank you for all the amazing videos you've done so far. You managed to help me pick new equipment and even get a clarinet part in my city's philharmonic orchestra. Please keep making videos, because you have no idea how much it really helps people!

[@john.kurokawa]

Congratulations on the win and thanks so much- that really means a lot! I appreciate it!

[@msclarinet89]

Great video, John. I like the new mic setup. Everything is clearer and more resonate. Noise canceling ear buds is a great tip. I can't tell you how many times I've endured other prospects' closed-door sounds! I don't think you covered this: if you are auditioning for a school that does not reserve a private warm-up room for you, arrive plenty early in advance if you are counting on warming up before your audition. I auditioned for a school years ago that did not do this, so I only had time to warm up for 10 minutes when I arrived over an hour early to my audition. The added stress did not help.

[@john.kurokawa]

I bet! Thanks for the tip and thanks for watching!

[@oophusr]

Just found out I made 1st Chair All-State for flute! Looks like this video was good luck 😂

[@john.kurokawa]

Great job! Congratulations! I’m glad this helped. Thanks for watching!

[@amaypant]

This audio setup is a lot better! The clarinet sounds more colorful, and your voice is richer and clearer. I think it's quite good! On the topic of setup, I notice you're using a leather ligature. Is it a Rovner or Vandoren, or something different? I'll update this comment as I go through the video.

[@john.kurokawa]

Thanks Amay! It’s actually a Woodstone Kodama II. I like that the point of contact on the reed is a piece of wood! It has a cleaner sound for recording up close. I haven’t tried it in a large ensemble yet. Thanks as always for your support!

[@amaypant]

@@john.kurokawa interesting! Looks like the whole Woodstone lineup is appealing to you; did you end up sticking with their reeds? Do let me know if you try it in large ensemble; I'm so intrigued!

[@Ryan_____________________]

Nicee, thanks

[@john.kurokawa]

No problem! Thanks for watching!

[@genarocernalara5163]

Gracias Mtro 😊

[@MaciStevens-u7y]

i'm a freshman and REALLY want to try All-State I'd say I'm at like a Sophmore or Junior level tbh but I'm TERRIFIED. I play clarinet are there any tips?? ESPECIALLY for fast tempos, sixteenth notes and all that stuff

[@john.kurokawa]

I can certainly understand your plight. Everyone can get intimidated by difficult pieces of music. A few suggestions: 1. Study privately with a good teacher. They can help you break down difficult passages and provide helpful suggestions and practice strategies. 2. Practice fast passages SLOWLY- 10 times slow, one time fast! 3. Use a metronome. 4. Be patient and be kind to yourself! I have a video on appraoching fast passages: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4rRgJmjfsZ1aqcsi=SsOd7_bkRbLuJfrw I hope this helps!

[@AnamobisThgirb]

I have questions about OMEA All-State with how I should practice. Do you have any way of helping me?

[@john.kurokawa]

Are the excerpts posted yet?

[@will-clarinet]

@@john.kurokawamarch 1st