Piano Competition

[annrach3]

I am going to enter a piano competition but I feel so nervous about it. Can someone share his/her experience so I can get a better idea about how to handle competitions? I've head that it will only take a few minutes of listening for the adjudicators to judge the pianist, isn't that terrible?

[Celeste]

I've only been in a few competitions, so my experience isn't the greatest. what happened to me is the judge listened to me and then wrote a few notes on the paper. When I was done playing, she said a few words, and then I left. the paper was sent to me about  a week later in the mail I think, saying how I did. If you can, test out the piano a few minutes beforehand. That always helps.

[d1musicman]

The more I concentrate on what I'm playing, the less nervous I am. Forget about everything else, just play because you love what you are doing.

They're probably not going to say "nice job" when you're done. They will thank you though. Depending on how long your piece(s) is they will probably stop you before the end. It's nothing personal, they're just being judges...

The first competition I was in, I didn't make it past the first round. I was devistated. Looking back, I did the best I could at the time and should have been happy with my performance. If you're happy with how you play it doesn't matter what the judges think. One of the judges on my panel loved my playing, the other didn't. If you're happy with how you perform, then you were successful. Of course, it's always more fun to win.  

[amee]

Do you know if you will be playing your pieces in front of other competitors, or just to the judges?  I always find it easier to play when there are fewer people listening to me.  Another thing is, I do best when I'm not thinking about it.  If I put too much stress on a performance, then I'm bound to mess up.

[KyleE]

Hello, my name is Kyle, and I am new to this forum.  I am in a different competition nearly every weekend throughout the year.  They are usually a lot of fun.  You have to know your music flawlessly and go in confidently.  When performing at a recital, I think to myself that the people I am performing for are here to see me play, and they are here to see only me.  This gives me confidents and helps me relax.  You have to take this attutide to the competitions also.  Usually, in my experience, you go in to the judges room...either 1-3 judges...you play your warm-up scale and cadence...they get ready with your music, and they give you the o.k to begin.  When done with your first piece, you usually wait a minute or 2 for them to write..they give you the o.k again, and you play your next piece.  When you are done they will either just hand you the music and you will be able to leave, or they might ask you a question or 2...or you will wait a minute for them to write some notes while looking at your music.  Compitions are a lot of fun, nothing to get nervous about.  Play your best.  Remember...they are there to see you perform.