5 Instrumentalist Interview Questions and Answers

Introduction

This question is critical for a Principal Instrumentalist as it assesses your versatility and ability to collaborate with various musicians in different settings.

How to answer

• Choose a specific performance that highlights your adaptability
• Describe the genre or ensemble and the challenges it presented
• Explain how you adjusted your playing techniques or style
• Discuss the outcome of the performance and audience feedback
• Mention any lessons learned about musical flexibility

What not to say

• Focusing solely on technical aspects without discussing collaboration
• Claiming you are not comfortable with other genres
• Neglecting to mention the impact on the ensemble or audience
• Overly general responses lacking specific examples

Example answer

“During a concert with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, I was asked to play a jazz piece, which required a more improvisational style than I was used to. I adapted by incorporating elements of swing and syncopation into my playing. The audience responded enthusiastically, and it taught me the importance of flexibility in performance.”

Introduction

This question assesses your collaboration skills and adaptability, essential for a lead instrumentalist who often works with various musicians and styles.

How to answer

• Use the STAR method to structure your response, focusing on the situation, task, action, and result.
• Clearly describe the context of the performance and the musicians involved.
• Explain why adaptation was necessary and what specific changes you made to your playing style.
• Highlight how your adaptability positively impacted the overall performance.
• Mention any feedback received from fellow musicians or the audience.

What not to say

• Focusing too much on your own performance without acknowledging the group dynamics.
• Describing a rigid playing style that doesn't allow for flexibility.
• Failing to mention the importance of communication with other musicians.
• Neglecting to provide specifics about the performance or the outcome.

Example answer

“During a jazz festival in Toronto, I performed with a group of musicians from diverse backgrounds. Knowing they had a different approach to rhythm, I adjusted my playing to incorporate more syncopation and improvisation. This flexibility not only enhanced our sound but also earned us positive feedback from both the audience and critics. It reinforced my belief that collaboration is about blending styles to create something unique.”

Introduction

This question assesses your resilience and problem-solving skills as a senior instrumentalist, highlighting your ability to handle pressure during performances.

How to answer

• Begin by setting the scene: describe the performance, the venue, and the audience.
• Detail the specific challenges you faced, such as technical issues, unexpected changes, or performance anxiety.
• Explain the steps you took to address the challenge, including any collaboration with other musicians or adjustments to your playing.
• Highlight the outcome of the performance and any positive feedback received.
• Conclude with insights gained from the experience that have informed your approach to future performances.

What not to say

• Minimizing the impact of the challenges faced.
• Focusing solely on technical aspects without discussing emotional or collaborative elements.
• Failing to reflect on what you learned from the experience.
• Blaming others for the challenges rather than taking responsibility.

Example answer

“During a concert with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, our conductor fell ill just before the performance. I took charge of coordinating with the musicians to adapt the pieces we would play, ensuring we stuck to our rehearsal plans while remaining flexible. Despite the initial panic, we delivered a cohesive performance, receiving enthusiastic applause from the audience. This experience taught me the importance of adaptability and clear communication under pressure.”

Introduction

This question is important for an instrumentalist as it evaluates collaboration skills and adaptability during live performances, which are crucial in ensemble settings.

How to answer

• Use the STAR method to structure your response clearly.
• Describe the context of the performance, including the genre and the other musicians involved.
• Explain the initial challenges you faced in fitting in with the group.
• Detail the specific changes you made to your playing style or technique.
• Discuss the outcome of the performance and any feedback received.

What not to say

• Focusing solely on your technique without mentioning collaboration.
• Neglecting to discuss the importance of listening to others.
• Blaming other musicians for any challenges faced.
• Not providing a clear outcome or resolution to the situation.

Example answer

“During a jazz festival in Cape Town, I played with a trio where the style was more improvisational than I was used to. I initially struggled to blend my classical background with their free-form approach. I decided to focus on listening closely to their rhythms and harmonies, adjusting my timing and volume to complement their improvisations. By the end of the set, we received great feedback for our synergy, and I learned the value of adaptability in ensemble settings.”

Introduction

This question is important for assessing your ability to adapt and stay composed under pressure, which is crucial for a junior instrumentalist during live performances.

How to answer

• Start with a brief overview of the performance context.
• Clearly outline the unexpected challenge you faced.
• Explain the steps you took to address the challenge during the performance.
• Discuss the outcome and any feedback received.
• Reflect on what you learned from the experience.

What not to say

• Dismissing the challenge or downplaying its significance.
• Focusing only on the negative aspects without discussing solutions.
• Failing to take personal responsibility for the outcome.
• Not mentioning any lessons learned or improvements made.

Example answer

“During a concert with my school orchestra, my instrument's tuning went off unexpectedly right before a solo. I quickly signaled to my conductor and adjusted my tuning while maintaining my focus on the music. The audience noticed a slight pause, but I was able to recover and deliver my solo successfully. This experience taught me the importance of staying calm and thinking on my feet during performances.”