For students who’ve taken an interest in playing the piano, few things are as exciting as your first real recital. After all, this is your moment to finally get up on stage and show everyone what you can do. However, this event can also be just as nerve-wracking and even make you feel as though your anxiety will get the better of you at the worst possible time. Fortunately, one of the best ways to ease your worries is to ensure you’re as prepared as possible. So, use these preparation tips for your first piano recital to make your musical debut a night you’ll always remember.
Familiarize Yourself With the Logistics of the Event
Whether it’s the time of the dress rehearsal, where the show will be, or even what you’re wearing, knowing these things is crucial to staying organized in the days leading up to the big event. Each detail will allow you to cater your preparation efforts specifically to the performance and make sure everything’s ready to go the day of the event. This knowledge will also help you plan out how long it’ll take to get to the recital and what you can do to keep yourself from running late.
Ensure Your Piano Is Performance-Ready
If you’re going to be performing with your own piano, it’s also important that you spend some time getting it into proper playing condition. Pianos, especially acoustic pianos, need to be properly cleaned and tuned before you can use them on stage. Otherwise, it may end up sounding so out of tune that it’s impossible to play. For this reason, we recommend that you research how to care for your piano and spend some time taking the proper steps.
Put on a Mock-Recital for Your Family
For those who feel particularly nervous as the day of the show approaches, another preparation tip for your first piano recital to consider is to put on a mock-performance. This practice allows you to work out all your pre-recital jitters by playing in front of a smaller audience first. Plus, by filling that select group with close friends and family, you’re sure to get useful feedback that you can use on stage.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep and Keep Snacks On-Hand
Most importantly, make sure you’re getting enough sleep the night before the show and that you’re carrying around enough food and drinks. If you’re feeling groggy and low on energy, it will certainly show during your performance. Because of this, it’s vital that you take proper care of yourself. It’s recommended that you get at least eight hours of rest the night before the recital and that you store some snacks backstage to keep yourself full.