?

In my studio, recital count as a lesson among all the 48 lessons of the year. If they decide not to come, they still pay the "recital fee" which equal to one lesson fee. So far I have only one student decide not to come because he has a religious camp to attend but not because he is not prepared for the recital.

I have a "not required, but strongly recommended" stand on recitals. I feel the performance experience is wonderful for children for a variety of reasons, but haven't felt like a mandatory stance was necessary or maybe even good. All of my students participate right now anyway.

I require recital attendance, not necessarily participation, but most play anyway. The only ones who don't play are those with less than 6 months of study. I have them attend so they can see what it's like and to inspire them in their study. While they are capable of playing in the recital, most of them have never attended one and so it is a big unknown. When they actually do get to play, they know more what to expect.

Except for those extreme beginners who have been playing only a few months, yes it should be mandatory. There is no good reason to play to only yourself. (There certainly are reasons, but none of them are good ones.)

This is a ridiculous statement. I rarely play for anyone else and I've been playing since 1952 (except a few years when I quit because of a recital requirement)

I get GREAT satisfaction playing by myself and for myself. I play for a couple hours everyday for myself. It is part of me and is an integral part of my life. I also have a sister who is completely fulfilled playing for her own gratification.

This is certainly a good reason for me!

The few times I play for anyone is when people have asked me for specific reasons (weddings or funerals for friends or relatives etc.) My wife is the only one who ever hears me most of the time.

Playing for other people is not a requirement for me to love piano. It may be for you or even for most people but you cannot make a blanket statement for everyone.

I agree with Roger.

The rest of you would have sick players in recital?
Bleh!

I play 3 to 5 solo gigs a month, and probably 7 or 8 gigs with a band a year.

I hate recitals.

I'm with Roger. People play for as many different reasons as there are people.

Formal recitals aren't one of mine

Cathy

I don't do recitals with my students. Mainly because I feel that music is a personal matter and it's up to the individual if they want to share it or not. What I do for my students instead is offer to video record them either for their own personal keepsake, or to post on my Youtube channel so they can share with their friends and families. This still gives them performance experience and practice preparing to perform, but with less pressure. I myself have had plenty of experience with pressure and performance... particularly juries in college, and I don't see the benefit of it. After finishing grad school 4 years ago I haven't performed publicly except on two occasions and for my students. I have found that playing only for myself has helped me get back to what made me want to be a musician in the first place... my own personal connection to music in my own personal way. Of course, for some, recitals are a blast!

By the way, I am new to the forum... this is my first posting!

As a piano student, I feel that recitals should be required, because the experience of playing for an audience is so valuable to becoming a quality pianist. I am not saying that it is wrong to play only for yourself, but I think that playing regularly for an audience will make you a better pianist.

I'm not questioning the value of playing to yourself. I'm questioning your qualifications as censor or judge of what your friends & acquaintances ought to be listening to. Listening to your playing is probably more worthwhile to them than recordings.

You are down to a pretty weak argument David!
Forgive me if I feel (very) good about about what Roger, Scott, malkin and Cathy just said! We have "sparred" over this before but I was usually a lone ranger. Now I have company!

And yours is the most unusual definition of censorship I have ever heard. I have control and censorship over me. My friends and acquaintances cannot wish me into their listening experience unless I want them to. It is unconstitutional down here..

Welcome to the forum, Scott!

I like your approach here; I also like the idea of strongly encouraging recitals but not making them mandatory.

...though I am feeling a tad hypocritical as I type this, because in many of my classes I have required oral presentations as part of the class grade, and some of my students hate/fear those just as much as they would a recital.

hmmm.... must think about this...

Yup.

I think it depends on what the goal of the teacher is. A teacher who wants his students to excel in competition's and festivals would probably make recitals mandatory. My first teachers, with whom i studied when I was younger didn't make recitals mandatory, my current teacher with whom i'v been with for 4 years is more 'serious' and expects more out of his students, his student recitals are mandatory.

I used to make all of my students play in my studio recitals. Then I found several big problems:

1) students who simply don't show up (they're usually the ones who don't play well, know they don't play well, and pretty soon quit lessons altogether),

2) students who arrive 15 minutes late,

3) students who leave right after they play (read: sports),

4) students who have giant memory slips in spots where they've never messed up before,

5) students who have giant memory slips in spots where I've circled in five different colors,

6) students who freak out about playing in front of people (who otherwise love their lessons and piano in general),

7) parents who, after the recital is over, immediately start comparing kids in front of the kids--usually in the form (speaking to their own kids) "How come you don't play as well as _________?"

8) parents who complain that I host too many recitals, and

9) parents who talk when kids are playing.

So I've been keeping track of whom to invite to future recitals...some kids don't get any invitations at all, or at most one recital per year.

I certainly agree that if you are teaching students who you (and they) expect to be competing or performing in the future, they should get practice performing. That's another whole topic and circumstance.

I don't censor anything, if a friend or relative asks me to play a song (piece?) for them, I will do it. However, even then I am free to say no (and have) so there is no pressure at all.

I love the idea of creating a video to use as one desires and I think it's an excellent solution.

Scott, great website.

I love your version of Bye Bye Blackbird, nice job.

I also loved seeing and hearing your students, what a great idea.

I've never had the question come up!

At the first meeting I have with families, I explain that we do two recitals per year. I explain that I think public performance is very important, and that I prefer that they don't limit it to recitals, but also play for visiting family, play in church, in school variety shows, etc. I explain that it is hard for some people to perform, and the only way to make it easier is to do it more often.

None of my students has ever balked, and many of them have told me it's their favorite part of lessons.

I think it helps them have a target in mind - not just endless lessons, but a chance to polish, perfect, and present. I wonder if it may be one positive side of having students who are involved in so many other activities. They wouldn't dream of going to soccer practice and skipping the game! It seems a natural progression.

I have one adult student, and would be very willing to let her pass, but she insists on playing. She says she wants her son (also my student) to play, and needs to set an example. She is probably the audience favorite due to her sheer bravery, as they all sit there thinking they could never do that. She gets the loudest applause and the most compliments afterward - even when she plays poorly.

Thanks Roger! I'm looking forward to sharing on the forum.

I would never make a recital mandatory. I quit taking piano lessons at age 12 because I was too nervous about the recitals.

A friend of mine had a wonderful piano teacher who was considered one of the best in our area. She had monthly "clubs" in her home with select groups of students. Each student was allowed to play a piece if they wanted to, but they weren't forced to play. It was a very informal environment. I would have so much preferred that method of playing for others.

Kathy

Scott - I really like your website - you did a great job. (I'm waiting for your youtube channel to open at the moment. It's going slow for some reason.)

I just spent the earlier part of this week in Bowie, MD, visiting relatives. Fun to see that's your location!

Okay - just watched a few videos. Wondered at all the different pianos / keyboards, until I remembered you said you teach at the students' homes. That one little keyboard would drive me crazy, though. Good for you for being so flexible.

Oh, and welcome from me, too.

It's far better for most people. I try to keep my recitals as informal, non-stress, "piano club" as possible, though my students do have to play (eventually - they can come to one or two without playing if they're inexperienced beginners).

Thanks Lollipop!

I've been very inspired (well reverse-inspired really) by the stories of people who learnt piano, had to perform, were terrified and hated it, then quit piano... and can still remember the trauma of performing years later.

So... I teach a performance culture right from the first lesson. At the end of first or second lesson get the child to perform for me (and parent). I sit in a special audience appreciation chair, announce piece, clap afterwards etc. The child seems to thoroughly enjoy being the centre of attention and bringing a lovely piece of music into the room. What's there not to like??? From here it's an easy step to "Which pieces would you like to play for the concert?". They never say no.

In the concert the focus in on enjoyment of the music, not on perfect playing. This allows all students to enjoy the experience, and I can honestly say that they do. I am very glad to have offered them this special gift to do what I could NEVER do as a child (play in front of others). Early and Often, that's the key.

For transfer students who are shocked by my attitude "But performing is NOT fun!?!" they say. I strongly urge them to attend a concert, then they can perform in the following concert.

So ALL my students perform, all the less talented, no decent instrument, no parental help; and the strong performers as well. So not mandatory exactly but has same result.

No. If you have to make your recitals mandatory, the failure has already occurred.