Music Performance Tips

With my students' recital approaching this Friday, I wanted to share some tips with them on successful performance methods. This list varies from other lists because I have written it from a Christian perspective, and as a culmination of many performances I have had through the years. I also consulted the wonderful "Coping with Music Performance Anxiety" article by the University of Winsconsin-Eau Claire¹
Here are just a few tips that have aided me through my years as a pianist. Any teacher is welcome to use them, change them up, print them off, and pass them out.

1. Understand your purpose for performing
When you understand that your performance is not for the purpose of reflecting glory on yourself, this puts everything in a completely different perspective. Suddenly the pressure and the focus is not spotlighted on you, but shifted upward. When you realize your performance is for God, this will completely change the way you feel about performing. Embracing this purpose is the ultimate radiating factor to a Christian musician, and paves the way to performing successfully and fruitfully.
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." -1 Cor. 10:31


2. Understand Stage Fright
You can play less than perfectly, and still give a good performance. We all have nerves that act up at the wrong times and get in the way of everything. Audiences are very forgiving of a few missed notes and shaky hands. As long as you play with passion and dedication, your fervor will radiate to the audience and reveal something special to them. Remember that mastering stage fright is not about "getting over" nerves, but rather learning how to handle them in a proper fashion.


3. Prepare Beforehand

• Look for opportunities for exposure to mild to moderate levels of stress that challenge but do not overwhelm your coping skills, example: visualization of the performance and the crowd, practice performances, dress rehearsals, taping yourself and playing back, playing before family and friends. 
• Remember, most performers have to contend with anxiety—it comes with the territory. You’re in good company! Don't focus too much on the inevitable fact of nerves and anxiety. 
• Do not spend hours at the piano the evening just before a performance, or the actual day of the performance.  Focus more on getting rested, and getting your mind calmly adjusting to the goal at hand.
• Pray! Before each performance, ask the Lord sincerely to calm your nerves and help you pray your best. There is no underestimating the power of giving your anxiety into the hands of God.

4. Stay Calm During Recital

• Act calmly, even if you feel nervous. The more you dwell on anxiety, the more you are likely to remain preoccupied with it.
• Try to overlook minor errors when you perform. Overall impressions are more important to the audience than note-perfect performances.
• Rather than blocking out the audience, try seeing them as allies who are generally supportive and want you to do well.
• Consider performing as an opportunity by becoming immersed in the musical experience. If you are fully immersed in the music, your awareness of the audience will become dim.

5. Dedicate your Performance to God


Many people tend to separate sacred and secular music performance in this way: secular music is for the audience, and shows off your skill, whereas sacred music is for God, to bring glory to Him. Because of this attitude, recital is generally not seen as a time of praise to God. It's a time to promote your hard work, your playing, and your improvement since last semester. Church is for the God-stuff. Recital is for You-stuff. 
This is the incorrect thought process to have about recital. Whether you are playing a Bach invention, a Chopin Polonaise, or an old hymn, you are representing the Lord. You are representing Him through your heart-attitude, decorum, hard work, determination, sticktuitiveness, and loyalty to the tasks you've been given throughout the semester.
All music should be dedicated to the Lord, no matter what the piece happens to be. Before you perform, dedicate your music to God. Ask Him to bless it, and to strengthen your hands to play it the way He'd desire it to be played. Falling back on God will never result in failure. Even if you do not perform the way you had hoped, knowing that His guidance was with you will give you a deep peace you never could have had were it all up to you. 


Verses of reassurance and trust:


Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with 
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, 
which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in 
Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7


Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own 
understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make 
straight your paths. Prov. 3:6-7


Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. Prov. 16:3


Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7




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¹Resource: Coping with Music Performance and Anxiety
http://www.uwec.edu/Counsel/pubs/musicanxiety.htm