How to Make First Chair: A Step-by-Step Guide to Achieving Your Goal

The book clearly outlines a step by step process which begins from the day you get the music to the day after the audition. Two Appendices offer definitions for musical terms and a summary of each key signature. My Comments:Before I write about this book, I'd like to point out that I learned the art of auditioning from my trumpet teacher in high school. Kenny Capshaw probably has more students who made All-State than any other trumpet teacher in West Texas. While I studied with him, I not only made All-State twice but also became first chair in my high school band. Outside of high school I had won many auditions and had sat first chair in many ensembles. I was first chair in the El Paso Youth Symphony for at least a year. I was first chair in the UTEP wind ensemble and the UTEP orchestra for over four years. As a teacher, several of my students have made All-State over the past twenty years of my teaching career and my students, with only few exceptions, have always been the top players in their bands. I tell you all of this so that you know I speak through experience when it comes to the subject of what it takes to make first chair. With that said, I know that anyone who does precisely what Roberts describes in his book will be successful in their musical endeavors. The approach outlined in "How To Make First Chair" is almost identical to the approach Kenny Capshaw taught me. It's almost identical to the approach I've used with my All-State students. Roberts presents it a little differently, but when you get right down to the nuts and bolts, it's exactly the same approach. The general philosophy behind this approach can be summarized with these three words, quoted directly from the book (page 17), "Leave no doubt." This approach offers a precise method of complete thoroughness. If you follow it, you will leave no stone unturned and you will leave nothing to chance. Recommendations:I simply cannot imagine any reason why a competing trumpet player would not want this book. And especially if you are a high school student competing for All-State, you need to know what this book can teach you. I like the way Roberts puts it, if you don't learn these things and your competition does, where does that leave you????

This book is easy to read and provides a common sense method to meet tryout goals. Highly recommended to me... worth every penny to you.

This is a very exciting, easy and excellent read! I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this great "little" book. Any student/performer can pick this book up, have it read in no time, apply the practical steps, and walk away from a try-out or an audition KNOWING they have done their very best and SUCCEEDED! Whether or not they made 1st chair, or scored a spot because of an excellent audition (how could one NOT make it??), they will know they did the best they could because of the steps they followed day after day with the plan Mr. Roberts laid out. All parents of band kids need to read this!!!!

After ordering a copy for myself, I thought "where was this book when I was growing up"? I had my booster club do a bulk order so all my band students would have a copy. I am using it as a textbook for all-state tryouts using the book & the downloads. I can even get a non-playing grade on the books with the practice checklist...I think that will help some of the kids that can be intimidated by the tryout music. Anyway...very cool book.

I read the "Inner Game of Music" years ago, but it was very 'cerebral'. "How to Make First Chair" is WAAAYYYY more practical. You could give it to any musician (from middle school to high school to college) and tell them "if you do what this book says, you will be as prepared as possible" for all-region or all-state tryouts (or any other performance for that matter).This is the book I needed when I was a young band student growing up wanting to do my best! I can't wait for the DVD's!