Competitions

[green]

With what attitude do u enter stds into competions, if u do. Do u feel it is important, for what reason? Why might u advise stds not to enter competions, and rather just 'perform' on regular concerts.

If u want to enter competitions, then what is your attitude to it, and what do u hope to gain by doing so?

What is there to be gained? How do competitions create a false notion of achievment? What values become complicit by entering competions? For example, if I have not considered my own goals in life, and playing piano, how does entering a competition allow the competition itself to establish those goals and values for u.

Did/do all 'great' pianists enter competitions?  Who didn't and why?

What may or may not be compromised in terms of standards of achievment or personal goals? The competition itself, for example, may not be of an 'international' standard, cultivating rather, imasculated performers, or something more akin to factory workers than 'true performers'. Yamaha comes to mind....

What advice do u offer stds/parents?

[kulahola]

Competitions are only one more opportunity to perform. To become an artist, you need to perform a lot. I am not for competitions in terms of sport events but only performing events. I actually do have some kids who ask themselves for competition. Then as a teacher it s a good way of knowing where you stand compared to other teachers and kids in the same area.

But I dont make any difference between competitions and other performance events. I ask in all cases for the best the student is capable of.