How to Prepare for the Recital

Here's how to prepare for our upcoming recital (and lots of other things).

  1. Memorize! Make sure you memorize things like dynamics, too. Internalize the details.

  2. Connect to the heart of the piece. Make artistic choices. What is this piece about?

  3. Perform it in low-pressure situations before the big day. Then ramp it up.

Between memorization and recital day, perform your pieces for family and friends as often as possible. Start small. First, perform in your homes for a small audience. Then, perform for others away from your normal rehearsal spaces. Play for grandparents, friends, neighbors, and whoever else will let you come over and perform.

Performing will give you insights that you cannot get from rehearsals alone. You will be able to see how your body reacts to the pressure. Maybe you'll get sweaty or feel like giggling or have some uncomfortable combination of trembling, dizziness, or being weirdly emotional. It's hard to predict, but you'll be able to deal with this business much more effectively if you've performed your pieces before recital day — you know, practice performing. So call your grandmas and set a performance appointment. It'll help.

Once you've memorized, brought out the art, and performed in various places, you will have nothing left to do but enjoy the recital.