Over the years of playing the piano in public, I’ve passed through many stages of performance anxiety. Perhaps the most difficult time was early on, when I expressed my stage fright through visible physical reactions. I will never forget my adult piano recital of Debussy’s Rêverie, in particular, my clacking shoe.
Piano performance tips
Rushing Haydn in Adult Piano Lessons
I have never been one to do anything slowly. I entered high school at age 12, college at 16, and was a vice president in a male-dominated industry at 30. That is, until I studied Haydn.
How to Perform a Piano Concerto
For years, Ricker Choi, an amateur pianist from Canada, wanted to play a concerto with an orchestra, a dream shared by many students of adult piano lessons.
A Dress Rehearsal for a New Year’s Performance
Ten days before Christmas, my schedule arrived for a conference I was to attend over New Year’s weekend in Charleston.
Why Students of Adult Piano Lessons Should Perform
Matthew Harre believes that performing on the piano is a different art than simply playing the piano. “I think performance is terribly important for adults,” Harre declares.
Losing Control in Adult Piano Lessons
Matthew Harre, one of the most well-known teachers of adult piano lessons in the Washington DC area, prescribes scales, patience, and practice like many of his music-teaching brethren.
This Sounded So Much Better at Home
This past August, when our music director, Julie, asked me to play during the Offertory, I decided to dust off a Chopin piece in my repertoire, the Nocturne in E-flat Major.
Press Record to Improve Your Sound
Several years ago, my piano teacher, Stephen Wu, suggested in his low-key manner that I record myself when I practiced. I allowed a lot of time to elapse before I finally worked up the courage to follow his suggestion, despite his occasional, gentle reminders.
Reentry Points: Performance Strategies for Adult Piano Lessons
Last week at a New York Piano Society audition, I learned first hand the value of having reentry points in my classical piano music.