![]() ![]() Not only is it more professional, but the judges will appreciate not having to sit through those extra moments of non-playing time. It’s okay to leave a little pause before and after a performance, but for the cleanest look, everything else should be trimmed away. Even one or two engaged faces can make a big difference in how you communicate musically. If you’re the kind of performer whose playing gains energy from a live audience, invite some encouraging friends to listen as you record. If not, the best rule of thumb is to dress the same way you would if you were auditioning in person. Depending on the event or type of audition, you may or may not be expected to dress in formal attire. Knowing that you’ve set things up for a good recording and feeling comfortable in front of the camera will work to greatly reduce your stress levels. Make test videos well before you need to record the actual submission. This involves logistics as well as mental and physical preparation. Sometimes pointing a light at the ceiling helps diffuse shadows or glare. To best demonstrate your graceful scales and commanding octaves, record in full daylight or in a bright space that does not put glare on the keys. An ideal way to get everything you need into the shot is to set the camera on a tripod just barely behind your right shoulder a few feet away and at just above the height of your head. Piano judges will want to see the full keyboard and your pedals. Make the piano the center of the shot.Just make sure the curtain frame is completely outside the view of the camera. A basic frame (like those used for green-screens) with a tasteful solid-colored curtain is an inexpensive way to hide a cluttered room. Use a curtain on a tall frame for a backdrop.If you need to hide something unsightly, put a green plant in front of it. Ideally, the piano should be in front of a solid-colored wall or curtain with no other visible furniture or décor. Remove as much as possible from the frame.You want to be remembered for your dazzling double-thirds, not your messy bookshelf! Keep the visual background simple so it doesn’t distract from your performance. Choose a time of day when these are less likely to be a problem. No matter where you are recording, there’s always the possibility that outside traffic, appliances, pets or other ambient sounds can make your recording seem less than professional. You’ll need one that is designed for capturing music, not video conferencing, since the latter specifically eliminate some frequencies to make speech sound clearer. Even though smartphones and tablets can record good-quality audio if the room is well prepared, for the best sonic results, you should consider using an external microphone instead. Record with a microphone that is up to the task.To capture the cleanest, richest sound from your piano, you’ll need to dampen any unwanted echoes in your room with soft curtains, rugs or pillows. Then those same sounds bounce around every other surface in the room … and not always in ways that are pleasing to the ear. Once keys are depressed and strings are struck, the sounds swirl around the case and bounce off the lid to create the piano’s unique sonority. Capturing the sound of a piano is notoriously complex. Prepare the acoustics of the recording space.If you find a suitable piano that is out of tune, maybe offer to pay for the tuning. Consider offering to barter something like a free community performance in exchange. If you don’t own a great piano, consider asking a piano store, school or place of worship for access to their instrument. Record on the best piano you can access, and make sure it has been tuned.Sound Is KeyĪlthough visual elements of a video are important, you are first and foremost a musician, so capturing your authentic sound should be a priority. In this article, we’ll provide tips for preparing that all-important virtual piano audition. ![]() But for others, the idea of recording a video can be intimidating. Luckily, technology has evolved to the point where pianists no longer need expensive equipment to create compelling video material.įor many young players - especially those who have never known a world without YouTube - creating a video of their performance will seem like just another day at the keyboard. Even as restrictions ease for students and schools, video auditions continue to provide a convenient and efficient way to audition for conservatories as well as festivals and competitions (at least in preliminary rounds). ![]()
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