The Piano Guide Review

Performing in a Recital for an Audience by Georgia Zoe Schohl

Q. How do you play for an audience? My first recital is coming up, and I want to be prepared. I am a returning adult student who will be playing in a small recital with other adult students. Does the piece I select for the performance really make a difference?

TW , email

A. First of all, discuss with your teacher any ideas you might have about a possible recital piece. Your instructor may have some ideas that would suit your ability and entertain the audience at the same time. Often some students choose the same predictable recital pieces every year, which may seem boring to some members of the audience. What style of music do you like and what style of music you perform well? Your teacher as well as family and friends may offer some surprising and revealing ideas. One thing I can tell you: no matter what skill level you are, the audience wants to be entertained at a recital. This means that you must show that you really like the piece you are performing: show some emotion, dynamics, and try to connect with the piece. And communicate your connection with the music to the audience.

How do you prepare for a recital? No matter how big a recital is for a student, it can seem daunting and intimidating to perform for an audience.   If you are a bit nervous, try preparing for the recital setting by performing informally in front of family and/or friends on your piano and on other pianos. You can get used to the different actions of several pianos by performing you pieces, as you will be playing on a different piano in a recital situation.

You can ask your teacher if you can “run through” your pieces on the piano where the students will be playing. You might want to come early before the performance and play your pieces several times if there is time to do so.   Just playing the piano before the recital will help increase your confidence level as well as ease your nerves. It doesn’t hurt to ask permission from your teacher to try the piano and play your recital piece.
In a recital situation, students often make mistakes due to nerves or forgetting some of the music (if playing by memory).

A student should not show any expression on their face showing they are upset at making a mistake or two—as most if not all people in the audience will not notice or will not care.   Just keep on playing and you will probably get back on track with your piece.

Truthfully, most people admire someone who can walk up to a piano and is bold enough to perform some music in front of an audience.   Each time you perform in front of others, you will find that your confidence level will slowly increase and you will actually begin to enjoy performing in front of an audience. People love to see a musician enjoy what they are doing, especially if you are performing a piece that they like. Keep practicing and believe in yourself.