I was thirteen, playing a memorized, four-minute piece at the Dade County Auditorium. I thought that I was well-prepared, but a minute into my piece, I forgot where my hands were supposed to go!
Uh-oh. I took my hands off the keyboard, which obviously stopped the music. There was dead silence. I clenched my fists, took a deep breath, started the piece again from the top, and finished it beautifully. It is one recital that I will never forget.
Funny, I’ve forgotten the recitals in which I didn’t make major mistakes!
Now that I’ve shared my “performance fail,” I’d like to share some tips to help you have a successful music recital:
- Be prepared. Know your piece very well. Practice, practice, practice, and repeat. You should be able to start the piece from any measure.
- Show up to the recital venue early. Fix any hair or wardrobe malfunctions. Chit chat with other performers. This will calm your nerves.
- Sit on your hands. Yes, sit on them to keep them warm. The air conditioning keeps the air cool and dry, causing your fingers to be cold when you approach the piano. For the time that the student performer is playing before you (3-5 minutes), do what you can to keep those fingers warm.
- Remember that the audience can’t tell the difference. Most people are not trained in music and don’t know what your piece is supposed to sound like. If you flub or skip a part or repeat a part, just keep going. They love it anyway.
Before your recital, play for your friends and family on as many pianos as you can. Call retirement homes and ask if they have pianos in their recreation rooms that you can play. The residents will love you for it and don’t mind mistakes and repeated pieces. The only way to learn to perform is to perform.
Above all, don’t forget that all the great performers were once students just like you.
Break a leg!
