jvmac
Junior Member
Posts: 83 
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Post by jvmac on Nov 8, 2006 5:32:05 GMT 10
I sat too... close, I could see all those shaking hands, Jackson was probably the only performer who made me forget I was listening to a competition, except perhaps for Andrea, (can't wait to find that 1st solo piece that she played).
I felt that some of the performers, just made their pieces too complicated, perhaps, in an attempt to fill the criteria, others were just plain nervous.
On the other hand, I thought the standard was so high this year, they're all winners!! Can't wait to see Marc in Wollongong at the end of the month.
V
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Post by trumpetguy on Nov 8, 2006 8:38:05 GMT 10
I personally think that Jackson Harrison, was the winner on the day. Vicki derr! |
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Post by glean on Nov 8, 2006 12:55:33 GMT 10
I personally think that Jackson Harrison, was the winner on the day. Vicki derr! meow!  |
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jvmac
Junior Member
Posts: 83
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Post by jvmac on Nov 8, 2006 17:48:44 GMT 10
Thanks, trumpetguy for pointing out my poor choice of words, obviously I'm neither a musician nor a writer, but I thought this thread was about the piano comp not my shortcomings.
V
PS. Does anyone remember the names of the Monk pieces played during the semis, I have an unindentified tune on a tape, and I'm sure I heard it during the comp, but I missed the name.
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Post by marksiks on Nov 8, 2006 18:08:31 GMT 10
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Post by mim on Nov 8, 2006 18:21:55 GMT 10
I agree with everything Cap'n said, wholeheartedly, except that Vicki was saying that Jackson deserved to win because he played in a familiar style. I don't read that in her posts at all. I think she's right, it is more entertaining to see someone play what they love. I think the other fellas did exactly that. Marc had an absolute blast on stage. He communicated with the rhythm section more than anybody else, not just with musical interaction but with eye contact, and a smile on his face for most of the performance. I wouldn't believe for one second that he was more nervous than any other competitor. all the finalists must have had some nerves, no one is ever that 100 per cent confident in a comp or most place else. If you were totally confident you wouldnt bother with comps at all. What total rot. Sure, the competitors probably all had some nerves. But are you really saying that a confident player wouldn't enter a competition? Bollocks! There are more benefits to entering a competition than boosting your confidence or ego, and definitely more benefits if you actually win a competition. |
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Post by alimcg on Nov 8, 2006 19:32:08 GMT 10
Did Marc really smile while playing? ;D Maybe he was thinking of Borat...
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Post by mim on Nov 8, 2006 19:43:16 GMT 10
It wasn't a grin, but the corners of his mouth were definitely skyward. Borat on the brain? Perhaps. Marc, care to comment?
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Post by alimcg on Nov 8, 2006 19:46:51 GMT 10
Maybe it was the angle you were sitting on mim...
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Post by mim on Nov 8, 2006 19:52:14 GMT 10
Maybe. Stop picking on me, Al.
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Post by trumpetguy on Nov 8, 2006 20:56:51 GMT 10
What total rot. Sure, the competitors probably all had some nerves. But are you really saying that a confident player wouldn't enter a competition? Bollocks! There are more benefits to entering a competition than boosting your confidence or ego, and definitely more benefits if you actually win a competition. Since when was being a creative musician about competition? How does participation in a competition relate to any creative process whatsoever? Obviously, there is a chance of financial benefits when entering a competition, but WTF has it to do with music? Does the money gained by the winners outway the self-esteem destruction of the losers? Does anybody care? |
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Post by glean on Nov 8, 2006 22:22:10 GMT 10
What total rot. Sure, the competitors probably all had some nerves. But are you really saying that a confident player wouldn't enter a competition? Bollocks! There are more benefits to entering a competition than boosting your confidence or ego, and definitely more benefits if you actually win a competition. Since when was being a creative musician about competition? How does participation in a competition relate to any creative process whatsoever? Obviously, there is a chance of financial benefits when entering a competition, but WTF has it to do with music? Does the money gained by the winners outway the self-esteem destruction of the losers? Does anybody care? self esteem destruction. interesting. this is a most unfortunate side effect of competitions but I think it is self inflicted. we all decide how we feel about ourselves so if you enter and dont win you can decide that the judges were wrong and you are the best. or the judges were right and you are flattered to have got in. or it is purely subjective and it doesnt matter but gee you could have done with the money. or you could think "gee a whole lot of new people heard me play and i got to work with a great bass player and drummer and I was motivated to practice a lot more than usual for a while which has only improved my playing" or you can decide to think "woe is me, I lost everyone hates me." but that would be pretty sad. |
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Post by alimcg on Nov 8, 2006 22:36:58 GMT 10
Mmm, creative musician, competition... where have I come across that before... oh yeah, there's
Competition for places at the best tertiary music schools...
Competition for gigs...
Competition for radio play...
Competition for audience...
Competition for recording contracts and distribution...
Competition for reviews...
Competition for press coverage...
Competition for the good teaching positions...
Competition for grants...
Did I miss any?
Nobody with any sense would mistake the judges decision at Wang as the be-all-and-end-all. Were any of the 10 finalists better than the others? Hell no, but they sure were diverse. I think the comp serves a purpose in providing great exposure for the 10 finalists (obviously great exposure for the winner), and I'm sure that opportunities will be available to some of the finalists that weren't available before. Then there's the tangible prizes for the top 3, and as glen said a chance to play with a great rhythm section and huge motivation to practice your arse off. It's also a pretty good thing for the rhythm section. I'm sure this opportunity will do James Hauptmann's career no harm at all. As for self-esteem destruction of "losers," well what a load of old toss. The judges are on a hiding to nothing here, and I don't think failure to make even the top 3 will stop these musos from continuing their hard work. Maybe not winning will kick their arses even more and spur them on to better things than a top 3 place would? Who knows. But if they're too precious to accept the vagaries of such a competition, they shouldn't enter in the first place.
The bottom line is, a few great young players get a boost, and nobody really loses anything because of the result.
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Post by trumpetguy on Nov 9, 2006 9:09:03 GMT 10
My experience is that a lot of people who don't do so well in this comp, particularly those who were expected to do well, have been ABSOLUTELY crushed. Any thoughts from past "not winners?" Call me crazy, but I don't think it is healthy in any sense . As for motivation to practice,etc, it's pretty sad if this is what it takes to get off your arse and practice. Re playing with a good rhythm section - are you saying these people don't normally play with good rhythm sections?. Competition for places at the best tertiary music schools... - Competition or wanting to get in to a school for self development - does anybody really want to get in to a school to beat somebody else? Sure, there are limited places in these schools but I think musicians prepare themselves to be ready to go to these places and not think " I better beat everyone else trying out". Competition for gigs... Surely you should just worry about your own thing and not try to white ant other people's gigs Maybe I'm coming from completely the wrong angle, but I think music is an intensely personal thing, and that competition and competitions are merely unnecessary distractions. |
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Post by glean on Nov 9, 2006 12:35:06 GMT 10
several people I know entered over the years
2 very much crushed (both women)
one knew he didn't play so well in the comp and was fine with it and decided not to enter again tho he was able
one was fine with the whole experience, but he didn't win. this guy is usually positive about life.
if you are crushed by not getting into the finals or the comp as a whole you better think about getting out of the entertainment industry cos that won't be your only career knockback.
But seriously do you really care what 3 jazz farts think about your playing?
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