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Question: I have a rehearsal tonight and some of the music is way over my head!. Any advice!?
I've played oboe for 11 years and am an extremely decent player!. I have a degree in music business with an emphasis in performance!.
I auditioned and was awarded a spot as the principal oboe of a symphony in my city!. I was given the music 3 weeks ahead of time and have a rehearsal tonight!.
I have all of my solos at a point where I would like them to be, and exposed parts are not too much of a problem, but there are some extremely fast 16th note runs and things of that sort, that I probably should have practiced a bit more, but even if I did they would be nowhere close to tempo or nowhere close to sounding clean, with the amount of time given to prepare the music!.
I'm a bit nervous, because I don't want people to think I have not practiced, or that I don't care, and I don't want to lose the position!.
What do I do!?Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
It's a rehearsal, so mistakes are common, but there are some alternatives to not "sounding bad!." Rather than playing the sixteenth notes sloppily, play every other note, so just the numbers and the "+"s, not the "e"s and "a"s!. That should follow all the chord changes!. Otherwise, rehearsal is rehearsal, and mistakes are going to be made!. In my orchestra, we had a really difficult forte section, but the conductor said if you're going to make a mistake make it loud!. Rhythms, dynamics, and articulations are more important than notes, especially for the first time!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Just do what you think is right!. I play the Saxophone for 3 and I am a decent player, but I do what I think is right!. I might not practice all the time!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Just play your best, its a rehersal and its better to make your mistakes there than at a concert!. I havent played nearly as much as you but i know how that feels!.

Fellow Oboe Player

:)Www@QuestionHome@Com