Hello all. = )

[laurensherrell]

I used to have a membership here, back when the whole thing was free..  But I have now just re-instated my membership because I would like some feedback from some pianists. 
I'm giving my senior piano recital in two days.  I feel relatively well prepared for the thing..  I've practiced around 25 hours a week for months and well, I feel pretty good about it.  My program is as follows:

Bach English Suite No. II in A minor
Beethoven Walstein
Chopin Ballade No. IV, f minor
Prokofiev Visions Fugitives (selections)

Any comments or suggestions on what is appropriate practice methods for these last crucial days AS WELL as mental, emotional (haha) and psychological preparation would be terribly appreciated. 
THANKS LOADS!

[teresa_b]

Hi Lauren,

Your recital sounds heavenly.   

I just did Beethoven PC no 4, Chamber Version, on Sunday.  I don't have any magical answers for that last couple of days, but here are a few ideas:

Play your pieces but don't overwork them at this point.   You've got them. 

When you feel that edgy nervous sensation, remember how well prepared you really are!  And NO ONE else in that audience can play this recital at this moment but YOU.  (Also, no one except a pianist would know if you made a mistake here or there--and a pianist would sympathize because he/she feels the same way.)

WHY are you even doing this?  Because you love the piano and you love to make music.  So you are getting a chance to share this with others--it would defeat your whole purpose to NOT enjoy it. (Right?  )  So have a good time!

Allow your facial expressions, body movements, etc, to flow right along with the music--don't try to "look" any certain way or do anything unnatural to you during your playing. 

BE the music, as my teacher used to say.

Have fun!
Teresa

[Bob]

Practice performing.  Expect to perform like you practiced, or maybe a little better.  Relax and have fun with it.

[prongated]

...I played through my pieces slowly with metronome, making sure I have/know all the right notes and making sure I know what my base rhythms are. I didn't eat much on the day of the concert. I got lots of sleep the night before the concert. I constantly practised/processed different sections of the pieces in my head most of the time. I'd also record myself playing the whole program to give me feedback on how I am playing. This is ideally at least 1 week before the performance.


...different people have different regimes on the lead-up to a concert. There are those who would practise for 4 hours or more right before the concert, and there are those who'd rather relax and/or not touch the piano at all. Some people also like to nap before the concert. I always wash my face right before I get on stage.

Then again, if you are playing that kind of program (and for a senior piano recital), I think you've known all that and you've worked out some things you'd do in the lead-up to such performance.

I concur - great program! If this is in my hometown, I'd definitely go watch. Good luck!