Preparing to Perform

In preparation for the end of year student recital, I have been coaching those choosing to perform about the aspects of performing a song instead of just playing a song. The differences are pretty significant and require a different mindset from our usual practice.

To be able to perform well, we need to take into account the following

• We will not play as well as at home – At best, we can only expect to play at 80% of our playing standard, any songs we perform, we need to know very well
• We may play faster due to adrenaline – We have to practice any material faster than we intend to perform to allow us not to be under technical pressure
• The lighting will be poor – Too Dark, Bright light shining in our face, and possible strobe effects all prevent us from seeing our hands. It will be advantageous to practice with eyes closed
• We WILL make mistakes – This is a certainty! How we react to making mistakes is critical. We have to practice making mistakes and recovering from them. When playing at home, we get used to stopping and trying that part again. During a performance, the music will continue. We have no opportunity to attempt the part again if we get it wrong.
• Keeping time with others – Keeping time with other musicians or backing track is a very challenging task. We have to concentrate on their music and where they are while playing our part in time with them. Everyone can do this, as long as we keep playing along to music when practising. There is a great temptation to stop the music when making mistakes to try and correct what we are doing, and this hinders our progress to performing to an audience

On top of all that, we have the essential physical aspects of performance. We need to create a show for our audience.
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More on that another time, have fun