How do you minimize random errors before performances?

[ranjit]

Is there a good way to increase accuracy and minimize random errors in the final weeks leading up to a performance? When learning a piece, I would tend to play through a few measures, perfecting them, but that is more in the realm of making changes than ensuring accuracy and might be counterproductive. When I try to perform, it's usually not bad, but I know people who perform almost note perfect and I have no idea how they do that.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

IMO you’re worried about the wrong thing.  Most people don’t perform note perfect.  You just get good at faking and hiding stuff.

Focusing on  big picture and INTENT changes the type of “errors” you make and gives the illusion that you’re playing note perfect when you’re really not.

[lelle]

In the week leading up to a performance I used to practise slowly most of the time, and focus on spots I knew needed the most work to maintain. The piece and interpretation should be well prepared well before the last week, so the last practise should be focused on tightening and maintaining rather than playing through. IMO.

[essence]

Isn't one of the issues nerves? The effect of this can differ a lot between performers.

I find it quite unnerving how much the hands and fingers shake when the camera focus in on performers.

I also find the same watching snooker - even the top players like Trump and Selby, their hands and indeed faces are shaking. O'Sullivan not so much.

One mistake can lead to a mental collapse if inexperienced. It has happened to me more times than I like, when performing organ voluntaries - one incorrect pedal note and my legs go all wonky.

I remember my ARCO exam (failed) when the first pedal entry was wrong I was so nervous. Lesson - put your foot on the correct note at  the start!

[lelle]

Isn't one of the issues nerves? The effect of this can differ a lot between performers.

I find it quite unnerving how much the hands and fingers shake when the camera focus in on performers.

I also find the same watching snooker - even the top players like Trump and Selby, their hands and indeed faces are shaking. O'Sullivan not so much.

One mistake can lead to a mental collapse if inexperienced. It has happened to me more times than I like, when performing organ voluntaries - one incorrect pedal note and my legs go all wonky.

I remember my ARCO exam (failed) when the first pedal entry was wrong I was so nervous. Lesson - put your foot on the correct note at  the start!

Indeed. Nerves, confidence and adequate preparation correlate, but you may suffer a lot from nerves, even with adequate preparation, if you lack confidence. I'm of the opinion that nearly every musician needs to be in therapy at some point in their life lol.

[dnak441]

Perfecting has to be finished a month or two before a big performance, like a competition. To increase accuracy on the day, you shouldn't play the piece at full speed the days before (unless it's to test the instrument you will be performing on and only in small chunks). To warm up, play the piece at half tempo or slower without missing a single note, articulation, dynamic, etc... Only play at performance tempo AT THE PERFORMANCE.

Trust me, the difference is remarkable.

[anacrusis]

I agree the piece should be finished at least a month before the performance, so that the work in the month leading up is just maintenance or slight polishing, not fixing major issues.

[myx0606gudj]

Slow practice is key, I believe

[tiramisubito]

Knowing possible reasons for random errors might make it easier to figure how to minimize them.

I would think often times its the nerves? Sometimes from overthinking and less mindful practicing which tends to happen to me as a result of the nerves (from the thought of performing) and then I would spend time preparing away from the piano which forces me to only concentrate on the musical content

[psychologygrove]

Is there a good way to increase accuracy and minimize random errors in the final weeks leading up to a performance? When learning a piece, I would tend to play through a few measures, perfecting them, but that is more in the realm of making changes than ensuring accuracy and might be counterproductive. When I try to perform, Geometry Dash it's usually not bad, but I know people who perform almost note perfect and I have no idea how they do that.

For me, in the last few weeks I focus more on full run-throughs instead of fixing small sections. It helps build consistency and performance focus. I also practice slower tempos and start from random spots in the piece to make the memory more solid. It doesn’t eliminate every slip, but it definitely reduces random errors.

[pianopro181]

Is there a good way to increase accuracy and minimize random errors in the final weeks leading up to a performance? When learning a piece, I would tend to play through a few measures, perfecting them, but that is more in the realm of making changes than ensuring accuracy and might be counterproductive. When I try to perform, it's usually not bad, but I know people who perform almost note perfect and I have no idea how they do that.

That’s the key word, ‘almost’ perfect. So even at that level of preparation there are still imperfections.

The better you get at piano the more narrow errors become but they’re still errors just at a much higher level and everybody does them.

The key is to keep performing and working hard with a good teacher, don’t force anything and the techniques will develop naturally through passage work.

In terms of technical prep soon before a recital, lots of things work, but I personally find practicing in rhythms exceeding helpful as they help connect the dots and conceptualize the structure leading to an overall stronger and more controlled execution. You must ensure you play them properly and clearly though (as in metronomically) to get the full benefits. You can mainly stick to dotted but others can also help too.

Best of luck to you! 

[essence]

Maybe the aim should be to communicate, not to be note perfect?