Dear Students, Teachers and Colleagues

I had an interesting week juding a big competition in Taiwan, I also did concerts and master classes.

As a result of this experience, I would like to mention a few things and make suggestions to both students and teachers who plan to enter a competition in the future:

- always remember that it is your musicianship and artistry that will win, not the piece. Many students chose showy pieces that were above their level and it showed, yet they could play. Hopefully they will choose an easier piece next time that will allow them to express themselves better.

- also remember that you need to show how soft you can play, not just blast all the time

- vary the vibrato, don't play each piece with the same tone, try to sound like a different character for each piece.

- remember that the judges WANT you to do a great job, so take some chances and express yourself, so many play so safe.

It's nice when we hear someone like Patrick who goes direct to the point and explains the whole thing.
Congrats for this great job you've done there and for the good advise you gave.

Zevang

Yes, thank you Patrick. I hope you have a fun time being a judge. How may people did you listen to?

Thank you for the advice. (: I've got an audition coming up, so I'll try to keep those in mind.

I must have listened to 80, plus I heard quite a few more in other places as I did concerts/master classes for Jupiter, at one event we had over 100 students and teachers and I had to sign about 70 CD's and posters.