Do you remember that Performance is one of the three Ps? If you’ve forgotten the others, you can read the post about it all here.
Performance is the ultimate goal of learning to play.
You may be performing just to yourself, perhaps even with headphones on, or in a locked room with a cheetah prowling outside the door so absolutely no one can enter. Or your performance may be in some grand concert hall, or on the stage of a prestigious music festival with thousands of people listening. Or perhaps you’re making an exam recording for one person to listen and assess you. No matter. All performances are the same: you prepare and practice beforehand, and then you go “on stage” and do your best.
But.
There’s an etiquette too. Actually, more than one. It depends on the type of performance.
Here’s the etiquette for the cheetah-outside-the-room-solitary-just-for-you performance:
- Tell the cheetah to pace up and down and look menacing.
- Close and lock the door.
- Go to your instrument.
- Play like you’ve never played before.
- Unlock and open the door.
- Feed the cheetah.
But what about the Showcase??
Ah, now that’s different!
We have two Showcases, actually. One’s in Norfolk, the other’s in Wales. You know which one you’re going to, don’t you?
Now, I’m writing here for three types of people. 1. The Performers. 2. The Parents of the Younger Performers. 3. The Audience. Please read all that follows, discarding information which does not apply to you. If you’re reading this you may be in one, two or all three categories.
Both Showcases will begin at 3pm.
Both Showcases will open their doors to performers and audience at 2.45pm.
Both Showcases will finish at roughly 4.30pm (although please be flexible about this!)
Both Showcases will feature the performances first, and then the presentation of Certificates (exciting!)
Both Showcases have free entry, and there are no tickets.
The Welsh Showcase will finish with Refreshments, kindly and generously provided by Nick and Karen Rusling of Coach House Pianos.
I am not going to publish the actual addresses of the Showcases here. If you don’t know where to go, please contact me. The same applies to the dates. If you are not sure which date your Showcase is on, please get in touch.
The following etiquette applies to performers and audience at both Showcases. Please do it!
Performers:
- You will be nervous! Almost everybody is. I’m not going to tell you to relax, or not to worry. All I’ll say is, the more you perform, the easier it gets. So if this is your first time, you will probably be super-nervous. If you’ve done this countless times before, you’ll won’t feel too bad. And there may be a very few natural performers who never feel nervous, they’re just eager to show off!
Whichever of these you are, just know that everyone is on your side, cheering you on and ready to applaud you, no matter what happens. And the next time, it will be easier. The time after that, easier still… - When it’s your turn to play, walk confidently up to the piano, the keyboard or the drum kit.
From this moment, you own the stage.
This is such an important concept, and yet very few people understand it. You are in charge, and you set the pace. Take your time, do not hurry. But it’s more than that. Owning the stage means you are now a showman. Larger than life. We have all turned out on this day and in this place for you. Acknowledge it. Be proud! - Turn towards the audience and announce your name and the piece you are going to play. Use a loud, clear voice. Practise doing this at home. Here’s how you should do it: “My name is Fred Flintstone, and I am playing Rock around the Clock.” Except, please use your own name and your own piece!
- Put your music on the music stand and sit on the piano stool/drum stool/keyboard stool. Again, do not rush these things. Be deliberate.
- Adjust the stool and its position until it is exactly right for you.
- Take a few moments to settle yourself at the instrument. Sing or hear the first part of your piece in your head. This helps you remember what speed and volume you need when you start. It makes sure you get into the “feel” of the music.
- Put your fingers on the keys or pick up your drumsticks.
- Begin!
- Don’t stop playing until you get to the end. Don’t stop if you make a mistake. Don’t stop if your music falls off the stand. Don’t stop for anything or anyone (I’m excluding genuine emergencies here). Do your very best, but even if you make the whole thing up, remember this is a performance. The chances are high that nobody will notice an error. But they will absolutely certainly notice a breakdown or an exclamation (from you) of dismay. Don’t do it. Own the stage. Be a showman.
- When you have finished your piece, stay seated for a couple of moments.
- The audience will clap. As they do so, get up, walk to the front and face the audience.
- Bow to the audience. The bow is essential. Just as the applause says, “Thank you for playing,” the bow says, “Thank you for listening.” It is a courtesy and must not be forgotten. Practise your bow at home. It is not flamboyant. It is a gesture only, but a vital one. Bow from the waist, leaning forward and then immediately straightening up again. Keep your hands by your sides.
- Pick up your music (and your drumsticks) and walk confidently back to your seat.
From this moment, you no longer own the stage.
Parents of Performers:
- If your child is too young to be receiving Humoresque themselves, please tell them the basics of the above list. Get them to practise it at home, including walking up to the piano, keyboard or drums, announcing their name and the name of their piece, then sitting down to play with confidence and style. Practise the bowing afterwards too.
- Help your child understand that everyone is on their side and the audience is willing them on. If it’s their first performance, a practice run in front of grandparents, neighbours or friends is a really good idea.
Audience:
- You are all the audience! You may be a performer, but you’ll be in the audience too for the other performers. So this is for you too!
- Don’t talk while people are performing.
- Clap wildly after each performance.
- That’s it!
The Presentation of Certificates:
If you have taken and passed a music exam with Kit or with me during the past year, you will have your certificate formally presented to you after the performances are all over. I present the certificates in alphabetical order of surname. When you hear your name, please walk up to the stage, shake my hand and collect your certificate(s). Then go back to your seat. The audience will applaud you, but this time there is no need to bow. This time, the applause is a “Well done!” rather than a “Thank you”.
Take care of your certificates. Some people frame them. Some put them in a presentation folder. Treat them with respect and show them off with pride. You worked hard for those pieces of paper. You achieved a goal set by an accredited exam board, and this is a tremendous thing.
Humoresque has spoken before about music exams and the certificates the boards award to successful candidates. If you get one or more at the Showcase, you are a magnificent achiever. If you’re not there yet, look forward to it. It will be your turn soon!
Finally, have fun at the Showcase! It’s a chance to hear others play, to hear other instruments and new music, to recognise how far you’ve come since last year and to plan ahead for the year to come.
Kit and I look forward to welcoming you and your families and friends to our wonderful Norfolk and Welsh Showcases.
PS No cheetahs were hurt in the making of this blog.
I’d love to know what you think of all this. You can put a comment in the box below this post, or you can email me directly. I read and respond to everything.
Humoresque is available to anyone who might be interested. You don’t have to be one of my pupils, or even learning music. If you know anyone who might be interested in subscribing to Humoresque, please let me know. I will only need their name and their email address. Thanks.
Humoresque = a whimsical or fanciful piece of music. Be whimsical, be fanciful, but play in time!
This is Humoresque Number 20