The Value of Encouragement
Mar 16, 2009 Development Zone, Training for Competition
If it was not for the encouragement that I received from family, friends, and musicians, I would have quit the hammer dulcimer many years ago. The encouraging comments from those who recognized my talent was enough to keep me from quitting.
Additionally, I didn’t get the 1st place trophy at Winfield in one attempt. It took three failures before I had one success. And, I almost didn’t compete in 2003, but the encouragement of those around me was the inspiration that I needed to give it one more shot.
But my playing pursuits have not ended with a trophy, and I feel like my playing still has a long way to improve. But the encouragement that I received early on was enough to give me the confidence to continue for a lifetime.
Be a person who gives encouragement The value of encouragement may prove to be priceless.
Competition Tips
Feb 27, 2009 Training for Competition
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When competing, you should be concerned about giving reasons for the judges to give high marks. There are the obvious “non-bias”, purely object points such as proper tuning and playing without errors. But, it is true there are many subjective points that must be earned from the judges. In order to earn many of these points, please remember these two words: passion and arrangement.
While skill level is important, simply playing many notes does not impress the judges. I can with one hand play more notes than many people can with two, and I can play 18+ individual notes in 1 second. Impressed? So what! That is not the reason I won. Instead of playing many notes, give reason for the judges to actually remember the notes that you’ve played.
This is initially done with a quality arrangement. The most important issue is not can you play many notes, but it is what purpose does each note serve in adding to the arrangement to create memorable music. Be a student of arranging.
Secondly, passionate playing must come from within. In my best performances , I’ve noticed that I’m smiling, laughing, or crying. This is not acting–it is that I feel the music I’m playing. Develop the art of meekly delivering the passion from within to your music. This is very difficult to do in a competition setting and timid, flat music often occurs. Do what it takes to calm your nerves and remember that you’re competing to gratify the desires of your soul and to motivate improvement. Controlled, passionate playing is what will contribute greatly to winning a championship.
Quick tip #1: One thing that many people may not consider is that the judges are listening over a microphone, and it sounds different to them than it does to you! Record yourself. You may be surprised (hopefully pleasantly!) at what you hear.
Quick tip #2: Play solo. The judges are only scoring your instrument. You also don’t want to risk getting points docked for your support musician making a note error or timing mistake. Lastly, don’t use a support musician as a timing crutch. If you can’t keep timing in the first place, you’re probably not to the point that you could in clear conscience accept the title of national champion.
Tags: champion, Training for Competition, Winfield
Why Compete?
Feb 26, 2009 Training for Competition
One vital question that must be answered when giving consideration to competing is simply this. Why compete? Every person is made up differently, and motives for competing can vary drastically. Your answer to this question can be extremely revealing to the health status of your personal ambitions.
Early on, I had a youthful, unhealthy approach during many of my competition years. My unfortunate objective for competing was I wanted to win for the sake of winning and to increase my offensive pride. With this attitude came grave devastation if I didn’t win and dissatisfaction if I did win. When all you have is a desire to win with nothing else, than personal gratification will cease to exist soon after the title is awarded. I wasn’t happy with or without a trophy! Thankfully, I was not allowed to win the national championship until I had learned that it was a privilege and responsibility that must be accepted humbly and is most joyously received whenever personal motives are correctly placed.
Competition is best used to drive you to increase your playing abilities and ultimately expand the capabilities of your instrument. For example: auto racing has been around for years, and the competition has increased the performance of drivers and automobiles to levels that were unthinkable about 100 years ago. This is also true for musical instruments. There must be a desire to see the further advancement of your respective instrument. If somebody is better than you, don’t be jealous; be excited that your common goal of improving your instrument has been increased!
Competition is a great tool to improve your skills, expand your experience, and progress your instrument. These are the best and most fruitful reasons for competing. But regardless of your motives, make sure that you genuinely love your instrument, love playing, and want to use it to bring joy and happiness to your life and all who hear you play. With win or no win, this is guaranteed to bring satisfaction.
Have fun!
Tags: champion, Training for Competition