How do you define “ready to perform”?
One of the big challenges to helping young people develop their artistry is helping them move their definition of performance ready.
I have had many students over the years who have considered performance ready to mean “I know the notes, rhythms, and words.” For me, that’s only a small percentage of the way to performance ready, though. How do I convince them of that?
I’m not always successful, but when I am, it’s through a combination of tools.
- Rehearsal recordings over time, so they can hear the development of a piece.
- Deadlines that move their definition of performance ready earlier in the process, so they can experience the next steps.
- Multiple performances of pieces over the year, so they can become aware of how a piece continues to grow.
- Lots of conversation about the musical elements beyond notation that are essential to real artistry.