How can you tell when you're really ready?

Question

How do you know when you are really ready to perform in front of an audience? I can play my music well when in the privacy of a practice room (I play the piano), but I never know if that means that I'm really ready to perform or if it's just that I am doing well because no one's listening.

How can you tell if your comfort with the piece in practice room is at a level that will carry over into a live performance?

Answer 1

Star small. Play for family, and friends. Get their imput. Your first real performance in front of a real audience is scary to everyone. Have confidence in yourself and go for it!!! Performing well is the best feeling in the world!!

Answer 2

You are the one who has to decide if you are ready. It is a good idea to get input from your teacher during a lesson, but in the end the decision is yours.

The trick is to concentrate on the music you are making and not what everyone is thinking of you. An audience has come to be entertained and possibly even moved by a musician. No one wants to see a performer fail or look stupid. Most audiences are very supportive and no real performance is perfect.

If you have the piece well under your belt and you feel like it is a musical performance then take it to the public. It wouldn't hurt to start small, but then again it wouldn't hurt to just go in whole hog either.

The key to a good performance is good preparation.

Answer 3

Personally, I usually played better in front of a group than by myself. The adrenaline rush I got in front of a group seemed to increase my focus and improve my accuracy. Just don't let yourself get too worked up about playing in public. Remember, if someone wants to listen to you play, odds are it's because you are doing something that they can't do, and they are just there to enjoy themselves. They won't care if you're perfect or not. If nothing else, the best performance to put on is in front of the elderly. I'm not joking. I used to volunteer to play at senior homes from time to time and that kind of crowd is so appreciative, you'll get compliments even if you fall off your stool and whack your head on the keys. You're ready, go for it!

Answer 4

Play for family, and at every holiday function play while there are people in the house, even if their not sitting listening just sit and play pretending that their an audience.....and see if you feel comfortable. Piano is a large instrument so it's not like you can just play anywhere....are you old enough to play in a restaurant....maybe you can offer to play for free for one to gain the experience of playing in front of people....have you every played in church, that's another way to gain experience for playing in front of people....have you given recitals....why not do that some time....print up tickets and give a free concert in your local church.....well good luck to you....if you play for family at a holiday function and don't have a case of the nerves that could indicate that your ready to play in front of people, but remember all performers get a case of the nerves, even after they have gained experience....some get use to it easier then others....you'll just have to find out which of these you are, and only time and performance in front of people will give you this answer. !!!!!!!!!!!