Of course, if you already have a live or studio recording you want to share with us, that’s great! This guide is for people who are just about to prepare a recording for a competition.
What is worth remembering when preparing a recording?
First of all, remember that you don’t need professional equipment. At a competition we judge how you play, not the quality of the recording. If you have access to a studio, why not, make a quality recording that will be useful later in your career. But for competition purposes a home recording with amateur equipment is also sufficient. We want everyone to have equal access to our competition and be treated equally.
Most modern smartphones allow you to get really good sound quality. If you have a DSLR camera and an external microphone – that’s great! Use a tripod and try to set up your desired frame. If you’re recording yourself solo – it’s important that your whole body is visible, as well as the work of your hands. Even more important is the sound: do some tests on the microphone, make sure it’s not set too loud or too quiet and that there’s no distortion (reverb). Sometimes a small move of the equipment, or hanging a curtain makes a big difference. In the case of ensembles, this difference will be mostly about the intimate sound of the ensemble. Treat the sound as a priority, but make sure the band members are well visible.
Now let’s get to work! We assume that you are well prepared and will play your best possible version of the piece. But don’t be afraid to make mistakes, give yourself time to get used to the camera and get the best possible focus. After all, you’ll be able to choose the version you think is closest to perfect. The recording process itself has a huge educational value! By listening to your own productions you become your own teacher and you often make more conscious corrections and changes in your playing. This is very valuable for musicians at every stage of their education.
Have fun recording! Good luck!
