"In Case You're Interested" Series, Video 2, "You Don't Always Have To Sell It"

Common phrases such as a teacher saying you need to 'sell it' might be well intentioned. But if it is used in conjunction wth an 'audition formula' designed to not raise any 'red flags' in the orchestra committee's minds, I have noticed it is difficult for people, students, to release themselves from that mentality while playing those excerpts in the orchestra setting. I can always tell when students and playing professionals are being trained to be good audition takers. The playing gets narrow in dynamic contrasts, timbre and nuances, and the general impression of the playing is very well mannered as to not disrupt the sit-down formal family dinner by bringing up controversial topics or eating with your mouth open etc. This to me, is called the Goldie Locks approach where the person auditioning wants to 'sell it' to the orchestra committee that they are the bowl of porridge that is neither too hot nor too cold but just right...

I think this is an important video. I have brought this subject up before many times. It is meant to inform and seriously consideration, in case you are interested, to what is governing your playing. Just playing with thinking only of technique (clean articulation, tone evenness, pitch, etc), makes the playing sound very skeletal no matter how even, in tune, nice sound, clear articulations and steady rhythm are being produced. This has been my observation over a very extended period of time. Why does it have to be this way? More on that later but now for the video:

Video 2