What's an orchestral audition like? - Page 2

Blakewdm · #21 09-09-2012, 09:59 PM

I can safely say, that sometimes it takes more than 10 minutes...

Adam Attard · #22 09-09-2012, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blakewdm

I can safely say, that sometimes it takes more than 10 minutes...

I agree...Even though you're quite a bit more qualified than I to say that.

mattgray · #23 09-10-2012, 05:46 AM

I feel like saying that it should 'only take' ten minutes is a bit of an over-simplification...

Andrew McGregor · #24 09-10-2012, 05:49 AM

I'm saying, it should only take 10 minutes to see some improvement.

It can take much, much longer than that to get a passage right. But 10 minutes work on one passage is going to get about as much as you can from one day's work on that particular bit.

PaulCannon · #25 09-10-2012, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew McGregor

I'm saying, it should only take 10 minutes to see some improvement.

It can take much, much longer than that to get a passage right. But 10 minutes work on one passage is going to get about as much as you can from one day's work on that particular bit.

Everybody's different. Depending on the piece, what I'm trying to accomplish, and how I'm working on it, it can take much more than ten minutes to put it all together. Sometimes you need to take a few steps back before you can go forward.

You also seem to be saying that working on a given passage for more than 10 minutes in a day is a waste of time. If I took that to heart, I'd never get anything done.

chicagodoubler · #26 09-10-2012, 05:03 PM

I used to do 10+ a day, but I'm a career doubler, so several hours of that was working on tunes at the piano, basic jazzer and porkchop work, Jamerson book, 16th note studies, transcription, etc...

Please do not be critical of those who spend more or less time with the bass. We all have a different path. I'll often work on a movement of a symphony then play along with a recording. Add the above stuff, scale studies, a solo, and an etude, and 6 hours is cramming to fit everything in.

Regarding what it's like to audition for a professional orchestra, beat yourself in the head with a hammer a couple hours a day for six months. Repeat.

HowiePlaysBass · #27 09-10-2012, 05:33 PM

I generally try not to practice more than 4 hours a day. Otherwise I seem to not be doing myself any favors. However theres a difference between practicing and playing 4 hours a day...

chicagodoubler · #28 09-10-2012, 06:11 PM

You can have your hands on the bass for 4 hours but be in the shed all day. If you're working on an audition, spend copious amounts of time listening, analyzing the scores, and working things out harmonically at the keyboard. If you're working on a romantic symphony, do you know the way the east coast orchestras play it? How about Berlin? Can you identify the halls by ear that require a more off-the-string approach? Do you know what the celli are playing while you're filling space on the trio from 5?

This oft quoted "four hours is enough" mantra is in many ways short-sighted.

Many of the people who I know who are the most successful at music eat sleep and breathe it, all day long. They of course have other hobbies, but I recall piers who are among the most respected in the world only leaving the shed for class, homework, and beer.

Andrew McGregor · #29 09-10-2012, 07:33 PM

I'm not saying don't live music... for sure, you should if you plan on making it a career. But four hours hands on individual practice is plenty... if you're doing more, you aren't doing enough ensemble playing, studying scores and recordings, etc. The surrounding study is as necessary as chewing on your technique.