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I gotta go soon, but I have a quick question and I hope I'll wake up to a few responses ;]
Anyway, is there anyone here on TL who is really "into" classical music; as in plays it him/herself very well? I realize there are "better" places to ask, but I feel more comfortable here with you guys, so here I am.
I'm a pianist, and I'm going to give a solo concert in December (first ever) and it's going to last for an hour, and I'm really, really scared, to say the least. It's at a retirement center, but the people there evidently know what they're listening to, since the people they invite there are professional musicians or extremely talented young individuals (I've attended a concert of a girl who performed there; she recently was accepted into Julliard).
The reason I'm afraid I'm not up to standard is this: in 2009, I got honorable place in this concerto competition (there was only winner/honorable mention), which meant I got to perform a short piece as a pre-concert event for the Oakland Symphony. I practiced essentially just that piece for the weeks leading up to it, and I thought I played it quite well. I then sat down to listen to the actual concert.
To my surprise, during the intermission, a lady approached me and asked me if I would like to perform at a solo concert at her retirement home. I actually said that I would "think about it", and she was really surprised (for OBVIOUS reasons, man I was so stupid); I thought she wanted me to play really early, and I didn't have much prepared at the time.
We ended up placing the concert at December, which leaves me time to practice really, really well, because I'm absolutely sure I need to play well or I'll be thrown out by (probably) very sophisticated music-lovers.
After reading part of my life story, my question is this: have any of you guys given solo recitals/concerts before? Can you give me some advice, etc. about it? It doesn't really matter what instrument you play, but I'd really appreciate your guys' responses.
Thanks!
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I was once in a similar situation as yourself. Except I'm a cellist and it was a double concerto and at a retirement home. My second time performing the piece in front of an audience, but it's close enough.
Since you got an honourable place in a competition and were approached, I'm confident you're a very strong pianist and that you have little to worry about. First time going solo in front of any group (with varying degrees of pressure) is something you get used to over time. Once you start playing, you'll enter some sort of 'zone' and things will go swimmingly. If a slip up happens, just keep going forward.
From my experience, people at retirement homes tend to be appreciative. You're giving this performance for free right? You're donating your own time to for the entertainment of others. They cannot hold anything against you providing you try your best. I really doubt they'll throw you out or anything no matter how sophisticated they are. I'm confident they'll enjoy your performance even if it's not absolutely perfect.
Just relax and play like you normally do. I've found most of my nerves go away right after it starts. Your body kind of goes into autopilot and it'll turn out well.
Best of luck!
Edit: One extra thing. Don't forget to have fun. You're a strong pianist because you enjoy the music and playing the instrument? It'll take pressure off of you when you're playing. =)
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Don't worry about perfection. It's the emotion that counts. I haven't played a piano for an hour in front of old people, but I HAVE played trumpet solos in a marching band and in a few jazz ensembles on stage as a gig for money, so I know this from experience. The good thing about music is people remember the high points, and not the low points. So if you miss a few notes, it's fine, but just remember to really let it rip if a section calls for it. Feel free to speed up and slow down if you're just solo, I've heard that can be really effective and I always wanted to try it in a professional setting but I was restricted to tempos by playing with a band.
Anyway, just give them a few moments of real joy and thought and you'll get a good response.
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On June 25 2010 14:25 Z3kk wrote:
I gotta go soon, but I have a quick question and I hope I'll wake up to a few responses ;]
Anyway, is there anyone here on TL who is really "into" classical music; as in plays it him/herself very well? I realize there are "better" places to ask, but I feel more comfortable here with you guys, so here I am.
I'm a pianist, and I'm going to give a solo concert in December (first ever) and it's going to last for an hour, and I'm really, really scared, to say the least. It's at a retirement center, but the people there evidently know what they're listening to, since the people they invite there are professional musicians or extremely talented young individuals (I've attended a concert of a girl who performed there; she recently was accepted into Julliard).
The reason I'm afraid I'm not up to standard is this: in 2009, I got honorable place in this concerto competition (there was only winner/honorable mention), which meant I got to perform a short piece as a pre-concert event for the Oakland Symphony. I practiced essentially just that piece for the weeks leading up to it, and I thought I played it quite well. I then sat down to listen to the actual concert.
To my surprise, during the intermission, a lady approached me and asked me if I would like to perform at a solo concert at her retirement home. I actually said that I would "think about it", and she was really surprised (for OBVIOUS reasons, man I was so stupid); I thought she wanted me to play really early, and I didn't have much prepared at the time.
We ended up placing the concert at December, which leaves me time to practice really, really well, because I'm absolutely sure I need to play well or I'll be thrown out by (probably) very sophisticated music-lovers.
After reading part of my life story, my question is this: have any of you guys given solo recitals/concerts before? Can you give me some advice, etc. about it? It doesn't really matter what instrument you play, but I'd really appreciate your guys' responses.
Thanks!
I've played music in large concert halls with large bands. Trust me, you will do fine. Just don't think about anything else other then the love for the music you are playing.
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Beta blocker like the pros do for performance anxiety?
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anxiety is the dizzying nausea that accompanies freedom.
take up the challenge: prepare yourself and have confidence. whether you succeed or fail is entirely related to your mindset.
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Unfortunately my experience isn't EXACTLY what you're looking for but I did play in a 4 part jazz combo during and just out of highschool. We were a bit ahead of the curve in terms musical progression compared to our classmates. We played locally and a few times at the Hampton Jazz festival in Idaho. Definitely not a solo performance, but in a small composition there is nowhere to hide. If you screw up, you're the only trombone/baritone (what I play) on the floor and everyone knows it's you 
At first, this idea was terrifying. I was a mediocre player, but I enjoyed what I did and put my effort into it. A few others felt the same way so our teacher set us up and goaded us in the right direction. I started playing in a smaller set because I really liked what I was doing and the school music curriculum was really restraining. It seemed that other people liked what I (and my mates) were doing as well.
You sound like you have a passion for it, and I think that's the most important part. You love music and you are dedicated enough to start practicing for a recital a decent ways into the future. This woman approached YOU in particular. She heard you and liked what your sound. I think one of the most important things is to remember that the people you are performing for love music, and regardless of a few mistakes you will invariably make, they will hear the work you've put into it. Practice up and it will show ^^
I'm a fairly poor pianist, so the only other general piece of advice I can make, is avoid eye contact if at all possible. I found during performances if I was on a certain part that was so well practiced it was automatic, If I let my gaze wander and caught a glance at someone with a sour face, I couldn't focus on what I was doing and my confidence would waver.
What would feel better, receiving automatic, polite clapping from non music enthusiasts, or applause and smiles from experienced players/critics? Challenging, but feels soooo rewarding. Practice, keep calm, do your thing and all will work out. GL HF :D
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I've never played music at a competitive level, but I've played dozens of shows in the past three years between weddings(solo & with a chamber group), student symphonies, and rock concerts (I play violin and bass guitar). The best advice I'd offer is to play pieces that you are very comfortable with and smile at your own mistakes. You don't have to play the most technically difficult piece you know. In fact, if one of the pieces you're practicing isn't coming together, don't be afraid to cut it for something easier that you have performed before.
And probably the most important thing to remember - the audience isn't there to criticize you, they are there to listen to your music. If you enjoy yourself while playing the piano, the audience will enjoy it as well.
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You're a pianist so you don't have to worry about intonation (string players like myself despise you..). Just don't sweat it and work on memorization. Try picking it up at random places and playing from there. Play in front of people as often as you can. Play for your family, your friends, your neighbors, your fellow students, your dog, your fish, it doesn't matter. Give a recital every day to somebody. Also make sure you're playing through the entire repertoire every day so you are sure you have the mental and physical stamina to go on stage and burn through the whole thing. Taht's a big deal with cellists, because it's soooo physically demanding.
Good luck!
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Do share your repertoire for the concert with us. Where are you btw?
Ive given 4 solo concerts and a concerto appearance; strangely, for the solo concerts, I have not felt nervous at all but the concerto appearance made me super nervous. In any case, what i suggest is that you empty your mind as much as possible during the performance; it's going to be super difficult but that is the only way you can fight nerves, at least for me.
It is also important that your hands are very warm before you go on that stage, because it is more likely that your hands will get cold because of nerves on stage and that is likely to lead to even more frustration and anxiety. You should almost "over-warm up" so that your hands are engorged with blood.
Usually, the 5 - 15 min mark is the toughest. Once you are past that, you should be fine. Try to focus on the music extra during that time.
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Keep us posted.
Bro, you're going to kill it. Just do the work and let it speak for itself. Don't leave it to chance. You'll kill it!
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I've been playing classical piano, but switched to jazz guitar after hearing Django Reinhardt.
My advice would be to REALLY know the music. In classical music I feel that it's too easy to focus on the sheet music and finger movement, instead of the music itself. Therefore I started to sing everything I played on piano when practicing, and when I had concerts I sang the music inside of me(I also heard it with my inner ear). That made me focus on the music, and I forgot the audience.
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Best advice I can give you is to try to perform every piece on your program (preferably together) at least 1x before the concert. 2x would be better. 3x would be ideal. It doesn't need to be for a large group, even just one or two friends who you respect (and who make you a little nervous) are enough.
In general I find for myself that the first piece is like a sacrifice to the recital gods - I never know whats going to happen - but after that I can usually play as well as or better than I did in practice. People are so different when it comes to performing that you really just have to get experience and know yourself. Based on what I said above, I know that if I have a newer piece I shouldn't put it first.
Another big thing is the mental state, as other posters have mentioned. In the days before the performance I have hopefully solved all the musical and technical problems, so I tend to do a mix of playing very slowly (often with the metronome) because it relaxes me and makes me feel less worried, and also playing the first 30 seconds or so over and over again in tempo, trying to set the right tone for every piece. Something that works for me in the days leading up to the recital is to try and condense what I want to express in every piece into a few words that I can kind of repeat to myself, I find this helps me focus on communicating w/ the audience rather than any musical/technical problems I am still worried about (Because lets face it, there's always something)
I would be very curious to know what repertoire you are planning on playing - Are you auditioning for a college soon? Are you already in college studying music or something else?
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Oh yeah, that's a good idea. To put the piece you are secure in the beginning of recital.
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WHOA so many responses! ^^
Um, for my repertoire, I played the pre-concert event thing with the Scherzo No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 31 by Chopin, and I won the concerto competition with the first movement of Saint-Saens' Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22.
For the concert, I'm particularly worried because I'm still learning some songs, but the songs I'm definitely going to play are the Andante spianato et grande polonaise brillante in E-flat major, Op. 22 (Chopin), and the entire Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57 (Beethoven).
I'm still learning the former, and still learning the latter for the second and third movements. I'll be practicing like five hours a day or more over the summer (I hope), so what I'm looking to do is figure out what I'll be playing and have all of that memorized by the end of summer. When school starts again, my plan is just to polish everything.
I've had a lot of experience playing in recitals and concerts, but I've never played for an hour straight alone, so that's why I'm scared. Also, like I said, this particular retirement home isn't a bunch of old ladies with nothing to do, since they've invited (and paid) numerous world-class pianists. I have my plan though, and listening to you guys has given me more confidence! =^,T,^=
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You should mix up the repertoire by putting some less known works in there. Right now, the program is on the brink of being too generic. Although obviously if you play them well, it's nonetheless very impressive.
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On June 26 2010 01:34 phosphorylation wrote:
You should mix up the repertoire by putting some less known works in there. Right now, the program is on the brink of being too generic. Although obviously if you play them well, it's nonetheless very impressive.
+1 . Even if it's just a few smaller non virtuosic pieces.
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I'm planning on doing more obscure stuff too, but since those two pieces take up so much time, I don't think there will be much more room many other pieces. I'm also going to play "Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake--平湖秋月" and maybe La Campanella (Liszt), but yeah, I was thinking the exact same thing about the songs being too well-known and popular >~<
It's too early to say right now though, because at the moment I'm just focusing on practicing.
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dawg you're a pianist. You're a performer.
Confidence is key. No one can judge you poorly if you tried your hardest. Just do what you love
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Thanks so much for everyone's advice and support! I feel famous and/or loved :>
I'll keep you guys posted about my progress and ultimately the epic concert ;]
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EPT
