Tomorrow I am playing in my second recital since resuming lessons about a year ago (after 25-30 year gap!). The first recital really went OK. For this one I'm feeling shaky. I've practiced a lot, but not enough and still don't feel fully in control of my piece. I seem to need a warm up which of course one doesn't really get for a recital. It's hard for me to walk up to the piano cold and just play, even though I've been trying to do that at home for the last few days.

Just looking for a little sympathy. I don't want to be scared! (or embarrass my teacher who has worked with me so patiently)

If you can play the piece at home without any hiccups then at least you have a chance.
If you have never played the piece fluently yet then your either screwed or you better do an all nighter and play it however many times it takes for you to get it right.

If your piece has never been played fluently yet AND its a stretch of your abilities, it's going to be a slaughter!

Really ugly.

Personally I would bail.

From what you are saying, it seems you put yourself in this pickle by not practicing enough.

Why didn't you?

Play REAL slow before you go to the concert.. keep your hands warm. Don't pay attention to the audience. Bow, seat yourself at the piano. Dive into the music.

I suck at stage performance too and the advice I've received is to play as often as possible for others. I try to do that whenever we have friends over. I play for them whatever I'm currently working on.

What piece(s) will you be performing?

One thing that may help is to play through your pieces at an extremely slow tempo tonight. Do that a couple of times and then get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow do something fun, talk a walk, relax. Don't even play your pieces. Determine that you're going to enjoy yourself! Before the recital eat a banana (or two!) to calm your nerves. Get to the recital place a little early and play a few scales on the piano to get used to it. When it's your turn to play, try to take it at a little slower tempo than you would normally play it at home as the surge of adrenaline will naturally make you tend to go faster.

If you don't feel fully in control of your piece, a slower tempo should enable you to play well.

Edit: Ah, I see liszt85 was posting at about the same time. SLOW and steady wins the race!

Just to be clear, if you have a *reasonable* chance of pulling it off then by all means go for it.

If however the piece is not really within your grasp at this time then attempting to perform the piece under nervy circumstances simply would not be the best recommendation.

To encourage someone into a bad situation is not really helping them. Ultimately I guess it depends on the penalty for failure should that happen. If the penalty for failure (should that happen) be less than the positives from participating would be, then I would suggest to do it anyway.

Just don't do it if you know your going to tank and it will leave life long emotional scars. That would be suicide.

Geez, Mr. Super Hunky. You are giving me the creeps.
Yes, I have a reasonable chance of pulling it off. I've already figured out that there are certain areas where I just have to slow down more than I'd like. I'm going to anticipate them rather than be forced into a slow down.

I am a middle aged mom of 2, which means I'm pretty tough by this point in life. This is an amateur, adults-only recital. If I blow it there are no penalities whatsoever, other than in my own mind. What possible penalties could there be?

I was hoping to be better prepared, that's all, and I thought others here would understand that feeling.

No need for creeps. Just needed more info based on the original post. That is why ALL scenarios were presented along with a recommendation for each.

Now with the info provided, by all means do it. You even know to slow down ahead of time in the tough spots.

Your chances are extremely good now. Really!

Hey T'sMom, do what jazzyprof (and I) suggested and you'll be just fine!

I guess super-hunky was also referring to those "internal" penalties but then, you don't have to set those penalties for yourself!

Play at the tempo you are comfortable with in the most difficult passages. And Good Luck!

So how did it go, T's Mom? I hope very well. I admire your attitude!!!!!!

If the recital is not a very serious event you may "adapt" the piece and play a shorter/adapted version at it. Skip of simplify the parts you are not comfortable yet. IMHO this has several advantages over failing badly.

T's Mom--I have played at my teacher's recital twice a year since resuming lessons ten years ago, and I have never played as well as I do at home. I used to be crushed afterward, but I think I have finally made my expectations more realistic so I can just take whatever comes.

It really helps me be a better pianist, so it's good to do it even if you're not fully prepared.

Nancy

I felt like that two weeks before my recital but the truth is I wouldn't have been much better if I had a few extra weeks. Accept the way the performance is, enjoy it as much as you can and, even if you don't do great, bow as if you have!

T'sMom...I have been in your exact same situation a few times myself. The only adult among young teens and little kids performing. And, to make matters even more fun, the other kids are mostly elementary school students of mine during the week! We place so much pressure on ourselves with the mindset that just because we're adults, we have to be better at something than the kids even though we're all learning!

I hope your recital went well; let us know. In my experience, though, whether it went well or not so much, most people have congratulated me on my playing, deserved or not. But without fail, they all state they are amazed I had the courage to perform, and compliment that!

Well, it was adequate but not great. The adrenaline caught me off guard and I played faster than I intended. Slower would have been better.

This was a very easy crowd, mostly adult students, in someone's home. The only ones who played perfectly were the teenagers. Our teacher invites his star teens to play in the adult recital and they were amazing. He has a separate kids recital for most of the kids.

I played better at the last recital.

But having these two experiences has taught me an important lesson. I *knew* the piece wasn't ready. My teacher doesn't understand that. He thinks I was nervous playing for others but truly that wasn't the main problem. I just wasn't ready with it and I didn't have confidence. I hadn't been able to play it 100% through without some glitch, even alone. The glitches were unpredictable but persistent. So next time I am going to trust my gut on that. If I'm not ready by recital time I do not have to play. Or I can play something simpler, even if it's not a sophisticated piece.

Glad it was adequate! It wasn't a train wreck, you survived it and it was a learning experience. Kudos to you! Remember what I suggested:

Now you've experienced it for yourself and you'll be better prepared for the adrenaline surge next time. A good trick is to start a slow count in your head to set the tempo before you begin to play.

Glad to hear it turned out well.

Jazzyprof-- you know, I specifically tried to start slowly. But once I got to the first run of 16th notes I speeded up despite myself. Something for me to work on for next time.

I've been thinking about this all day. My teacher tends to encourage me to take on pieces just at the upper end of my ability. I want to really work more on easier pieces that I can master perfectly in a shorter amount of time, mixing them with the harder pieces. It will give me more confidence, I think.