warming up before a performance?

[jon]

Hey, in about a week I am going to enter a piano competition and i need to know what are the best ways to warm up right before a performance.I am playing the wilde jagd and I was wondering what are some tips, maybe even specificly for this piece.Lets say i have about 45 minutes to warm up,should I practice the whole piece slowly,hands separatley,practice the hardest passages?Right before I perform would it be wise to play the whole piece up to speed, or slowly but accurately?Any advice would be appreciated.

[Tash]

personally, i don't like to practice my pieces the day i'm performing them, maybe not even the day before, cos anything i do just before that is a mistake, i'll do it in the performance, eg. i was practicing before an exam at school, and my friend walked in on my playing and i messed that little bit up, and then in the performance i messed it up too.

some people may disagree with me, but i like to warm up with my good ol scales and hanon, just so my hands are moving and won't be stiff at all. if you're going to play any pieces at all, then choose ones you won't be playing for the performance, studies would be good i guess.

but if you're anything like me i'd recommend not practicing your pieces beforehand

[nick]

I found that after working out with weights, when I went to practice, I was just about all warmed up! Since blood flowed throughout the whole body, including fingers, within 5 minutes I was at peak performance. Personally, I feel most comfortable on day of performance practicing the tough spots as I do any practice day. I may not play up to tempo though.

Nick

[krittyot]

Artur Rubinstein practiced Chopin's op.10, no.2 shortly before giving a recital.

[BoliverAllmon]

I read somewhere that one should play chopin etude 10/4 6 times for warm-up every day. I don't remember who said, but it was in the cover of Perrahia Chop/et CD

[donjuan]

I think playing the whole thing up to speed JUST BEFORE the actual performance isnt a good idea because you may be emotionally and physically exhausted (especially with a piece like Liszt Transcendental Etude No.8!!!).  Relax, have a hot drink (if available), warmup with pieces like Chopin's minute waltz or Liszt's prelude to the transcendental etudes.  Dont play RIGHT before the performance.. relax for a halfhour or so.
donjuan

[Ludwig Van Rachabji]

I think playing the whole thing up to speed JUST BEFORE the actual performance isnt a good idea because you may be emotionally and physically exhausted (especially with a piece like Liszt Transcendental Etude No.8!!!).  Relax, have a hot drink (if available), warmup with pieces like Chopin's minute waltz or Liszt's prelude to the transcendental etudes.  Dont play RIGHT before the performance.. relax for a halfhour or so.
donjuan

I agree.

[molto_vivace]

I'm always playing the first two transcendental etudes! starting with a moderate tempo, stepping up to the original speed. it works perfectly for the liszt etudes.

but what about playing one of your favourite pieces (to get this feeling, being one with the piano)?

[jon]

Thanks for your replys.Yes, donjuan now now I see it probably would not be the smartest thing to play the wilde jagd right before I perform,I just got done playing it around 15 minutes ago and i'm still exhausted from playing it.Anymore tips such as playing some of my favorite pieces or anything else would be appreciated.

[BoliverAllmon]

God says you shouldn't be tired. you should be able to play this time after time. you must be doing something wrong and therefore are completely void of knowledge.

[anda]

i prefer chopin etudes op.10 for warming up - as many as i have time - played at about 2/3-3/4 tempo (not in tempo), and then playing the works at half-tempo. this helps me.

lipatti used to play his whole recital at half-tempo before any recital he had.

[shasta]

Morning Before: I play through everything once as if it were the real competition/concert

Evening Before: I go out to dinner/movies/party --- nothing piano-related.

Day Of: I do nothing piano-related.

Minutes Before - Test Real Piano: I test out the piano, keys, pedal, bench... (if allowed) with a few opening bars of each piece.

Minutes Before - Warm-Up on Different Piano): I blast through things TOTALLY not related to my competition/concert --- usually a few Joplin rags to get really pumped.

Real Deal: Have fun!

[bernhard]

Morning Before: I play through everything once as if it were the real competition/concert

Evening Before: I go out to dinner/movies/party --- nothing piano-related.

Day Of: I do nothing piano-related.

Minutes Before - Test Real Piano: I test out the piano, keys, pedal, bench... (if allowed) with a few opening bars of each piece.

Minutes Before - Warm-Up on Different Piano): I blast through things TOTALLY not related to my competition/concert --- usually a few Joplin rags to get really pumped.

Real Deal: Have fun!

This is the best advice I read so far.

One should never play the recital pieces on the day of the recital.

In his online book Chang gives a very good explanation why this should be. Read it those of you who want more details.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[nick]

Morning Before: I play through everything once as if it were the real competition/concert



Day Of: I do nothing piano-related.

Minutes Before - Test Real Piano: I test out the piano, keys, pedal, bench... (if allowed) with a few opening bars of each piece.

Minutes Before - Warm-Up on Different Piano): I blast through things TOTALLY not related to my competition/concert --- usually a few Joplin rags to get really pumped.

Real Deal: Have fun!

I prefer to go over the piece at medium tempo, focusing on the tougher spots. Just feel more comfortable. Not related, but does can someone tell me if by half tempo that means half of what the final speed is,so if 130 is the performance speed, it would be 65?

Nick