Help Your Child Get Ready for the Piano Recital
Why do teachers have piano recitals? One of the reasons is that it is a chance for piano students to perform in front of family, friends, and the other students. Many students want to play pieces that they learned over the past year and they also want to hear other students play, too.
Some parents of students view recitals in a very depressing and pessimistic way, and they expect the worst performance from their child. When parents think in this manner, they transfer those negative emotions to their child, who then believes that they can’t do very well at a recital. At the same time, some parents force the concept of a recital on a young student, yet expect a poor performance from their own child.
Many piano teachers believe that recitals are a great time for students to show off their improvement and progression over the weeks and months of practicing. Most children like the idea of performing pieces that they like in front of their family and friends. Some parents, though need to remember to keep positive and not to project their nervousness and lack of confidence onto their child for the recital.
Some, if not all students are anxious and tense for recitals, but this is only to be expected and is normal behavior. Children should select a recital piece or two that they excel at playing and that sounds good as a performance. If this is successful at the recital, the student will gain more insight and self-assurance for other upcoming recitals.
The parents should give the child confidence and praise for their pieces way ahead of time. Plan a couple of impromptu piano recitals at home for family and friends, and even have some refreshments afterward, like a real piano recital. Even practice walking up to the piano and sitting down, even bowing!
By performing for the family at home, the student will be more prepared for the upcoming recital and be informed that no one in the audience knows their piece. Also, the student should not wear constricting or too tight belts, pants, slacks, or skirts that would make them uncomfortable or self-conscious. Shoes should be presentable yet cozy and dressy so that the student doesn’t slip and fall, or slip off when pressing the pedal.
Your child might want to record the recital pieces and listen to see if there is anything there they may need to change, such as notes, dynamics, and so on. They may want to tell their piano teacher about it and play for the teacher again before the recital. In sum, a student can learn self-confidence so that the next recital will be even better.
Last tip for family members: treat your child’s first recital as a very special occasion to be remembered. Next, treat your child with compassion and listen to what they have to say about their concerns—then reassure them. Keep in mind your child will treasure memories of the first piano recital, so keep it special and take everyone out to your child’s favorite restaurant after the event.
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