How to Prepare for a Recital | Recital Tips

May 1, 2023
4 min read

It is never too early to talk about recital prep and practices! If you are new to this whole music thing it can be a little overwhelming with all the nuances and standard practices involved in being a part of the music scene. Recitals are a part of every musician's journey and as exciting as it is, it can also be nerve-wracking.

First, let's talk about what Recitals and Expectations

You can think of recitals as performances that showcase an individual or group of individuals’ hard work. Recitals are meant to be a joyous time surrounded by the performer’s family and friends, who of course are there to give 100% support.

That being said, recitals can still feel nerve-wracking.

Even when the environment is supportive, getting up in front of people and performing can feel like a lot. You might be worried about making a mistake, forgetting your music, messing up your entrance, or simply having everyone’s eyes on you.

Rest assured, that is completely normal!

As teachers, most of the time, we are looking for growth, effort, and courage. A recital is not about proving that you are the best musician in the room. It is about giving yourself the opportunity to share what you have been working on. It is also important to remember that everyone performs differently. Some students love the spotlight. Some students feel nervous weeks in advance. Some students are excited until the moment they walk on stage.

When preparing for a recital and working on performance practice, the goal is not to remove every single nerve; the goal is to prepare well enough that you can walk into the performance feeling supported and ready to do your best.

So, whether this is your first recital or your fifteenth, we have some tips that can help ease your nerves and prepare you for the big day. Without further ado, here are some tips to help you prepare for your next recital!

Practice is Essential in Recital Preparation

There are many benefits to practicing your instrument. I know-- you have heard it a million times in all corners of the internet, from teachers and parents alike-- but practice is more than just getting better at your instrument. It is about building your confidence within your studio so you can better perform in front of other people. Practicing isn't just going through scales over and over again, it can include the practice of visualization, practice performing, and much more.

Dress to Impress

If you dress well, you will feel better. Think about all the times you've been complimented about your clothes -- it always gives you a little bit of pep in your step. Depending on your situation, whether you are organizing the recital or you are preparing for one within your studio, you should be dressing semi-formal to formal dress. Some studio policy may suggest a guideline, if that's the case, always follow it. Regardless, looking spiffy, will only boost your confidence, no matter how anxious you may be! Just make sure the clothes are functional to your instrument end won't distract you from your own performance.

Make your life easy and plan out your day

It is very easy to forget the stuff because of life. But you really want to make sure to carefully plan the big day! You certainly don't want to be rushing around all day or risk running late or worse, missing the recital entirely! Planning out your schedule will ease your mind on what you have to do because there is something you can always reference. I recommend using a app on your phone or doing an old-fashioned paper schedule.

Create a pre-performance routine

If you are not used to the sensation or the feeling of getting up on stage, it is likely that you are nervous of the unknown. You've never experienced something like this and your body does not interpret that as a non-dangerous environment. Your body cannot distinguish between being chased by a lion or just doing a performance-based task. We're all worried about our perception or the way we look in front of our community but rest assured recitals are very safe (especially the ones here at Melody Mart). Take a breather and create a pre-performance routine.

Mock Performances are your best friends

Whether you like it or not, performing before the performance will help you immensely. A mock performance is exactly what it sounds like: a practice performance before the real one. This could mean playing your piece for your teacher, your family, a friend, another student, or even just recording yourself and pretending the camera is the audience.

The point is to practice under recital-like conditions. That means starting from the beginning, playing all the way through, and resisting the urge to stop every time something feels imperfect. In a real recital, you do not get to pause, rewind, or say, “Wait, let me try that again.” Mock performances help you get comfortable with that feeling before the big day.

They also help you identify what still needs work. Sometimes a piece feels solid when you are practicing alone, but the second someone else is listening, your brain suddenly forgets how to function. The goal is to find those shaky spots early so you have time to fix them. Mock performances can also help with nerves. The more you practice performing, the less unfamiliar it feels. You start learning how your body reacts under pressure, how to recover from mistakes, and how to keep going even when your hands, voice, or brain decide to act brand new.

So before recital day, try to perform your piece for someone at least once. Even better, do it a few times. It may feel awkward at first, but future you will be grateful.

Invite your fans!

Having people you love present will help you feel at ease. Family and friends you trust will support you through the thick and thin and knowing that someone is going You can make it a whole event and plan a little post-recital celebration while you are at it!