4 performance advice articles for adult pianists

Very few things in life prepare one for the experience of performing the piano in public. Even when our music is learned well, the presence of an audience changes how we hear and experience what we’re playing and can derail our performance. The frustrating thing is that learning how to play for an audience is a skill that’s learned through the doing of it. The good thing is that there are steps we can take to make the transition to public playing easier.

The 4 articles I’ve featured in this post offer real-life advice on how to prepare to play publicly. They cover topics such as choosing music for performances, how to prepare for and manage yourself through a public performance, how to act on stage, and (if you have no interest in a formal performance) several non-recital ways to share your music with other people. Each article springs from my own career as both a performer and an instructor and feature advice that has worked well for me as well as for students.

Recital Programming: how not to bore your audience

Great public performance start with choosing the right repertoire. This article explores what makes for an interesting piano recital—one that audiences will appreciate.

18 Performance Prep Tips for Pianists

From ideas on how to practice to real-life tips on everything from nutrition to clothing to managing energy and emotions, this article is the nuts-and-bolts list of getting through all the stages of a public performance.

Stage Presence Tips for Pianists

Performing pianists are entertainers and the best ones know how to present a professional image before they even play a note. If you’ve wondered how to act on stage, this article is for you.

6 Non-Recital Performance Ideas for Adult Pianists

So, you have no interest in playing in a formal recital but still yearn to share your music with others? Here are some ideas on how to do this.

Some final notes

It’s best to approach performing with curiosity and an eagerness to learn. It also helps if we walk away from perfectionism and think of offering our music to others as a gift, not a test of our worth as pianists. That’s how most listeners receive what they hear. They remember how the music made them feel, not whether each note was perfect. Remembering this helps us relax and play with more confidence.

Photo by Lulu Wu, courtesy of UpSplash