| When it comes to taking piano lessons most students | | | | important and time-sensitive goal: getting ready for |
| perform in recitals at one time or another. | | | | your recital. |
| Whether you are a seasonal recital performer or are | | | | Practice all of your recital pieces every single day |
| facing your debut appearance, you probably have | | | | |
| questions, concerns and a few butterflies too. | | | | 1. Always practice the selections in the order that you |
| Whether you plan to take center stage or simply want | | | | will be playing them in the recital. |
| to feel a sense of satisfaction for song playing | | | | 2. Practice each piece several times before going on |
| success, you will need to develop a strategy. | | | | to the next one (including extra practice on problem |
| In his book, Eat That Frog! 21 Ways to Overcome | | | | areas). |
| Procrastination and Get More Done in Less Time, Brian | | | | Listen to recordings of your pieces by top |
| Tracy refers to the six "P" formula which says: | | | | professionals. |
| Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance. | | | | |
| But how can you do this? Where do you begin? | | | | 1. You will become inspired, motivated, energized and |
| Feeling confused or even stuck? | | | | enthusiastic every time you hear how terrific your |
| By using the following checklist, you can unlock the | | | | song can sound like when played with expertise. |
| door to a great recital performance. | | | | 2. Take your MP3 player or iPod with you and make |
| Here is your Piano Recital Checklist: | | | | your songs your companions. |
| 12 secrets to help you make your performance a | | | | 3. Download a variety of versions of your piece(s), |
| huge success | | | | because each performance will offer you something |
| | | | special. |
| 1. Start preparing early. | | | | Record yourself playing your pieces and listen to them. |
| 2. Think of the fable of the tortoise and the hare, and | | | | |
| remember the moral of the story: slow steady | | | | 1. Record and listen to your run-throughs a couple of |
| progress wins the race every time. | | | | times per week. |
| 3. Find the balance between getting started too early | | | | 2. Save the recordings and listen to the previous ones |
| (which can cause boredom) and last minute cramming | | | | so you can hear your progress. |
| (which never works). | | | | Play your recital pieces for family and friends. |
| Select your music carefully - use many factors to | | | | |
| decide. | | | | 1. Take the opportunity to "perform" as often as |
| | | | possible. |
| 1. Do you really like and enjoy playing your recital | | | | 2. Play your pieces on as many different pianos and |
| piece? | | | | keyboards as possible. This will help you to adjust your |
| 2. Have you already spent time learning the music? | | | | touch quickly as well as build your confidence. |
| 3. Can you discuss your choices with your teacher? | | | | Read inspirational material and/or listen to podcasts by |
| 4. Do you feel comfortable with the level of difficulty? | | | | motivational speakers. |
| Follow this rule of thumb: select something easier than | | | | |
| your current learning level so that you can "master" the | | | | 1. Sometimes you just need to be reminded of the |
| piece rather than "stretching your limits" just to get | | | | potential that you have within you. By reading or |
| through it. | | | | listening to uplifting and inspiring messages you'll stay |
| Study the musical details of your recital piece(s). | | | | motivated to keep going when the going gets rough. |
| | | | Spend some time every day visualizing yourself |
| 1. Look at the form and structure of the song to help | | | | performing your recital selections beautifully, |
| you feel more confident as you play with continuity | | | | effortlessly and enthusiastically. |
| from beginning to end. | | | | |
| 2. Pay attention to the dynamics, articulation and | | | | 1. By imagining yourself in positive way on a regular |
| musical expression marks. These guides will help you | | | | basis, your piano playing performance will be more |
| present a more powerful and moving performance. | | | | powerful. |
| 3. Take note of the tempo and meter so that you can | | | | 2. The greatest Olympic athletes use this technique to |
| learn to play your piece evenly and smoothly at the | | | | help them win the Gold. So can you! |
| proper speed. | | | | Action Exercises |
| Set up your practice time-table. | | | | Here are three things you can do immediately to put |
| | | | these ideas into action. |
| 1. Start with the performance date and plan | | | | First, get ready immediately, avoid procrastination and |
| backwards. | | | | follow these checklist items: |
| 2. Take difficult sections of your piece(s) and work on | | | | (1) start by preparing early, (2)select your pieces |
| them early and consistently. | | | | carefully, (3) study the details of each musical selection |
| 3. Set some target dates for reaching certain short | | | | and (4) set up your practice time-table. |
| term playing goals so that by the time the recital | | | | Second, move into action by (5) making your practice |
| arrives, you've mastered the complete piece(s). | | | | spot a place of inspiration (6) organizing your musical |
| Make sure your practice spot propels your progress. | | | | materials so that they can save you valuable time and |
| | | | energy and (7) committing to practicing your recital |
| 1. Carefully assess the place where you practice to | | | | pieces every single day (even if you only have five |
| make sure that feels inviting to you. This one factor | | | | minutes to invest). |
| can encourage or discourage you tremendously. | | | | Third, follow the example of the pros by (8) listening to |
| 2. Make sure your piano is in tune and that you have | | | | great performances of your songs, |
| the proper lighting. | | | | (9) recording and reviewing your run-throughs a couple |
| 3. Be sure that it is free of distractions such as TV, | | | | of times per week, (10) performing |
| video games and computers. | | | | "mini-recitals" for family and friends, (11) reading |
| Organize your recital music as soon as possible. | | | | inspirational material and (12) visualizing your actual |
| | | | recital performance until you can "see" and "hear" your |
| 1. Photocopy and put all of your recital pieces into a | | | | piano playing success. |
| loose-leaf to be used just for your recital performance | | | | When you apply the 12 Secrets of the Piano Recital |
| 2. If you use piano books, open your books to the | | | | Checklist, you'll be amazed by your successful recital |
| correct pages and place one behind the other. Note: | | | | performance. |
| Doing this will make it easier to focus on your most | | | | |