does your order in a competition matter?

[david456103]

does it affect the results if, say, you play first in a competition, versus whether you play last? I've heard that people at the end have an advantage, but after watching a couple competitions im not sure this is always the case.

[david456103]

anyone?  /10char

[david456103]

bump..?

[andrewkoay]

Doesn't really matter, it's a mental thing I would say. I personally prefer to be the first one to play, so that I don't feel the need to compare with others, and I can sit down in the audience to enjoy the music after that!

[wkoseluk]

I always thought the order mattered.  I suppose it was based on my experience of seeing the final performer/competitor as the frequent winner - or finalist.  It's the last music heard and sometimes the most remembered.  I always hoped to play towards the end, but it was usually the luck of the draw.  In reality, there are probably other factors (repertoire, student's teacher, etc.) that are more significant. 

[kevin69]

If the competition is scored numerically, i don't think it'll matter much.
When i started interviewing people for jobs at work i was strongly advised to
design a numerical scoring system based on what the job required before doing any interviews
in order to avoid this sort of bias.

If the competition is not scored, then i think that going first (and setting the standard
that others must beat) or going last (and so being freshest in the judges minds) are both
minor advantages. I can't see any advantage of being in the middle.

[kevin69]

similarly, i think that you want to start and end your program strongly
and you might get away with being weaker in the middle.

A weak start and you'll be dismissed as a contender straight away and not recover.

A weak ending and thats the last impression of you the judges will have.

Its not an accident that most of the money in hollywood blockbusters gets spent
on the first and last five minutes of the film.

[theodore]

I was once in 12th place in a set of 14 contestants. Right around the 10th contestant, I felt like my mind wanted to not hear any more piano music.  I had to go out of the auditorium for a candy bar and a drink of water.  I came back just in time to perform and was quite energized at the sight of an empty stage waiting for me.

The 15 minute break really helped me and got me out of a listless and boring mood.  The judges said that I was a bit rough in my interpretations but that otherwise I played well.     

[etogmajor]

It mattered for me once. I was in a competition with 38 people in my category. No chance I was even going to get an honourable mention, but I played first in the afternoon. I didn't see anyone play before me.

I didn't play my best because I didn't realize how much better everyone else was than me. If I had seen someone play before me, I would have tried harder. I probably wouldn't have done too much better, but I would have felt better about myself.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

NOOO it does matter.

People tend to remember the first and last in a series.  It's called th serial position effect.

So that means that the judges will most likely best remember the first and the last person who played.