10 Steps To Start Learning The Art of Performance

Whether you’re an experienced instrumentalist, or a beginner vocalist, performing in front of a crowd can be intimidating. Even some of the most prolific performers of the century experienced stage fright and nervousness right before a big show. That’s why learning how to perform is an important skill to cultivate if you’re looking to enter the music industry as a professional.

There is plenty to know about being a good performer. This blog will take you through three major stages of performance preparation, with a total of 10 steps for you to follow as you come closer to becoming a performer.

Keep in mind that it’ll take you a couple of shows for you to start getting comfortable in front of an audience, so be patient with yourself as you start this exciting chapter of your musical journey.

Performance 101

If you’re new to music and wish to build a foundation for your art, here’s how you go about it.

1. Find The Right Classes

Begin with much-needed research into music lessons or courses that appeal to you. Whether you want to specialize in a genre or learn an instrument, we recommend enrolling in music courses for beginners.

For example, singers and flute players will be taught breath control, posture, and other rudimentary components.

2. Learn Music Theory

You should also consider learning music theory because that’s the language through which you’ll be able to communicate with other performers. You’ll also understand music a lot more clearly, and knowing the technicalities can significantly improve how confidently you perform.

3. Practice The Basics

We cannot stress this enough, but cultivating a skill–even beyond music–requires an investment on your part. In this case, you’ll need to invest time to build muscle memory and refresh your skills for the stage.

Not sure where to begin your musical journey? You might want to check out The Young Musician Music Institute in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. From music theory lessons to performance master classes, we’ve got a wide range of courses available for musicians of all ages.

Preparation Before The Performance

If you’ve done your homework, you’d have cultivated some expertise that’ll allow you to technically play well on stage. But being technically sound isn’t the same as putting on a good show. So here’s what you need to do.

1. Familiarize Yourself With The Venue

It’s always a good idea to check out the venue where you’re performing well in advance. That’ll give you an idea of what to expect on the day of the performance. If possible, try to rehearse at the venue at least once before the big day. You’ll get an idea of how much space you have and how to use it.

This also helps with the nerves, so make the most of it before the performance.

2. Connect With The Music

If you’re not feeling it while on stage, the audience won’t either. So make sure that whatever music you’re performing resonates first with you, the performer. Only then will it translate to the audience that’s come to watch you.

We suggest you take your time listening to the music and try to remind yourself why you wrote the piece in the first place. With practice, this, too, will come easier.

3. Rest The Night Before

We cannot stress this enough. Resting the night before a performance is a really important part of putting on a great show. Remember, burnout is real, even for musicians, no matter how passionate you may be about your craft.

If you’re going to be singing on stage, make sure to rest your throat before the show. If it’s an instrument that you’ll be playing, you shouldn’t practice excessively the night before. Stay hydrated, and get your sleep to be in the best shape for your big day.

The Day Of the Performance

Now that the day has finally arrived, you might find yourself fidgety or nervous. But that’s completely normal, even more so if it’s your first performance. Our advice? Don’t let your anxious thoughts overshadow the excitement of what’s to come. Take long, deep breaths to center yourself. And before you know it, you’ll be rocking out on stage!

1. Be Confident

First impressions are crucial in the music industry, so do your best to open confidently. Take the initial minute or two of the show to introduce yourself and other artists performing with you. Take a moment to breathe if you need to. And be ready to give the crowd your best.

If you make mistakes during your performance, keep going. Remember that you’re the expert here, and as long as you can keep performing, chances are no one will even notice.

2. Engage With Audience

Some of the best musical performances in history have been when the performers engaged directly with the crowd. Think about what performances resonated with you when you were in the crowd. Chances are, the artists engaged the audience from the very start.

When on stage, get the crowd to join in on the performance. Look at the performances of David Bowie, Madonna, and Freddie Mercury for inspiration.

3. Let Your Passion Shine!

When you’re up on stage and feeling overwhelmed with all sorts of emotions, remember that this is the moment you’ve been working so hard for. Remind yourself of how far you’ve come from where you once started. And it wouldn’t have been possible without the passion for music that you’ve nurtured.

Hold your ground, and perform your heart out. That’s how the audience will remember you.

4. Move Forward

No matter how much you practice, however many sound-checks you do, there’s always a chance that something might go wrong during your performance. And that might make you lose your focus or forget the words.

In any case, learn to forgive yourself for any mistakes and move on. Every performer has a rough day, so don’t be so hard on yourself. And if you can take your mistakes and learn something from them, then nothing can stop you from becoming a great musician and performer.

 

If you’d like to begin learning the art of performance from a reputable institution, you should look into The Young Musician Music Institute situated in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. They offer music classes on various instruments, music theory, and performance. You can also take their singing classes, piano lessons and drums classes.

You can also purchase study materials and instruments using a gift voucher and receive a discount. Should you need more information on the classes being offered at the institute, you can either email your queries to [email protected] or leave a message for us with your contact details.