<p>My personal statement that I'm sending to many colleges is about music and how it's influenced me and blah blah blah (no really, it has), but I've only been playing the piano for less than 3 years, so I'm reluctant to send a recording to colleges. Will colleges see this as an inconsistency? Would I be better off by sending an amateur recording, or by not sending one at all? In my essay I discussed a piece that I'm learning right now, but it is too difficult for me to play well (which I also made clear in my essay). I'm applying to pretty competitive schools like upenn, cornell, uchi, Wash U STL. Any advice would be appreciated.</p>
<p>If you can't play it well, just don't send it in; it will detract from your app.</p>
<p>I agree. Don't send in a piece that isn't close to perfect. If you have a simple piece that shows musicality, though, feel free to send it. On my recording, I included a song that isn't advanced but quite beautiful and expressive.</p>
<p>thanks for the advice. I'll consider sending a simpler piece. On a related note, the piece I'm trying to learn now is a Chopin Nocturne. Would it be completely asinine of me to only send like the first segment of it? because it gets pretty hairy technically after that. The first segment lasts like two minutes, and is very slow and musical. That is also the piece I discussed in my essay.</p>
<p>I wouldn't think it to be a problem. Most colleges actually ask for a shoter-type sample.</p>
<p>Am I right here?: C minor nocturne Op. 48 #1?</p>
<p>c# minor opus 27 no.1</p>