Sweaty Palms? 3 Things You Need To Say To Yourself Before Your Audition

Do you have an audition coming up? Do you want to do well? I’m guessing, by the fact that you clicked on this episode, that you can understand audition nerves, but have you ever considered that how you talk to yourself before an audition can really affect it?

I discovered this firsthand when I was auditioning for music school and I just the way I talked to myself really changed how I played in those auditions, and I can’t wait to share this with you.B

Multi-tasking? Get the podcast episode all about this!

So let’s dive into 3 things to tell yourself before that audition.

Number 1: Every World Class Soloist Was Nervous For Their Auditions — You Are No Different

Think of your favourite world class soloist. You got them in your head? Okay.

Now, would you consider them maybe not fit for their instrument? Like, maybe they aren’t so good after all?

No! Absolutely not. They are the famous world class soloist that you are thinking of. They are amazing at their instrument!

Now think of them at their auditions. Do you think that maybe they weren’t fit to audition?

No, they were definitely fit to audition! They are the famous soloist in your head!

So now let me tell you something… they were nervous for their auditions. Just like everyone else.

So let’s think about this. If they were nervous for their auditions, but they are where they are now… you can do anything.

Think about that. This completely takes away the power of those nerves, because being nervous does not mean that you won’t do well. Nerves are normal.

Number 2: The People There Want You To Do Well

Think about the adjudicators and why they are there — they’re excited to see you. They’re looking forward to see who would be the best for this opportunity, or who they want to work with. They’re keen to hear you play. If it’s a university program or audition, then they’re also probably looking forward to someone who is enthusiastic about learning and growing.

It is so easy for us to think of judges and adjudicators as scary and stressful, but they are people too, and they want you to do well. Everyone in the room wants you to succeed. So show your enthusiasm, show your excitement, because your excitement is contagious.

Psst.. Wanna know more about using contagious excitement in an audition?

Number 3: This is Your Audition; Own It

Here’s how:

One thing that you can do to really own your audition is to choose your focus of the audition. This is your personal focus, and it is beyond getting into the academy or the university, orchestra, or program.

For instance, my personal goal for an audition might be that I want this performance to show me that I can overcome my nerves and I can convey the feeling of the music to the people listening. That is my individual goal for this audition which is personal for me and is beyond being accepted.

So set that personal goal for you

Think about a particular goal for you in this audition…

You might also feel a bit unsteady in the audition room. It might be in a different city that you are unfamiliar with, or maybe you are meeting a lot of new people. But remember: those 10-15 minutes in your audition are yours. So own that. Really enjoy your playing — feel your sound in the room and enjoy it. You deserve to be in the audition.

Bonus: Deep Breathing

Trust me, it works.

You might be saying to me, “Eleanor, that sounds so simple.” And I know it sounds simple but it really works! Just taking a few minutes to deep breathe slowly can really change your stress levels before that audition.

Tip: Try doing it before you are in the audition environment to get used to the exercise.

Lastly, if you have an audition coming up, I wish you all the best in it!

Happy auditioning!

Eleanor