Music Competitions
Music should not be placed in a competitive nature, that is to say, that unlike sports where there is a clear winner, music is subjective, and fluid. People have preferences that will undoubtedly influence their choice in music, and there are so many styles, complexities, and layers to music that it makes itself impossible to judge. As Dave Pirner once said, “Music is not a contest, it’s not a competition, so giving out trophies seems a little bit like the sporting world I left behind when I was a kid.” Despite this, there are many people who want to enter music competitions for various reasons.
It is not uncommon for people to participate in music contests to increase their exposure and help them break into the music industry. There are all types of music contests, some for songwriters, vocal performers, teens, etc. With so many music contests it can be difficult knowing which ones to choose. Firstly, don’t be afraid to fail or not make it. There are plenty of competitions, and you’re not going to win them all. The important thing is that you try, the more you do it, the more confident you’ll become, and the less intimidating the entire thing will seem.
There are a few very popular music competitions that are televised, such as American Idol and America’s got talent, but there are many others all geared towards different aspects of the music creating process (like songwriting). Before you sign up for any competitions do some research, not just want it takes to enter but any ideas, lessons, or tips you can tell from past competitors to increase your chances of winning. That is not to say you should mimic people, try to learn from any mistakes, and hone your skillset.
Practice. When you are entering a competition, it’s only natural to feel nervous. Of you are prone to freezing, then you’ll want to practice till you develop muscle memory so that even if your mind freezes you won’t have to put as much thought into preforming your piece (depending on the type of completion), and you’ll be able to ease into it quickly.
The success of your music should not be based on a trophy you receive at a music competition. Still, exposure is not a bad thing when you are trying to advance your career.