how seriously should I listen to a judge?

[chopincrazy23]

Hello,
I have been doing many competitions and I noticed every once in a while when I get an old, strict judge, they seem to pick on everything that is slightly wrong with how I am playing. It seems that they also only like songs played with THEIR interpretation. When they say my interpretation (which is a combination of what my teacher says and some of my own) is to loud or something, should I really change it just to get the points?

[j_menz]

should I really change it just to get the points?

If you want to win, yes.

It's one of the reasons competitions suck! 

[ajspiano]

Personally, when (if i was doing any competitive playing ) I get an old strict judge I think that's the ideal time to transpose the work and play it as if its a bossa nova.

Don't do that if you want to win though.

[chopincrazy23]

Personally, when (if i was doing any competitive playing ) I get an old strict judge I think that's the ideal time to transpose the work and play it as if its a bossa nova.

Don't do that if you want to win though.

I will make sure to do that!  haha

[chopincrazy23]

If you want to win, yes.

It's one of the reasons competitions suck! 

Ok. Thanks for replying!

[soitainly]

 That is a really hard question. It goes to the core of your self and your artistic sense, versus trusting advice of someone with more experience. If a judge/teacher/fan/critic/whatever? wants you to play their interpretation, I tend to say, you can play it however you want but I play it how I want to. I will listen to someone who is sincere about there advice, but if they are just trying to promote their own agenda, then I politely nod and smile, then do what I want

 Chopincrazy23 kind of hit the nail on the head on why competitions suck. If all you care about is following the herd, and winning the top sheep award, then try and pander to what you think each judge or competition is looking for. If you want to be an artist, trust your own judgement. That doesn't mean blindly or stubbornly sticking to a losing path, but constantly evaluating your playing, and working hard to define what you think is a good performance and interpretation.

[dima_76557]

Hello,
I have been doing many competitions and I noticed every once in a while when I get an old, strict judge, they seem to pick on everything that is slightly wrong with how I am playing. It seems that they also only like songs played with THEIR interpretation. When they say my interpretation (which is a combination of what my teacher says and some of my own) is to loud or something, should I really change it just to get the points?

"Old strict judge" may be wrong impression. It is said, that for Elisabeth Competition, for a sample, if you can get into session with Hans Leygraf, you have great chance of winning because he knows formula to win that competition. Nothing bad about that. It is just temporary solution and does not change your personal artistic self. On some competitions, it is arrogant to not follow conventions, even if you are genius. If you can get to final and then create scandal with excentric stuff, you may not win but this can help your career, but problem is pre-screening and first stages where it will not be appreciated.

Also: remarks like "too loud", "too soft", "not this", "not that", "too much this", "too much that" may be a way to awaken you artistically. Not always bad. My advice: trust old strict judge. He will not harm you because he knows that the session with him will later be in your CV as "studied with X" if results of session are good.