How do I make first chair in a band? I practice a lot but I need more suggestions. Please help.?

Question

This is my first post.

I'm asking because I'm leaving to go to band camp in a few weeks and I really want a good chair.

I play the flute.

Answer 1

Well, u should do stuff that is very advanced. Like if you have individual warm up, you should let the instructor catch you doing an advanced song. And make sure to hit all of you notes clean and sharp. If they sound off-tune, or if they're sloppy then you will probably not e put in a "good chair". Because usually a "good chair" is in the front and most music directors do not want the audience to hear a top chair person sounding off beat. So just try your best. Whatever happens happens. Maybe if you do not get a top chair you will get some other seat on the edge right next to a talent scout.

Answer 2

i really wouldnt be too disappointed if you dont make first chair. chairs really dont mean anything, but if you really want to get good, i would get private lessons, if you arent taking lessons already. i wouldnt know what else to tell you, i'm not a flutist. good luck and have fun at band camp!

Answer 3

HI BG.  :))

I think people are not really reading what you are actually asking.  You want to make a good chair at band camp, right?

I have students that do alot of competitions and also try to attend band camp every summer.  You have a few weeks, so you have time to prepare.

First of all,  the flute judge, or whoever will be auditioning you will probably not want to hear 10 or 15 minutes of your playing,  they don't have that much time.   When you go in, they will ask what you have prepared for audition.   If you have last year's solo still in your head... I would work that up to sound really good  -  no mistakes - nice vibrato - correct articulation - good projective tone.    If you have no solo to get ready,  find a moderately easy Etude or two to work up. You should try to practice as long as possible every day... it will help.  

Here in Texas where we do Region Band Tryouts, sometimes the judge will ask the students to play a few lines of each of the three region etudes.  So again,  prepare by making sure all of the elements of the tunes are in place and perfect (as perfect as possible).  Also,  start going through your scales,  because sometimes they ask to hear those.  There are 12 of the majors.   Take 4 of those a day and work them until they are memorized and perfect.  Don't forget to double tongue.    They may ask for the chromatic.  From F for two octaves.  

Again.... you have a few weeks and no time to waste.  7 days a week of practicing will help get that better band and chair.  You have to know, that there are plenty of students who are not even caring what chair they get,  so you have to be really on your toes to sound like YOU DO care and DID PREPARE for this camping experience.  Good Luck...  You can do it.!!!    :)))

Answer 4

You should make sure you show good leadership and responsibility. Learn your music, your composers, your music theory terms. All good things to have

Answer 5

One of the keys to getting a good chair in band is showing your dedication to the band director--even though you practice a lot, you have to truly care about the band as a whole and the music, not just the chair. Leadership qualities are important, too, because you have to set an example for the entire section, when it comes to playing, conduct, etc.

At my school, we have 20 or 30 flutes in our band, so don't be disappointed if you don't get first chair. Just dedicate yourself to the music and you'll be fine. Assuming that you're an underclassman, there's always next year, too...right?

Answer 6

Practice, practice, practice. It may take a while, but if you really want it, you can get there. Scales are key.

Answer 7

Get a tape recorder and record yourself playing.  You'll be surprised at what you find that you missed before.  Also, practice SMART.  Don't just blow through the music.  Break it up into sections of about 8 measures each.  Start at about half tempo, and get to where you can play each section perfectly five times in a row; then increase the tempo ten bpm at a time until you are ten bpm faster than the actual tempo.  If you master it this fast, the real tempo will be no problem.  Practice is the purposeful repetition of accuracy.