<p>Piano is an instrument I took up last year out of my own volition. I really love to play and have gone on some terrifying piano binges (8 hours a day for a part of the summer!), but I have very little experience, since I've only been playing for a year. I've recorded a few pieces, but I don't know if it's a good idea to send subpar recordings, even if it is to show improvement/dedication. I read "A is for Admission", and the author warns not to send mediocre recordings. My recordings aren't particularly amazing, they're fairly diversified, but I'm not Horowitz...</p>
<p>If anyone has any expertise on the subject, here's my repertoire. I am self-taught, so I hope this could help in the EC field:</p>
<p>-Moment-Musicaux Op. 16 No. 4 in E minor, Rachmaninov
-Mov. 2 of Sonata No. 8, "Path</p>
<p>I'm not familiar with piano music. However, if you are self taught I would be extraordinarily cautious. These CDs all go to the music department, and I assure you that these people know the pieces you record very well and will be able to tell every error. This isn't necessarily bad: my teacher advised me to not pick a perfect recording because colleges would assume it wasn't me. What it does mean is that if you play this entire piece with a slightly inaccurate tempo or rhythm, they will know, and it will probably make them angry (I would certainly be annoyed if I listened to a recording of a piece I play played incorrectly). You are correct, your music will be compared to that of the other applicants, so make sure you can compete. Practicing eight hours a day can get you pretty far, pretty fast, but 1) you can also develop an incorrect technique and poor habits without a good teacher and 2) you will be compared to musicians who practice four to six hours a day, every day, and have for ten years. </p>
<p>My advice: get a teacher and ask him/her if you ought to send one. If you don't want to do that, be careful to send one only if you are absolutely positive it will not hurt you.</p>
<p>...Edited because I used a word I wasn't allowed to use.</p>
<p>Where I live, most of the talented students take piano lessons from this one guy who is really really good. Many of his students have gone to MIT and Harvard. So I'm sure he has experience about sending in recordings or not.</p>
<p>Also, get a teacher who participates in competitions. That way you can compete with other kids in your area and see where your level truly is.</p>
<p>Last year? IDK... most likely you haven't learned a good number of dynamics, style, etc. (MOST LIKELY... I don't know whether or not you really have). I'd be wary of sending them in. If you think you are good enough (and a good musician thinks so, too) sure. </p>
<p>Also, if you're a little rough due to your self-teaching, they may look around the dispcrepancies and see natural talent (if you're good and have the talent, that is).</p>
<p>It seems to be that your passion is more interesting than your proficiency. For example" What is so appealing? What are you trying to accomplish with this?</p>
<p>I think it makes for the basis of a potentially very interesting essay since this passion will likely translate to whatever you decide to major in. Whether or not you are 'world-class' is not as interesting and it is a bit naive to think that you are, having studied so little at this point.</p>
<p>So I say, yes, use your musical experience to your benefit, but not in the way that you had envisioned.</p>
<p>yeah i would be wary about sending a recording if you're not that experienced, but then again you could be some incredible virtuoso, so I don't know....</p>
<p>btw
does anyone know how hard it is to play Chopin's Ballade No.1 Op. 23? I heard it the other day, and I love it, but it seems pretty complicated. I've been playing for about 7 years, but I'm not nearly as good as some of the musicians on this board. I play at a fairly advanced level, I guess. I think the hardest piece I've played is Chopin's Minute Waltz or Mozart's Turkish Rondo.</p>
<p>I bet they would rather read an essay about how you've learned piano independently. That would look really good, a lot better than sending in a recording you can't be confident in.</p>
<p>I disagree with magnusrex. If I read an essay about someone learning a common musical instrument independently, I would, no offence, be appalled. If you are truly passionate about it, why don't you fork over some money in order to get the best training possible in order to become the best musician possible? Learning the piano independently strikes me as idiodic for a whole bunch of reasons (developing an incorrect technique, bad habits, lack of a mentor, etc.). I would strongly suggest you do not write that essay.</p>
<p>Learning piano independently is not that bad.
1. You might not really have the money.
2. You might prefer not committing to it as a full on EC but play it leisurely whenever you feel like, and still reach a reasonable level.
3. Unlike the violin, for example, piano is an instrument that can be fairly easily learnt upto a reasonable amateur level without a teacher, due to multiple reasons. (For instance, your hearing does not need to be spot-on, since it is an instrument that doesn't require personal tuning, and they're keys rather than a continuous string)
etc. etc.</p>
<p>But, knowing some of the pieces the OP plays, I would very strongly suggest that he doesn't send a recording.
They're simply not advanced enough, and as other posters have said, the techniques and interpretations are likely to be a little off.
To the OP, try 15 hours a day in the weekends or holidays.
8 hours sleep, 1 hour of eating/shower/etc.
And your hands/arms/back will actually almost kill you.</p>
<p>Also, to the poster asking about the Chopin's Ballade No.1.
Yes, it is very difficult.
It is about 47 times as hard Turkish March and Minute Waltz combined.
The ending is especially difficult.
Major works of Chopin require a higher level of interpretation, so I'll give it a little more time.
It is a very good piece though.
Try listening to No.4 as well.</p>
<p>I actually do have an essay to accompany the recordings.</p>
<p>I wasn't able to get instruction because of money (I guess our low income would help in admissions?), and on top of that, my father got in a car crash, and we know about all the expenses that go along with that.</p>
<p>My problem with the recordings is that the piano I played on was terrible. It was a rather nice white Yamaha, well-tuned, but it wasn't worn into yet, so playing pp was almost impossible. Half the time, I would try to play a slow, melodious piece (Mov. 2 of Pathetique), and the sounds wouldn't sound because the piano doesn't make a sound unless the key attack is really strong. </p>
<p>If anyone here wants to hear one of the recordings and give your opinions, I'll be more than happy to help.</p>