Winning the Audition 3: Preparation Routines That Work

Learn how the pros prepare for auditions on this episode of Winning the Audition!
Learn how the pros prepare for auditions on this episode of Winning the Audition!

My book Winning the Audition is now available!  Learn more about this step-by-step actionable resource at winningtheaudition.net.

Welcome to the third installment of Winning the Audition, a special series from Contrabass Conversations featuring advice from leaders in the field about preparing and executing auditions successfully.  This series is drawn from interviews conducted with dozens of bassists from orchestras like the Boston Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, National Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Chicago Symphony, and Houston Symphony, plus some of the most influential pedagogues in the field.

This episode is sponsored by Discover Double Bass, and they have a play-along scale package written by founder Geoff Chalmers that covers 17 different scale types in all 12 keys.  The package includes slow and fast MP3 backing tracks and drones, plus PDFs with fingerings and advice for specific types of scales.  Check this out and much more at discoverdoublebass.com!

Today’s episode follows along with the preparation routines used by several bassists holding high-profile positions, including Cleveland Orchestra principal bassist Max Dimoff, Houston Symphony principal bassist Robin Kesselman, and Chicago Symphony principal bassist Alex Hanna.

Book discussed:

By Jason

An active double bass performer and teacher, Jason teaches double bass at DePaul University and served on the Board of Directors of the International Society of Bassists for many years. Jason is the current President of the Illinois chapter of the American String Teachers Association. Jason has been a member of the Elgin Symphony since 2000 and has played with the Midsummer’s Music Festival in Door County for the past decade. He is a past member of the Milwaukee Ballet and IRIS Orchestra, and has performed with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Grant Park Symphony, and numerous other professional ensembles.