How I (finally) won my first full time audition: Part 3 - Audition Day Breakdown

I've taken over 20 auditions for full time orchestra jobs on double bass, and I want to share what finally worked for me. This is part three in a 3 part series.
Part one: • How I (finally) won my...
Part two: • How I (finally) won my...
#orchestra #audition #music
My website (go here for lessons): www.bobbyscharm...
My Instagram: @bobby.scharmann / bobby.scharmann
0:00 - Intro
0:28 - What to do the week before
3:44 - What to bring
5:25 - Getting to the hall / checking in
6:44 - Private warmup room
8:18 - The audition room
10:16 - After playing your round
10:36 - Outro
11:44 - Blooper reel

[@leifdering3600]

Hey Bobby, I just took my first pro audition for a regional orchestra last weekend, and I followed lots of your advice from this series... and I got hired! Thanks for putting this out there publicly for everyone to see, this is an excellent resource and made the whole process feel much less overwhelming for me. Playing in front of the screen for the first time was a trip!

[@BobbyScharmann]

hey, that's fantastic news! so glad you found it helpful, and huge congrats on your win!! cheers!

[@leifdering3600]

@@BobbyScharmann Thanks for the kind words! What was also interesting was I totally thought I blew my chances on my solo Bach, it didn't go very well IMO. It's interesting how sometimes a mistake that you feel is a big deal winds up not being a deal breaker for the committee.

[@BobbyScharmann]

totally! in my most recent audition that i won, i asked to play a Mozart excerpt again in semis and heard the committee chair say "....okay...?", as to say "...well it sounded good to me, but sure go for it" haha. we are our own worst critic at the end of the day, after all.

[@AnthonyWilliams-hp9fs]

Brilliant set of videos. Thanks so much for sharing. Wish I’d known some of this 20 years ago when I was first starting out on my audition journey here in the UK. About 20 auditions later and a number of trial contracts I managed to get my first job 10 years ago!

[@BobbyScharmann]

i wish i would have figured things out 20 auditions ago 🙃 whether or not i will ever figure it out again is yet to be seen. thanks for watching! glad you enjoyed them.

[@johns4858]

Thanks for going so in-depth Bobby! It’s really great to see someone’s process start to finish. Also congrats, enjoy the gig!

[@BobbyScharmann]

thanks John!

[@colincbass414]

Great job Bobby! I thoroughly enjoyed all 3 videos in this series. I’ve been lucky enough enjoy some success at auditions, but now I’m a little older and have been continuing to take auditions with mixed success. Your videos gave me a fresh perspective!

[@BobbyScharmann]

thanks Colin! i know we've never met but i have passively followed your journey via the Talkbass audition winners page. was stoked to hear you got some staying power in Oregon 👍🏻

[@MotoMoto-ld9gi]

I’m in middle school playing bass, and I hope to see you in person at an isb convention or a masterclass or maybe even on the stage in a decade or so!

[@BobbyScharmann]

i would like that also! feel free to reach out anytime throughout your bass journey - my contact info is on my website 👍🏻

[@jilgbass6287]

Congrats Bobby!! Well deserved!!

[@BobbyScharmann]

thanks Jorge!

[@karinafabianehilariodossan2110]

Thanks at all

[@zachm4109]

Wonderful video series and congrats! It would be great to hear your thoughts and strategies on traveling to auditions. Traveling can be tiring, especially when you have to drive several days to get there.

[@BobbyScharmann]

thanks Zach! i definitely hear you on the slog of the drive...i pretty much exclusively drive to auditions because, knowing my luck, i'd put my bass on a plane and that would be when someone accidentally drops it and breaks it. i did a handful of long drives last year - Charleston, Rochester, and Toronto specifically were all two day drives from Omaha. aside from typical road trip necessities like snacks, music, podcasts, etc., i was introduced to the concept of the "driving pillow" by a friend...which is exactly what it sounds like. i put a pillow on my lap / across the left armrest and it helps me not put weight/pressure on my left elbow on a 12 hour drive. something else i messed around with was trying to mentally run my excerpts in my head while on a particularly uneventful stretch of road. i kinda want to do a video about mental practice sometime, but i would try to imagine myself physically playing my rep: moving my hands, making the shifts...and it's harder than it sounds (at least for me). when i was burned out on music or podcasts i did some of that which i'm sure was helpful in some way. is there a particular aspect of long drivesdr that is difficult/tiring/etc for you?

[@zachm4109]

Thanks for the thorough response! Physically, I’m pretty good with the driving, it’s the mental aspect of keeping your chops up and mind sharp. I’d really like to discuss further in a dm.

[@BobbyScharmann]

for sure man - you're welcome to hit me up on Insta or Facebook!

[@karinafabianehilariodossan2110]

Please, make more video about studies in hard part

[@rightnote1]

This is SO awesome! You are a master. I'll donate to the site if you'll play "Bleed" without a pick. Just like we use to do!

[@BobbyScharmann]

hahaha sometimes i put it on and try to tap out the rhythms and my right hand doesn't move fast enough 😂 my metal chops are way out of shape lol

[@jamesgiles4061]

It is the way.

[@BobbyScharmann]

😌😌