Practice, Practice, Practice!
Rehearsal: November 15 | Recital: November 17
Our rehearsal is coming up on November 15, followed by our recital on November
17, and there is one thing I want all our performers to remember: practice, practice, practice - every single day!
“But I already know my piece!” you might say. Wonderful! Now we need to keep it
fresh. Even when a piece is memorized and feels comfortable, it still needs daily
attention. This applies to everyone preparing to perform, from our youngest beginners
to our experienced students.
Parents, you can make a lovely difference. Help your child find a regular practice time,
offer a gentle reminder, or come to the piano and listen. You don’t need to be a
musician to be an encouraging audience.
You can also arrange a little recital at home. Gather the family, invite a friend, or line up
some favorite stuffies. Stuffed animals make wonderfully patient listeners! Give your
child a chance to practice the entire experience, from walking up to the piano to taking
that final bow.
Here is our home recital routine:
Walk calmly to the piano. Take your time - you have the audience’s attention.
Introduce yourself and your piece. Speak clearly: “My name is ___, and I’m going
to play ___.”
Sit down and get comfortable. Check your position on the bench and find your
starting place.
Take a quiet moment. Let the busy thoughts and feelings settle. Take an easy
breath, think about how your music begins, and focus on your piece.
Play your piece. Listen to the music you are making, all the way through the final
note.
Finish without rushing. Let the last sound fade, then stand up, face your
audience, and take a bow.
Walk calmly away from the piano. Your performance is complete - enjoy the
applause!
During everyday practice, give the tricky spots some special attention. Slow down, work
on a small section, and use the suggestions from your lesson. Remember to listen for a
steady rhythm, clear notes, and the changes between soft and loud that help your music
tell its story.
Then have a separate performance practice: play from beginning to end, continuing as
smoothly as you can if a little mistake happens. Learning to carry on is part of
preparing, too.
Parents, save comments until the performance is finished, and begin with something
you enjoyed. “I loved your gentle ending” or “You kept going so calmly” gives your child
something specific to feel proud of.
Our recital is a chance to share what we have learned and celebrate everyone’s
progress. A little thoughtful preparation every day helps us arrive ready to enjoy that
moment.
And until then, you know what Camille says: practice, practice, practice!
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