Competition isn't an area I've given much thought to. I suppose for the exact same reasons we see problems existing within the ranking and critiquing aspects of Singers Showcase. The problems we run into when "judging others" perhaps, aspect's of the contestants and judges maturity. Inability for many people to deliniate between "game" and personal affront. I was always an excellent chess player, funny thing is, I was always a horrible competitor.. I suppose like many others, within the course of my upbringing, and education I was trained to win, yet never trained to deal with being average, or coping with being at the "other end" of the competition (when taken as seriously as competition so often is), the losing end.
I suppose the fact is, competition is a game that involves someone winning, other's losing, and others making the determination "who is better than whom", but in what ways ? Are such determinations limited to the actual game ? Face it, we live in a culture where games are used to displace aspects of stress and reality, but instead the games often are just another venue, or become yet another platform we transfer
other life's problems to... Am I really enjoying a game if those viewing me playing the game are seeing an angry guy slamming around kicking a pinball machine while I'm cursing, and tense ? Even when I'm winning there's tension...and when I lose, the culmination of the experience often sends me in search of the immediate rompus room where the pinball machine, and my immediate environment seem as though they will have to suffice.
Funniest part is, these are the activities we resort to for relaxation, and fun...
I suppose people DO sweat the small stuff, and forget how to have fun, take themselves too seriously, etc... The competitive field more than not serves as battle grounds where you can view individual's beating up others, and themselves. A stage where an outside viewer can watch how large children throw more sophisticated tantrums.. Ironically, the competitor's playing the game seem to seldom stop to ask themselves.... Is this really fun for me ? What's happening here ? Probably because some don't know how to let go and have fun, nor do they ask themselves prior to playing the game, "am I ready to leave my baggage at the door prior to entering the game rooms?". Just another example how being an adult physically, often doesn't mean we've grown up enough to partake in certain activities in a civil manner. Not if we can't relax, and let stuff go. I for one, am exceptionally self competitive, it's relentless at times.. For this reason game and reality are often bridged.... I might try to cheat on a medical test, thinking I'm winning, or might not take online tests because I'm afraid I'll be average, something that to me is as bad as failing.... For these reasons, I at least realize I shouldn't be competing with others...I'm not healthy enough. But how many really are ?
At times it's important to remind ourselves, "I'm here to have fun", SOLELY.. When it's no longer fun, times up. Go elsewhere to try to chill out. Whether it's Karaoke, online chatrooms, certain things should just be fun for us...
Some are able to deal with competitive "games", other's of us will buy a slinky.
Quote:
...i recently redid 'heaven' .... i want you to listen to see if it's any better....i also want to redo that duet billy and i did for you to critique again, buttttt we neglected to save his part and he doubts he could hit that falsetto again and i haveeeeeee to have the falsetto...i think that made the song
I have a question for you Jeanne, or anyone for that matter.. I'm curious about this aspect. When I heard you do the song, I gave it a "10" reason being, IN MY OPINION the song couldn't be done better.. I listened to the KJ Sammy, DO candlelight rendition, it didn't touch the warmth, and romantic feel of your rendition, to date, I've heard no other versions or performances of that song that have. It could've been YOU doing that song, OR someone I never spoke with or knew...Same ranking HONEST "10" IMO in it's genre, A genre I've worked in most of my life "cocktail lounge style", I ranked that ONLY on performance of THAT song, it did what it was set out to do...it "touched" me as a listener... Your dynamics IMO were exactly on. (for that type song and setting), in such a genre, it isn't "technical" expertise that matter's as much as presentation and accuracy conveying the story. Your ethereal type vibrato fade-out was perfect.. Your mix was ideal given that song. I'm wondering if I should or shouldn't listen to another attempt for "critique" ?.... Personally, I don't know... This is a question *I* raise...I don't know how this does, or should work... You have really really tough competition Jeanne, your first take. So my question is, If I listen to critique again, I must treat you as a new and independent attempt competing for the 10 rank on a song that already has a 10 correct ?
Given that, I will listen, yet I might not like it as much as your first version, OR it might be another 10...
Thing is I will need to listen when my head is clear so I can scrutinize...If I have to compare a 10 to another 10 I still have to substantiate my reasons, and compare intricate area's...I need to be of sane mind, and for me such states only rarely phase in...
The duet, I gave you honest critique on too
Looking forward to hearing a remake. As I vaguely recall it was blend, and balance and style I was yacking about pertaining the duet. How two communicate within the body of the song..
I used to always get a few opinions on my critiquing abilities in the past.. As with any judging, I'm FULLY accountable for my opinions, and my comment's that affect someone else in an area of art... I learned a few funny things...I sat in as one of the judges in Showtune, and Classical venue competitions awhile back... I learned I don't have enough exposure (even as a musician) to those particular genre's to know what to listen for, or what qualities are preferable... It's interesting to learn about our limitations as those doing the critiquing... It's also VERY important ! IE...I'm not currently sophisticated enough to critique jazz vocals...and as a blues-based musician, not really knowledgable enough in my own genre's vocals to critique and honestly rank the blues vocalist....
Contestants should really understand that most of these "contests" just involve winning over those making the decisions, often by distracting them, or bluffing them, it's not just about your singing, Few have enough knowledge to judge a person's ability, these are hack judges...
Most are just sidewalk type foreman that have no real musicianship experience or skill, let alone qualify to assign rank to performances in such an area. That's a skill few judges in these hack contests have... You want a real rank or critique ? Go to a music conservatory that has reputable musicians familiar with your genre. If you want a real, and humbling experience regarding your classical vocal ability.. Go to Lincoln Center, and have a critique done by a Julliard prof..
.. I was critiqued by a few Eastman and Hartt prof's, and I didn't really like what they offered me
.. I also studied jazz piano for years under John Mohegan as a teen, and when I lived in Fairfield County was in a competition where Dave Brubeck judged me....In college my advisor, and instructor was a Julliard graduate ranked top of his class, this stuff is REAL life, either you have gotten to a certain level of a skill, or you have not. These individual's can think the world of you as a person, but they will give you an "F" too assuming you flunk the content..It's not who likes you
. It's not a fun and pretty situation, it *IS* a learning experience....If you want to get good at something, you're going to get the ^*(%* kicked out of you.. Just the way it is... At one point, you're going to suffer black and blue marks on your ego..If and when you do get to a point where many consider that you excel. You likely will never feel it..because of so many humbling experiences. You also learn that excel of course means even MORE competition, stricter judging of your abilities (since expectations are EXTREMELY high).. Excel is a temporary state...It comes with a history of alot of bruises and hurt feelings. It's understandible why the best in certain area's, often never plateau to a point where they can bask in their level of accomplishment..
All these other competitions ? They are JUST to be fun... assuming you can keep that in perspective. Real competition IMHO forces those who normally can't stomach "brutal honesty", to face it...In an honest competition you are shown your place, and it's not negotiable.. Similarly with the "real" critique, if your professor ever writes, or tell's you "DeWd, you are AwSum, a real 10, dang".
You might want to run a check to make sure the prof's diploma wasn't purchased on Ebay.
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Anyway, as I said, I don't like competitions