So you want to perform: A game plan
If you're learning piano because you would like to perform one day, here's the game plan I would use to help get you on your way.
If you’re a visual learner, you may prefer to watch the video above. If you prefer to read, here’s a summary of my game plan.
Step One: Visualize
Try to visualize in as much detail as possible where you would like to see yourself performing one day. Do you want to play in an auditorium? Do you want to play in a bar? Do you want to play in front of your church? Do you want to play in front of your friends at a social gathering? Try to gather as much imaginative detail about what this experience is going to look like.
Along with that, choose the style or genre of music that you would love to play in these settings. Classical? Rock covers? Jazz? Something else?
Step Two: Find entry-level songs in your preferred style
In order to make this dream attainable, we’re going to have to find sheet music that is both enjoyable and feasible for you to play within your first few months of learning. So my recommendation is to look around (with the support of your teacher, if you have one) for beginner sheet music in the style or genre you want to play.
There are an infinite number of beginner arrangements available in any style you could possibly imagine. You could find these through your local music store. Or, if your favourite style isn’t very popular, you could look online as there are so many indie arrangers who love to create their own arrangements of lesser-known songs. So think big and take a look!
The key here is to find music you enjoy playing. As I’ve said elsewhere, you do not need to start with a beginner lesson book when you're first learning piano. All you need is to find music that's going to be accessible to you as a learner. Usually that means finding pieces that are 1) short, 2) don’t have many sharps or flats, and of course 3) in the style that you actually want to play. It's totally possible to learn as much about theory and rhythm through an entry-level style book as you would learn from a beginner lesson book! So don't be afraid to look around!
Step Three: Work on your memorization skills
Chances are, if you want to play in front of people, you're not going to go up to the stage with a big pile of books in your arms! You want to have your songs memorized. So as early as you feel comfortable, I would work on helping you learn your pieces by heart.
If you don't have a piano teacher who can help you with your memorization skills, another trick is to record a video of yourself playing. When you play it back to yourself, you can follow along with your sheet music and make sure that you didn't miss any important parts!
Step Four: Find small, contained opportunities to perform
What I mean by “small” and “contained” is that these are performance opportunities where you only need to play one song as your performance. We’re not creating an entire set list here, folks! We’re practicing your performance skills, not achieving them once and for all. The multi-song set list can absolutely happen, but you’ll be setting yourself up with more confidence and experience if you start small and build when you’re ready.
What are some examples of small, contained performances? Well, it depends on your dream! If you dreamed of playing a show at a bar, maybe you'd sign up for open mic night. If you dreamed of playing in an auditorium in front of people, maybe you'd sign up for a talent show. Whatever your dream is, the point is to try to find some small, easy wins that help build your experience, motivation, and confidence.
Now go get ‘em!