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Most players who can't produce their best playing in an audition assume the problem is skill. If they could just get a little better, the pressure wouldn't matter. For some players that's true. But there are a lot of musicians who can already play well enough to win a job and still can't reliably show it on the day. If that's you, the problem isn't the skill you have. It's your access to it. Free Winning Auditions Workbook http://www.goldmethod.us/auditions In this episode we talk about what's actually going on when preparation doesn't survive the audition, and what to do about it. Why committees can only respond to what they hear in the moment. Why doing all the "right" things, the hours, the organization, the smart practice techniques, the books, still leaves people walking off stage knowing that wasn't representative. And the shift that changes it. That shift is attention. Under pressure your skill doesn't degrade, your attention does. And your attention is the thing that transfers from the practice room to the stage, because it's been getting trained the whole time, whether or not you were training it on purpose. If your practice is built around noticing what went wrong, that's what you've trained your attention to do, and that's what it will do in the round. We get into: -What a committee is actually deciding, and why it isn't who's the best player -Why "I need to improve my skill" is the first conclusion almost everyone jumps to, and when it's the wrong one -The difference between raising your ceiling and getting access to the ceiling you already have -What attention training is, and where it came from in our work, including the breath meditation we learned from John Baker, a former major league player and mental skills coach -Why the real skill isn't holding your attention in place, but knowing where to return it when it wanders -What changes in the practice room when the goal of a repetition is your attention rather than the sound -What it looks like on stage when you've spent the whole preparation building the headspace you want, instead of trying to find it in the moment Support the show

Most players preparing for orchestral auditions are working hard on the wrong target. They practice, organize, record, run mock auditions, and work on the mental game, and still walk off stage knowing they have more than they showed. The problem usually isn't effort or talent. No one ever showed them what their audition preparation is supposed to produce. In this episode, Ryan talks about the actual end goal of audition preparation, what has to change in your practice to reach it, and the part most players skip: becoming the type of person who trusts themselves when it matters most. Grab your FREE Winning Auditions Workbook: http://www.goldmethod.us/auditions We look at it through three books that changed how we coach: 📖 The Rise of Superman by Steven Kotler — flow state, and why it's the target of your preparation 📖 Peak Mind by Amishi Jha — why your attention, not your skill, is what breaks down under pressure, and how attention can be trained 📖 Inner Excellence by Jim Murphy — values, belief, and deciding who you want to be at the audition In this episode: -Why your best performances all sound the same when players describe them -Why "your skill doesn't degrade under pressure, your attention does" -How balancing challenge and skill changes the way you practice -Turning audition day from "how will I sound?" into "who do I want to be?" -One action step: pick the book that matches where you're struggling most, and read it - Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts! - http://www.linktree.com/thatsnotspit Support the show

FREE Winning Auditions Workbook: http://www.goldmethod.us/auditions - Orchestral audition preparation usually breaks down in the practice room, not on stage. Most classical musicians walk into an audition still wondering whether they practiced enough — and that question is what stops you playing with confidence under pressure. If you struggle with audition nerves, inconsistent playing, or the feeling that your practice isn't transferring to the stage, the cause is probably how you were taught to practice orchestral excerpts in the first place. Find what's wrong and fix it is the most common practice instruction in music, and nobody tells you what to do when the fix doesn't work. So effort becomes the only tool you have, and every practice session turns into a verdict on whether you're good enough. Practice like that long enough and you train your attention to hunt for mistakes — which is the attention you take on stage. In this video: -Why audition anxiety usually starts in your practice routine -The two beliefs that turn a practice session into a test -What a practice repetition looks like when you stop trying to prove and start gathering data -How to build a practice routine that produces real confidence under pressure -Why the progress you're chasing today isn't available today For orchestral musicians, conservatory and graduate students, and working professionals preparing for professional orchestra auditions. Support the show

Kathleen Costello joins That's Not Spit, It's Condensation as co-host. Kathleen has been principal clarinet of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra for 20 years, played with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Orchestra, and performs in a chamber trio. She's also the co-founder — with Ryan — of the coaching program behind this show. In this episode we talk about where this podcast is headed: a resource for classical musicians preparing for professional orchestra auditions, and for anyone trying to perform well under pressure. We share the four beliefs that will guide every episode from here: 1. The problem isn't you. The problem is your system. 2. Under pressure, your skill doesn't degrade. Your attention does. 3. Winning an audition is a question of committee trust — and they can't trust you if you don't trust yourself. 4. The goal isn't to win the audition. The goal is to become the person who can win the audition. If you're taking auditions and want to understand what a committee is actually listening for, grab the free workbook: http://www.goldmethod.us/auditions Ryan Beach spent 11 years as principal trumpet of the Alabama Symphony before leaving in February 2026 to coach musicians full time. Support the show

Download your FREE audition preparation workbook here: http://www.goldmethod.us/auditions - In this episode, I'm sharing everything I know about how to win a professional audition, with actionable steps so you can apply this to your own audition preparation. - Orion Miller's episode on Jason Heath's podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCn6D6OglI8 Support the show

https://live.ryanbeachtrumpet.com/auditions Support the show

Dr. Jordi Albert has spent 27 years researching trumpet performance, trumpet pedagogy, and musician health. After working with over 1,500 trumpet players — from beginners to professionals — he has developed a research-backed methodology for solving the most common trumpet problems fast. In this episode, Dr. Albert breaks down: Why 98% of professional trumpet players experience learning difficulties How inner hearing and audiation directly affect your trumpet technique The neuromotor science behind embouchure problems and how to fix them Why focal dystonia and overuse syndrome are more common than you think How to practice trumpet more efficiently using sports science The role of lip health and biomechanics in trumpet performance Why working harder on trumpet isn't always the answer How to get unstuck on trumpet without changing your entire approach Whether you're struggling with trumpet high notes, trumpet endurance, trumpet articulation, double tonguing, triple tonguing, embouchure problems, or flexibility, this conversation will change the way you think about practicing and performing. Dr. Albert is the founder of the Global Institute for Music Research (GIMUR) and director of Your Trumpet Studio. His doctoral thesis on learning difficulties in expert motor performance on the trumpet was published by the Polytechnic University of Valencia. 🎺 Learn more about Dr. Jordi Albert: jordialbert.com 🎺 Your Trumpet Studio: yourtrumpetstudio.com Support the show

Tuba professor and Bluecoats drum corps instructor Dr. Genevieve Clarkson joins the podcast to talk about what it really means to be a great music teacher. From purposeful practice and growth mindset to the unexpected lessons learned teaching at the highest level of drum corps competition, Jenny shares a philosophy of teaching that is equal parts inspiring and actionable. In this episode we cover: What makes a truly successful music teacherHow to help students practice more effectivelyWhat drum corps taught her about teaching fundamentalsWhy potential matters more than perfectionHow to give feedback that builds confidence instead of fearThe Repertoire Expansion Project and why new music mattersDr. Genevieve Clarkson is Associate Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at Oklahoma City University and Lead Brass Instructor with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps, the 2024 DCI World Champions. Find her at genevieveclarkson.com and on Instagram @GenevieveClarkson. Support the show

Praised as “brilliant…impeccable” by the New York Times and a musician  of “effortless understated virtuosity” by The Chicago Tribune, Christopher Martin is Principal Trumpet of the New York Philharmonic. Prior to this, he was Principal Trumpet of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for eleven seasons. Mr. Martin has enjoyed a distinctive career of more than twenty years as solo trumpet of some of America’s finest orchestras.   As a soloist, Christopher Martin is in great demand in New York and around the world and has made several world premieres. Martin’s passion for new music has seen numerous works brought to life in both the orchestral and wind band repertoire. Christopher Rouse’s Heimdall’s Trumpet, John Mackey’s Antique Violences, and Julie Giroux’s Taboo were composed for Mr. Martin.   Christopher Martin’s discography includes a solo trumpet performance in  John Williams’s score to Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln (2012). 2019 saw the release of Antique Violences with Jerry Junkin conducting the Dallas Winds.   Mr. Martin serves on the faculty of The Juilliard School. Christopher Martin is a Yamaha Performing Artist.  Support the show

In this episode, I'm sitting down with composer and trumpeter Kevin McKee to talk about his journey from trumpet performance to composition, how his playing background shapes his writing, and what makes his music so idiomatic and enjoyable to play. We dig deep into the inspiration and interpretive details behind Centennial Horizon, Kevin's evocative three-movement work for trumpet and piano inspired by Colorado. Kevin also shares details about his book Kevin McKee's Musical Jungle Gym for Trumpet, a gamified fundamentals method designed to keep students engaged through style studies, card-based practice routines, and QR-linked recordings. We covered: -How Kevin got started composing and what kept him going -Writing music you actually enjoy vs. chasing trends -The personal story behind Centennial Horizon (movement by movement) -Performance tips straight from the composer -The Musical Jungle Gym: who it's for and how to use it -Blocked buzzing as a tool for embouchure recovery -Kevin's advice for aspiring composers Find Kevin's music and get in touch at kevinmckmusic.com Support the show

Most musicians are practicing wrong—not because they're lazy or untalented, but because traditional practice methods don't align with how the brain actually learns. Dr. Molly Gebrian is a violist, neuroscientist, and author of Learn Faster, Perform Better. She teaches at New England Conservatory and has spent years translating brain science into practical strategies for musicians. In this conversation, we dig into: Why taking MORE breaks leads to FASTER progressHow mental practice can solve problems physical practice can'tThe truth about talent (spoiler: it's irrelevant)Why mistakes are essential for learningThe "old way, new way" technique that breaks bad habits in minutesHow to practice in 30-minute segments for maximum efficiencyWhat actually causes performance anxiety (and how to manage it)If you've ever felt frustrated in the practice room, stuck on a plateau, or wondered why hours of practice aren't translating to results—this episode will change how you think about practice forever. Molly's Website: www.mollygebrian.com Support the show

Confidence wasn’t missing — it was misunderstood. In this episode, Ryan sits down with trumpet player and educator Stephen Wadsack to unpack how deeply held beliefs about confidence can quietly shape — and limit — the way we practice, perform, and grow as musicians. What starts as a conversation about auditions and orchestral playing turns into something much deeper: how confusing confidence with arrogance, or treating it as a personality trait instead of a byproduct of clarity, can hold even highly skilled players back. Together, they explore how humility, organization, identity, and understanding your fundamentals can actually create the confidence most musicians are searching for. If you’ve ever felt confident in some settings but not others, struggled with comparison, or wondered why hard work doesn’t always translate into freedom on stage, this conversation will resonate. Support the show

Many trumpet players experience frustration, inconsistency, or uncertainty in their practice — and assume that’s just normal. In this video, I break down 3 trumpet practice habits that are common, but don’t have to stay that way. These habits often feel normal because they’re widespread, especially when players work hard without a clear system, feedback loop, or defined outcome. The goal here isn’t to criticize how you practice — it’s to help you understand why these experiences happen and what can change them. In this video, you’ll learn: Why certain frustrating practice experiences are so common How these habits affect progress, confidence, and consistency What principles I use to create clearer, more productive practice How to rethink practice without invalidating your past experience This video is for serious trumpet players who want to practice with more clarity, intention, and confidence — whether you’re a student, amateur, or professional. If you’ve ever felt like you’re working hard but not seeing the results you expect, this will help you understand what’s actually going on. Support the show

In this episode, I share the full story of my recent audition for the Principal Trumpet position with the Philadelphia Orchestra — one of the highest-profile trumpet auditions in the world. I made the finals, but the real takeaway wasn’t the result. It was the stillness, clarity, and confidence I felt throughout the entire process, even when things weren’t going my way. If you’re a trumpet player, brass musician, or anyone preparing for orchestra auditions, I hope this story gives you insight into how mindset, identity, organization, and deliberate practice all come together under pressure. Support the show

In this episode of That’s Not Spit, It’s Condensation, I sit down with tubist and teacher Ron Von Dreau to talk about what it takes to build and sustain a thriving private teaching studio. Ron has taught in Texas for decades, managing studios of 60–80+ students while also teaching at the university level, directing band programs, and balancing freelance performing. His story is full of lessons for anyone building a teaching career: from starting with only a handful of students to learning the business side of teaching, earning trust with parents and band directors, and keeping students motivated year after year. We cover: -Ron’s eclectic career path from chamber music to teaching to band directing -How he grew his Texas studio to over 80 students -The importance of reputation, professionalism, and communication -Pedagogical “non-negotiables” that guide his teaching -Why fundamentals and flexibility matter more than flashy methods -The business realities of running a private studio (payments, scheduling, taxes) -His advice for young teachers starting out Whether you’re a brass player, a music educator, or someone curious about what it takes to make a living teaching, this conversation is packed with insight, honesty, and practical advice. 👉 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share it with a friend who might benefit from Ron’s wisdom.Taken from "That's Not Spit, It's Condensation!" Episode - Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts! - http://www.linktree.com/thatsnotspit Support the show