Be kind to your accompanist

Last night I was asked to play for some auditions. The actors were asked to bring in an uptempo song (as well as have a prepared monologue). For the most part it went well … but there were some definite mis-steps made by the actors when it came to preparing their music. And these are so common – I encounter them at nearly every single audition I’ve played for.

So from the point of view of your accompanist who is asked to play for auditions, here are some of my own observations … and believe me! these will be helpful to any actor auditioning for a show.

First of all – BE NICE TO ME! I am here to help you. I’m not here to screw you up or to make you look bad. If you come in with a bad attitude, don’t expect me to take kindly to it.

Realize that I don’t know every single song from every musical ever written. Don’t assume that I just know it. After all you’ve been working on this song and preparing for the audition for some time. I’ve only just seen this music seconds before you are going to sing it.

If I ask you how fast or slow you want the song to be played, don’t look at me like I have two heads. I’ll try to remember that you may not know what the word “tempo” means … so I’ll ask, “How fast do you want this?” or something like that. Please tell me clearly and succinctly. Perhaps you can sing one or two measures as an example of the tempo you want. But don’t look at me like I’m some kind of alien. Heck! If you want to sing well at the audition, then by all means help me understand what you want. I can’t read your mind.

I’m sight reading your music … this means that I have to play the damned thing without having practiced it or even looked at it before. If it doesn’t sound EXACTLY like the way your aunt or voice teacher has played it for you, then forgive me … cut me some slack. I’m doing the best I can. (Remember my first point that I want you to look and sound good? I’m not here to make your life difficult or to make you look/sound bad.)

And as for sight reading and not knowing every single song ever written … please don’t bring in something that is horribly and terribly challenging for a pianist. Oh yeah – let’s bring in a song that has six flats, changes time signature several times, and changes keys three or four times … yeah! that’ll be a good idea (NOT)! Just because you like the song and can sing it with the CD, or because your Aunt Sue or voice teacher can bang it out flawlessly doesn’t mean I’m going to be able to play that bastard within seconds of seeing it for the first time. Pick something simpler.

Please have your music clearly marked! If you’re starting at the chorus of a song, then let me know. If you’re not taking the first ending but are going to screech through the second ending, then let me know.

Mount your music in some way. If you bring in a book, fine … but when you bring in seven separate, unattached sheets of music you are just asking for trouble! Funny thing about having separate sheets of music … they get mixed up; they can fall off the piano onto the floor; they cause all kinds of difficulties.

So if you have separate sheets, either put them into a binder of some kind or tape them together so that they can ALL stay on the piano while I’m playing for you.

And finally, it would be good form to thank me. A simple “thank you” will go a long way … perhaps I have a say on whether or not to call you back or to cast you. If you show disdain or an attitude, I bet you won’t get either recommendation from me. I’m nice to you … I’ve played my best for your audition … at least smile and say thanks.