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Happy Birthday JimF


Hiya warlock,
The first time recital is always nerve wracking. It will get easier the more you do it.

Thanks for the b-day wishes SwissMS and Ragdoll,

My recital isn't until June 2nd, but we are having a pre-recital "practice recital" for the adults only at another student's home a week from Sunday. I'm not ready yet, but it seems to be progressing bit by bit.

When I was a little boy and whined about not being able to do something that the older kids were doing, my Dad would always put an arm around me and say "don't worry, life begins at 8, you'll get there soon." Of course, when I was 8, he changed it to "life begins at 12", and later to "at 18". My folks are 89 and 94 now and I'm having dinner with them tonight.... I'll have to ask if life begins at 60!

If you have a recital coming up, try uploading a dress rehearsal to a video sharing site like MusicalOverture.com. You'll get great, positive feedback - unlike the slash and burn comments on youtube. You'll also meet more musicians like you.

Agreed, jdw. Maybe just a matter of minutes or hours.

When I was five or six, my mother was doing housework in a third floor bedroom when she looked out the window only to see me at her eye level up in a tree in the back yard. To her horror, she watched as I did a Tarzan jump from my tree to the adjacent one. No worries. Kids are used to operating without a net.

Where is that kid? I know he's in there.

Good idea, Terry. Plus trying to get a good recording/video mimics the pressure of the recital. It will help show you where the weak points are. But no need to post it to another site.....you can just post it to us right here using Box, utube, etc..

Dynamobt,

My teacher has been after me to NOT memorize so much. She WANTS me to use the music.

(actually, I really think she just wants to make sure I can refer to it successfully if I need it without losing my place)

I'm not sure that's such a good idea.

But "practice recital and sangria tasting" sounds like a GREAT idea!

Whiz, we had the same event at my house last year.....and yes, the wine and beer before, during, and after, while not doing much for the playing, made for a very enjoyable afternoon.

JimF, happy birthday!
And thank you for opening this thread.

Like dynamobt, I have my recital June 1st, only adult with a lot of kids, included my two children. I do not intend to play by memory, it would add supplementary stress and I'm already nervous enough.


I would be as positive as you are. Good luck for your recital (and for yours also, warlock214)!

Thanks torquenal.

Mine is June 2nd, so there will be a bunch of us having fun that weekend.

Not always true, I think. My second child does not like to perform, not only piano, but also in school Christmas recitals: once - he was still at the kindergarten- he had to be alone on stage dressed like Santa Claus and say something, he was grey!
Last year, at his first piano recital he was really worried, and this time he is saying he would prefer to avoid it; children are not allowed to opt-out, and one of the reasons that convinced me to participate is to share it with him.

I really hope we'll have all fun!

Malkin,

Good luck tomorrow. You will do just fine.

I think a 'Recital Redemption' a couple weeks after the event would be fun too. Play the piece you botched or play something else, and have some fun.

I've got mine in a months time... I'm actually excited for it! .... guys... even if you're scared FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT!!

GOOD LUCK everyone else taking theirs!

Good luck everyone playing in upcoming recitals.

Thanks!
I did in fact do just fine. The piano is a Steinway B and I had a few moments of 'unfamiliarity' with the action (like I'm thinking "WTF is going on?!") and during the Bach Musette I heard someone whisper "That's really pretty." which was followed by a spontaneous and unwritten blue note.

All of the other adults refused or bailed out and three of the more advanced students cancelled at the last minute.

I had fun listening to the kids play and I had lots of fun playing a duet ofJoshua Fit the Battle of Jericho with my husband.

I got a little nervous, thinking that if I played horribly it might reflect badly on my teacher; I don't mind making a fool of myself--I can do that any day of the week-- and have lived this long!

Anyway, now we have both got a little tickle in mind that we might be just the tiniest bit interested in having a grand...

Good for you, malkin!!

Played in my first recital today. I was nervous and started to bomb but recovered and finished good per my instructor!! I was the only adult student! One of the student's Dad came up and said good job. He has always wanted to play and that I have inspired him to start taking lessons!

Way to go, Malkin. You just have to keep throwing yourself out there. It's better for me every time I try.