I once heard a professional concert pianist give a bit of advice that was profound. It wasn’t about practicing, or technical exercises, or time management. It wasn’t about technique or physical strength.
It was about mental prowess and discipline. And that advice was to never compare yourself to other pianists, which is something I have been guilty of repeatedly.
I remember being a music major in college and walking to the practice rooms. I would stop and listen to the other piano students running through their technical exercises or working on their etudes or sonatas and my heart would sink. Because to my ear, they sounded more advanced and technically-proficient than me.
I would find an empty practice room and give myself a pep talk. I’d remember that comparing myself to others wasn’t helpful because it only left me feeling deflated. The futile attempt to compare only got me too much in my head, rather than in my heart where I would find the needed emotional connection to the music. Lastly, I’d remind myself that we each have our own unique expression and musical delivery.
Thankfully, I took that lesson to heart and applied it to my performance at the university that quarter. Once again, I was surrounded by my virtuosic peers as we took turns performing in the group recital. But I decided not to focus on how good my peers were in comparison. The piece that I was going to play (by Debussy) was unlike the other repertoire being performed that evening.
When it was my turn, I put all my focus and attention into the expression and beauty of Debussy’s piece. After the recital, I received a compliment that I will never forget. A fellow (and well-respected) music major said to me, “Your performance was beautiful. I would so much rather hear someone play with passion like that over someone who plays technically perfect.”
So when I later heard the concert pianist who tours and performs professionally say that her best piece of advice is to never compare yourself to others, I understood exactly what she meant. Rather than striving to be like others, aim to find your own unique emotional connection with the music and deliver it with passion, in the way that only you can do.