— Guide for pianists
Why Choose an Online Piano Competition? A Practical Guide
For pianists who want international opportunities without the expense and pressure of travelling to a live event, online competitions are an excellent choice. You save money and time, skip the journey and can perform in a familiar setting — while still working towards a meaningful musical goal. All competitions listed on MusCom are online, and they generally offer reliable feedback written by a human. Here is how to make the most of your next entry.
If you already have a programme in mind, browse the current online piano competitions as you work through these criteria. Preparing with another pianist? The piano duo competitions directory is a useful starting point for four-hand and two-piano repertoire.
1. Repertoire requirements
Read the rules before anything else. Some competitions allow a free programme within a time limit; others require set works — a Bach prelude and fugue, a Classical sonata, a virtuoso étude. Choose a competition whose requirements match pieces you already play at a high level, so you can polish rather than learn from scratch before the deadline.
2. More music, fewer expenses
Compared with a live competition, an online entry removes the need for flights, hotels and travel to the venue. Your budget can go towards your musical development instead. Free Entry competitions with a preliminary round let you take the first step without an upfront entry fee; a final-round fee applies if you qualify. Direct Paid Entry competitions have an upfront fee. Choose the option that suits your budget and check the edition’s terms before applying.
3. Save time and skip the journey
Online competitions fit around lessons, studies and work: there is no journey to organise and no need to spend days away from your normal routine. Prepare and record in a suitable space near you, then submit your performance online. Follow the competition’s recording rules, including any requirements for an unedited take, camera angle and recording date. Read why online competitions are worth it.
4. Reliable feedback, written by a human
A result is a milestone; thoughtful feedback helps you take the next step. MusCom competitions generally offer reliable, human-written feedback on your performance — not an automatically generated response. It gives you a personal perspective on your playing that you can bring into your practice and discuss with your teacher. Check the edition’s feedback details when choosing your entry.
5. Prizes and career value
Cash is nice, but concert engagements, recordings, festival invitations and masterclasses do more for a career. A laureate title from a well-organised competition strengthens applications for scholarships and conservatory programmes.
6. Less pressure, more focus on your playing
Live competitions can add travel fatigue, unfamiliar surroundings and the pressure of a single stage appearance. Recording in a familiar setting can reduce that stress and help you focus on the music. Where the rules allow, you can make another take before choosing your submission. Pick an age category and level that suit your stage of development, whether you are a young pianist, a student or an experienced performer.
7. Deadlines and preparation time
Work backwards from the application deadline: allow time to prepare, record, and re-record if needed. Plan two or three competitions a year rather than rushing into every one. See the competition calendar.
Quick checklist before you apply
- My repertoire meets the rules and time limits.
- I have chosen an entry option that fits my budget.
- I have checked the edition’s human-written feedback details.
- My recording follows the competition’s video requirements.
- I fit the age category.
- I have at least 4–6 weeks before the deadline.
- The prizes help my next career step.
Find your piano competition
Not sure where to start? Tell us about your level and budget and we will recommend competitions that suit you.
Playing chamber music as well as solo piano? Explore competitions for your chamber ensemble, or share the violin and cello competition listings with your playing partners. Our guide to the benefits of online music competitions looks at how the same savings in time, travel and stress can help the whole group.
Your next piano competition starts here
Put the pieces you have been practising to work. Choose an online piano competition, save the journey and give your music a chance to be heard — with human-written feedback generally available to help you move forward.
Enter an online piano competition