Our summer recitals are coming up in a few weeks and most of our students have settled on a piece to perform. School is winding down, as are many other extracurricular activities. However, we are gearing up here at Guitar Shed!

As you are preparing for the recital, below are a few things to keep in mind….

  • Pick a song that is appropriate for your skill level. From a scale of 1-10 with 1 being the easiest, ideally you should pick a song that is between a 6 and an 8. This gives you a challenge to work towards and will hopefully keep you engaged throughout your preparation. If you are new to performing, try staying towards a 6 and if you are a seasoned vet feel free to go for that 8. If you have already settled on a song, there is still time to make modifications or select a new piece if need be.
  • “Over-prepare and then go with the flow”….this one is pretty self-explanatory. There are several internal and external factors that can derail any performance, however with proper preparation you can easily avoid some pitfalls and pick yourself back up if a mistake comes your way! Get plenty of rest, relax, practice and try to remain open to any unexpected changes. Your string may break, you may forget your music, forget the lyrics….but the show must go on. By over preparing you will be equipped to handle anything that comes your way.
  • Talk to your teacher. Make sure that you have all of the information you need from your teacher. The proper tempo, any technical information that you might need, historical background on the piece, any burning questions about the recital experience? We are on your side and we are here for you! Not only are we on your side, but so is the audience. ALL of the audience members want you to succeed and have a positive performance experience.
  • Lastly, remember that at Guitar Shed music is not a competition. You are exactly where you need to be! Thank you for participating and thank you for learning, shedding and performing!