5 Top Tips for Performing

By Melanie Spanswick

Why should we perform? 

Many of us merely want to play the piano in private just for fun and most crucially, to ourselves. So when someone suggests a possible performance, whether in a formal or informal setting, we can feel terrified. What if we make a mistake? What if we embarrass ourselves? Surely it would be safer to keep our hobby under wraps?

It would. But here’s the thing: we can learn so much from being brave and playing for others. Performing will provide a much needed boost to our sense of musical self. It will help develop our technical grasp, it benefits our sense of commitment and motivation, and show us what we are truly capable of in the heat of the moment. In short, it stretches us. How can we find opportunities to share our music in safe space? Here are a few ideas:

 

1 To prepare yourself for a performance it can help to become accustomed to playing through a piece from beginning to end fluently.

Start this process by making a recording. Use your phone to record yourself and play your piece slowly all the way through. It can be stressful recording to begin with therefore set a slow pulse and only increase it when confident. You may need to record your playing many times to become comfortable with the process and to be pleased with the result.

 

2 If you find that you cannot play your chosen piece from start to finish without hesitations, prepare a simpler piece.

In fact, if it’s the first time that you’ve performed, aim to offer a piece well below your current level so that you can give a clean performance instilling confidence. Always listen carefully to the playback as this can be surprisingly helpful, allowing you to become your own teacher.

 

3 Once you can play your piece securely whilst recording it, next play the piece in a ‘live’ but personal setting.

Try to play your own instrument so that it feels familiar, and offer to play the piece to a close relative or friend. You could even start by playing to your pet. These impromptu performances should feel relaxed and will test how well you ‘know’ your piece, making sure that you are performance ‘ready’.

 

4 Now is the time to look further afield. One suggestion is to join my Facebook Group – Adult Piano Returners – a very supportive group where you can discuss everything piano in a safe space. Members upload their recordings every week receiving sympathetic feedback. We currently have over 35,000 members. Another option is to find a piano community where you live. Are there piano meet-up groups which you can join? If not, start one. It could be online or live. A regular group such as this will demand performances which, whilst stressful, will provide you with much needed practice.

 

5 Finally, why not engage in a piano course or summer school? There are many throughout the UK and abroad especially intended for adult amateur players. They will benefit your playing, your social life, and will open your eyes to a wide variety of new repertoire, musical possibilities, and hopefully offer helpful feedback.

Melanie Spanswick