Preparing for a musical performance, whether instrumental or vocal, can be a daunting task. Not only do you have to know your performance piece perfectly, you need to have your nerves under control and be well rehearsed in the performance aspects of your piece, not only the technique and skill you require.
So how do you prepare for a musical performance? First, true preparation begins long before you even know you are going to perform. It involves the discipline of practicing the basics. Instrumental or vocal exercises and scales are a part of performance preparation that you cannot ignore. No matter how successful you become, you will still have to practice the basics.
If you are a performing as a part of an orchestra, choir or for a music exam you will probably not have a choice in what you perform. However, if you are performing as an individual you may well be able to choose your own music or song. If this is the case, your choice can play a big part in how your performance is accepted. Make sure your selection suits your voice and the tone of the evening. Don't choose heavy rock if the evening is classical. Get advice from people who have experience in performance and give them a few alternatives.
Once you know what composition or song you will be performing, you will also need to practice it. Some sections of the music will be more demanding than others and will need to be practiced more often. It can be very daunting trying to learn a new song or a new score as a complete piece. The learning process can be made easier if it is broken up into manageable chunks. However, you have to manage your time effectively for this to work well. Design a schedule that will allow you enough time after learning the piece it in its entirety as many times as necessary.
Often, the process of preparing for a musical performance can be eased by listening to someone else play or sing your selection. This is often discouraged by music and singing teachers as it can interfere with your own interpretation. However, if you listen to a number of different performances you can benefit from hearing the different nuances of others performances as well as gaining an insight into how you might approach your own performance.
If you will be accompanied by a pianist, try to get some practice time in with the accompanist. This is very valuable because how you work with an accompanist can be a function of both your experience and their experience. Don't trust that all pianists are equally experienced in responding to what a performer is doing. Be proactive and do what you can to practice with the same accompanist who will be performing with you.
An often unrecognized aspect of preparing to perform is that of physical, mental and emotional health. Performing can be very stressful and during the preparation period musicians and vocalists may be tempted to practice at the expense of diet, exercise and sleep. This is a mistake. You will be better served by taking care of your health and managing the preparation period wisely.
If nerves are a particular problem, avoid stimulants such as caffeine. Bach flower remedies, particularly Rescue Remedy, can be helpful in alleviating performance anxiety. Exposing yourself to a wide range of audiences by performing under different circumstances, receiving and responding to feedback, can help you get your nerves under control through practice. You will probably not get rid of them completely, but learning to manage them will aid you significantly in your major performance. If you want to become a good performer, you need to take every opportunity to perform. Don't just limit yourself to major events, be proactive and organize to sing at a range of venues in order to improve your performance presentation.
You've heard the story of the tortoise and the hare. If you manage your performance preparation like the tortoise, steady as she goes, instead of magnificent initial showing like the hare then burning yourself out, you will have the best chance of being well prepared for your musical performance.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
What hillsong united/hillsong album is the enemy ...
By: justbeingME | 12-07-2008
what hillsong united/hillsong album is the enemy has been defeated on?
Dan Moore's Jungle Fever CD
By: Debi | 12-07-2008
I am trying to find the CD Jungle Fever by Dan Moore. Can't seem to find it online. Any ideas?
I'm trying to find the song Battle of New Orleans ...
By: dinglestik | 12-07-2008
I'm trying to find the song Battle of New Orleans with the Hurricane Katrina video. It was all over the internet but I can't find it. I know it's red-neck but I just liked it. Thanks, d
Music Video Helo
By: Shaun | 12-07-2008
There is a music video of a man who shows up on the sidewalk in a suit. He breaks dances and a crowd gathers. Someone asks, who is he? I don't know, he dances once a year hoping his lost girlfriend will return. The band is in a car at a stop watching. I thought it was fatboy slim, but i dont think it is. Do you know who it is?
Pep, Bob Seger's former drummer
By: classicseger | 11-07-2008
Is Pep Perrine Bob Seger's former drummer in the early years is he still living?I have heard many things about him.
Lil Kim
By: Giz | 11-07-2008
Lil Kim has a song with a reggae vibe and one of the versus says The Ill Na Na taste like Rum Punch..Does anyone know the name of that song and who the male artist is who does the reggae hook?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Music Articles
Promote Your Band or Music Using These Massive Traffic Building Tips
By: David Horne | 25/07/2008
Let's face it, Band Promotion is difficult. However, to promote your band or music use these massive traffic building tips.
Reforming At The Mouth: The Rise Of The Lost Bands
By: Samantha Gilmartin | 25/07/2008
We are currently witnessing a number of comebacks from bands we all thought were dead and buried. From Take That to Rage Against the Machine, it would seem that everybody is doing it. But why?
Playing Native American Hand Drums In Drumming Groups And Ceremonies
By: Craig Chambers | 25/07/2008
If you are interested in authenticity and traditional American Indian values, you will definitely enjoy owning and displaying authentic Native American hand drums.
The Role Of Native American Drums In Native Ceremonies
By: Craig Chambers | 25/07/2008
If you are interested in the spiritual aspects of life as pertain to Indian beliefs, you would enjoy using and playing Native American drums.
Piano Software Courses Vs Piano Tuition Books (Part 2)
By: Mike Shaw | 25/07/2008
Piano software courses have become very popular in recent years, due in no small part to the simplicity of the idea, that being that you can learn in your own home with a virtual teacher on your computer.
Please Excuse My Hands Ringtone | Plies ~ Please Excuse My Hands Ringtone
By: Jim McEwan | 25/07/2008
Please Excuse My Hands by Plies is becoming a massive hit single and the Please Excuse My Hands Ringtone is one of the most popular ringtones in the world right now. The song is being played on radio stations all over the world and is ranking well on many music charts. The Please Excuse My Hands Ringtone is quickly becoming one of the hottest ringtones available. Please Excuse My Hands is the second single off Plies's second album, Definition of Real. It features Jamie Foxx and The-Dream.
I'll be Lovin' U Long Time Ringtone | Mariah Carey ~ I'll be Lovin U Long Time Ringtone
By: Jim McEwan | 25/07/2008
I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time by Mariah Carey is becoming a massive hit single and the I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time Ringtone is one of the most popular ringtones in the world right now. The song is being played on radio stations all over the world and is ranking well on many music charts. The I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time Ringtone is quickly becoming one of the hottest ringtones available.
History of the Piano
By: Amy Nutt | 25/07/2008
Acoustic pianos have been around for about 500 years, giving the piano a long history of providing music. Despite numerous attempts to create an instrument that involved strings and a hammer, Bartolomeo Cristofori was the one who is credited with actually inventing the first acoustic piano.
More from Kevin Sinclair
Training Strategies For The Best Learning Outcomes
By: Kevin Sinclair | 26/07/2008 | Training
New members of your downline will look to you for training and advice or assistance to help them get established in the business. They will be keen to succeed and highly motivated to learn. Here are some important tips to help you be effective in training your distributors.
Understanding The Connection Between Thoughts And Actions
By: Kevin Sinclair | 26/07/2008 | Advice
Your thoughts are driven by the way you feel about yourself and the level of your self-esteem, and it's these thoughts which turn into actions or deeds. The key factors of getting what you want out of life are the actions that you take. Therefore, if you are not reaching your goals and ambitions, take some time to carry out an assessment of how you actually feel about yourself.
How You Can Be Your Own Worst Enemy
By: Kevin Sinclair | 25/07/2008 | Advice
Today, we have a lot of things that we think of as our enemies; terrorists, pollution, global warming, the shrinking middle class, and many other issues are in the forefront as things that can cause us troubles. However, these are things that in many cases, we only have limited control over.
Seven Days For A Winning Edge
By: Kevin Sinclair | 24/07/2008 | Advice
We can't avoid the headlines and magazine covers sporting photographs of the rich and famous are flaunted at supermarket checkouts. Celebrities seem to live glamorous, fairy tale lives.
Crank It Up! - Industry Standards For Recording
By: Kevin Sinclair | 24/07/2008 | Music
We've all been in this situation before: you are watching a TV program when suddenly, the commercial break comes up. The commercial is much louder than the program you were watching. You turn down the volume, only to have to turn it back up once the program resumes.
Finding Hidden Freelancing Markets And Getting Clients
By: Kevin Sinclair | 23/07/2008 | Home Business
How to get new clients is something which comes up on a regular basis whether you have been in freelancing for years or you are relatively new to the business. Many freelancers spend sleepless nights worrying about the lack of new clients and try to find hidden markets in existence that they did not previously know about.
Giveaways - Do They Really Work?
By: Kevin Sinclair | 21/07/2008 | Email
Unless your computer crashed ages ago, or you have been in a coma for a very long time, you will be extremely familiar with Giveaway Events. All Internet marketers are informed that Giveaways are sure to build lists. But do they really work?
Become A MLM Success Story
By: Kevin Sinclair | 21/07/2008 | Home Business
If you are a network marketer, then you will probably want to create a successful MLM business. Many networkers look at the success stories of MLM and want to be able to emulate them. The good news is that these successes are just regular people who learned skills that you can learn to.
Art and Entertainment 
| Posted: 31-05-2007 | Comments: 
