How do I know if I am ready for my audition?
You are ready when a single cold run-through, recorded with no retries, holds up: in tune, in tempo, with secure entrances and reliable scales. If you can only play it well after a few warm-up attempts, you are not there yet. Readiness is about your worst take, not your best, because the audition gives you one shot.
Most students judge readiness by their best practice moment, which is misleading. The honest test is the unforgiving one: record one take, no second chances, and listen like a stranger. If it holds, you are competitive. If the fast passages rush or the shifts slip, those are your remaining targets.
Common questions
- How many times should I be able to play it perfectly?
- Aim for a reliable cold take on the first try, not perfection after warming up. One shot is what the audition gives you.
- How far ahead should I peak?
- Be performance-ready a week or two early, so the final days are calm maintenance, not cramming.