Whatever your piano skill level you’re at, every musician gets to the part of their journey to perform their music in front of others. For many people, performing the piano can be a daunting task. Some people may experience nerves, shaking, sweating, lack of confidence, etc. All of these feelings when performing can be quite uncomfortable. So, how do you become confident in playing the piano in front of others? Here are some tips on how to become a better piano performer:
Manage Your Practice Time
First and foremost, having a set practice time is essential to becoming a great piano performer. Frequently, practice time can find itself being low on your priority list. If it’s at the bottom of your list, you should schedule some time to sit down and practice what you want to perform each week. Whether you’re a beginner at the piano or you’ve been playing for a while, practice time makes a world of difference when it comes time to perform what you’ve been practicing. Whether you practice every other day of the week for 30 minutes or every day for an hour, don’t allow anything to deter you from practicing. And if you find yourself with extra time on your hands, tack on an extra hour to your practice routine.
Make Sure Your Goals are Realistic
What are your goals as a performer? Are those goals realistic and reachable? Whether your goal is to become an expert piano performer or to play a piece in front of a friend, setting realistic goals for yourself is essential. No one becomes an expert at playing the piano overnight, but piano players do become experts over time. Whatever your performance goals may be, remember that growing your craft requires hard work, dedication, and plenty of practice. As musicians, we tend to dream big. So if you’re struggling to meet your goals, take a moment to re-evaluate them and to write down new ones that you can reach.
Make People Feel Your Music
As a piano player, you have a great opportunity to not only perform the piano but to make people feel the music you’re playing. One of the most significant differences between a regular piano player and an expert piano player is how their music conveys emotions. So, are you creating an experience for your audience? Does your piano playing convey a certain emotion?
A practical way to begin playing the piano with emotion is by using dynamics in your songs. Playing with dynamics is quite simply one of the things that you can add to your piano playing that will transform and expand your mastery of music. Not only will it boost your enjoyment of playing the piano, but your audience will benefit from it as well.
Check out this video on how to use dynamics in your piano playing:
Do It Often
As a pianist, you must get used to playing the piano in public without becoming overcomes with nerves. To do that, you must get as many reps in as you can. If you have a performance or recital coming up soon, prepare yourself for the big day by performing for your friends and family. Whether you play for one person or one hundred-person audience, feeling comfortable during a performance is key to a successful performance. Once you feel comfortable and confident playing in front of your close friends and family, begin performing at community or private events such as parties, picnics, school functions, etc. Over time, playing in front of others will become more manageable, and those butterflies in your tummy will become a thing of the past.
Take The Pressure Off Of Yourself
Last but not least, take the pressure off of yourself. Music is to be enjoyed, not to cause anxiety and fear. So if you find yourself drowning in anxiety or fear, take a step back to look at the bigger picture, whether you’re playing in front of close friends and family, in front of thousands of people, or maybe for a competition. Be comforted that it is perfectly normal and okay for any musician to feel nervous before performing. However, taking the pressure off of yourself, breathing deep, and realizing that music is to be felt can change your whole sound and performance. SO next time you feel yourself filling up with anxiety about your performance, remember to truly enjoy your instrument, and everything else will follow naturally.
Conclusion
So, are you ready for your next performance? We hope you enjoyed reading about how to become a better piano performer. If you’re interested in buying your dream piano to perform with, we can help you! Come check us out at Miller Piano Specialists in Franklin, TN! If you have any questions about where to buy a piano for the best price, we are open! Our hours are Monday-Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm. We are happy to help you in person again, using all the guidelines we have been provided. We are here for you.
