How to record a great submission in 10 easy steps:

1. Start as soon as you can. Leave extra time during each recording “session” so you don’t feel rushed. You don’t have to record every piece in one long session.
2. Choose a quiet room that is not too resonant, with a minimum of ambient sound (eg. fridge) and background noise (eg. dog or sibling) and a simple visual background.
3. Choose a room that has good lighting. Large windows during the day work well, as well as stand lamps. Overhead lighting will do if nothing else is available.
3. Whether you shoot in portrait or landscape, try to get as much of the person in the frame (head to toe) as possible.
4. Use your best camera to record. For example, on iphone/ipad, the rear camera has better resolution. 1080p is best (4k isn’t necessary.)
5. Wear your BEST concert dress!
6. Set-up: Your camera and your stand (if you’re using one) should be at eye level. The stand should be off-camera to the left as you look at the lens.
7. Your eyes should be looking at your part or at your bow. Don’t smile unless you are enjoying yourself! 🙂
8. Recording: Wear headphones with a long cord, or wireless. Watch the play along video on one screen while you are recorded with the other camera device.
9. At the end of the piece: Bow off the string, wait two seconds, bow, wait two more seconds, THEN stop the camera.
10. Record your best prepared/easiest piece first, and send it to me right away. Then practice your next easiest until its ready, and record it next. Don’t wait to send everything at the end.