Your Best Friend

Who is your best friend?

Oh wow... that's so nice of you! Thank you! I love you too...

But... I was talking about your best friend in the audition room. YES! The accompanist... He or she can be your secret weapon ally in the room. And THEY WANT TO BE!

You will however, have to help them help you!

The pianist wants to do well for you, but often isn't provided the tools to do so by the audition-er. First, as I said last week, it is important to mark up your music so that there is no doubt as to what you want her/him to do...

Use color coding if there are many different aspects to the song that must be followed. If you want the accompanist to follow you thru a very free section, mark the music with a a pair of eye glasses and write "FREELY." There really is no right or wrong way to mark your music, but there are better and worse ways!!!! Don't forget to label the name of your song (especially if the title page is not your first page). Mark where to start and where to end. If there is a tempo change be sure to mark that as well. If there is a pause in your music mark it with "railroad tracks" or hash marks. If you are holding a note, mark that note with a fermata or "bird's eye." Make sure you quickly talk thru each of these things so that she/he will be aware of them before you start.

You also need to provide the pianist with the CORRECT tempo of the song. I say CORRECT because you would be surprised how many performers do not take a second to think of the right tempo and just blurt out an approximate speed. Don't start from the beginning of the song when you are thinking of your tempo. Go to the spot in the song that would be the most appropriate. Usually the chorus. A very important thing to be aware of when giving the tempo is to not snap or clap the tempo. This does not give the accompanist the feeling of the song that you wish to covey. AND you probably will not give the right tempo without actually singing it to him/her.

Be sure to thank your accompanist before you leave the room. You can do this when you go back to the piano to get your music. Smile, shake her/his hand, and say: "thank you." Being a nice human is not only the right thing to do, but it also will allow everyone to remember what a nice person you are! And makes them say "I would enjoy working with her/him."

Remember, the pianist is playing often for hours and sight reading sometimes hundreds of songs in one day. Laying out a clear and clean road map which prepares him or her for what you are about to do will make them more confident and will make them respect you as a true professional. And THAT will help your best friend help you!!!!