Competition or Affirmation?

At the risk of turning this space into a new age, self help or power of positive thinking space, I had a recent thought about competition.

The musical world we travel in is highly competitive, whether you are a performer, composer, ensemble or arts advocate.  I was reminded of this a few days ago when an established pianist mentioned she still checked in between the piano keys in shared spaces for razor blades. I think she was talking about the practice rooms at music schools or conservatories.

Maybe she was kidding. Maybe it’s just an old reflex that hasn’t yet disappeared.

In my line of business, there are many others doing a version of what I’m doing. Some are doing it bigger and better than me. Some are pursuing a similar philosophical approach; others are taking a different path.

Regardless, we’re all doing it according to us. It’s our own personal, unique in some way, approach.

Just as I was viewing this as “my competition,” I thought maybe ‘affirmation’ or ‘confirmation” might be a better, more accurate context.  There’s a need for what we do, and there are enough artists interested in what we offer.

What about you?

There’s the way you play the well-known repertoire. Only you play it that way, and there are likely thousands of people who are open to welcome your interpretation with open minds and ears.

If that’s true, and I believe it is, then the only thing left to do is get the word out.

P.S. Here’s a wild thought: if “affirmation” or “confirmation” would be a better point of view, what would happen if you supported and helped your “competition”?