Piano Competitions

Experience, performance, hard work.... trophy??

For the next part of my piano journey, I look forward to enter more students for piano competitions, and some of them actually winning prizes.

My students and myself used to aim for soley exams, specifically ABRSM exams, that is very important (obviously) in Asia. However, competitions should be encouraged too.

Only exams all the time...hmm...good, but you don't see talent and variety...

My experience with competitions have been happy! I enjoyed all rounds of drilling of repertoire, endless reminders on posture, glamouring up with suits and dresses etc... It gives piano learning a whole new dimension, and a positively motivating one!

Of course once or twice there shall be competitors whom cried, threw a tantrum, sore losers etc... But that is fine, go back to solely piano lessons or pop songs if you find the competitive arena too stressful.

There is a place for everybody, the classroom learner, the ambitious competitor, the parent-helper, the exam-oriented child, all is loved, but let's aim higher from now onwards.

Competitions, well well well...

Where to begin? Which competition to start with? Does country matter? Payment via PayPal etc... ?!?!

•Know the name of the Competition you plan to join.

•Which category would you belong to?

•Confirm your exact age with your date of birth, a few months make a huge difference in the competitive arena.

•Select pieces from your existing repertoire, do not learn new pieces if this is only your first competition, because you cannot take it.

•Start picking new pieces and learn them, solely for that one competition when you are ready, as if presenting to soley that group of adjudicators, feels more special.

•In the classical piano world, do not wear crop tops, demin jackets, sexy bodycon or dyed hair, you will fail badly. Fashion gains no marks. It is about smartness.

•Enjoy outfits such as black suits, white gowns etc... It works very well in the piano industry.

I always believe, it is okay to be cool and fun, but when it is piano learning time, just be competitive and ambitious until you grow away from it.

Sure, competitions are really stressful, lots of old faces, new blood, but you should know where you stand, and once you do, you play way better.