Well hey there First name / friend!
It is Monday! A beautiful chance to reset, start anew and … plan to incorporate something fun into your practice sessions for the week. :)
Ever go to perform and realize you didn’t think too much about what you’d do backstage, how you’d walk on stage, or exactly how you’d bow, prep and start?
Don’t worry. We’re positive you’re not alone.
Tiffany here, and last week I played three recitals! It was a fun, albeit slightly tiring experience - but so nice to do a solo recital again post the wild ride of 2020/2021.
One of the things I spent a lot of time practicing leading up to these recitals was my pre-playing actions. I’ve found that for myself, and my students, they’re crucial. I’ve witnessed them make the difference between a very wobbly performance and one that starts with confidence and conviction.
Maybe you're wondering what the heck a pre-playing action is… but first, I would like to use this opportunity to assure you that I tried to think of a better name. I came up short. So, pre-playing actions it is. 😂
Anyway, here’s how I see it. Once you get to your performance venue for something like a recital, you’ve got your warm up, your backstage rituals and then you start playing. Often you'll move from a greenroom or practice room to backstage, so I always think of a transition there. BUT - there’s A LOT of important stuff that happens between taking your first step on stage and making your first sound. Those are pre-playing actions.
I've got 4 of them that you should absolutely consider practicing today, so, go check them out!
