• Store
  • Sign-up
  • Sign-in
Menu
Practising the Piano
  • Home
  • Resources
    • Multimedia eBook Series
    • Online Academy
    • Video Lessons
    • Annotated Study Editions
    • Repertoire Resources
    • Piano Technique Resources
    • Amateur Piano Groups & Clubs
  • Events
    • Calendar
    • Online Events
    • London Piano Courses
    • Practice Clinics
    • Online Performance Workshops
  • Blog
      • Practising
      • Learning Pieces
      • Technique
      • Performing
      • Teaching
      • Archive
  • About Us
    • Help & Support
    • Contact us
HomePerformingWhy Perform as an Amateur?

Why Perform as an Amateur?

By Informance, 2023-06-29 Posted in: Performing

It’s wonderful to see many people taking up the piano or returning to it as amateurs. However, despite approaching their pianistic endeavours with significant energy and enthusiasm, many amateurs limit their playing to themselves at home. They often shy away from playing in front of others, anxious about making mistakes and imagining all manner of judgements from their audience. Although this is perfectly understandable, it is a great shame as it means missing out on sharing something that you are passionate about with others who will appreciate it and support you!

Pianist performing in a masterclass

Benefits of Performing

Performing and practising are very different activities. In performance we need a feeling of abandon and spontaneity, of creativity and going with the punches, whereas practising relies on thoughtful, analytic procedures in which we are constantly evaluating, repeating and refining our results. Not only can performing be an incredibly rewarding experience but it will help you take your musical development to a new level beyond simply playing for yourself.

Practice like it means everything in the world to you. Perform like you don’t give a damn.

Jascha Heifetz

Contrary to what you imagine your audience are thinking, they will not be there waiting for you to slip up. Other pianists know exactly what it’s like to be on the spot and you’re most likely to have their support and encouragement. It may seem dauting and many are nervous to begin with, but it’s common to see anxiety turn to sheer delight and enthusiasm once the ice is broken. This level of energy comes only from sharing with a group.

It’s also easy to become demotivated when playing for oneself. Having goals and dates to work towards, even if they are informal performances, is a great way to avoid getting stuck in a rut. This creates a virtuous cycle in which making consistent progress makes it easier to continue to be motivated.

While not all formats or events offer feedback, it can sometimes be useful to participate in an event such as a masterclass or course where it is offered. This can be particularly useful if you feel there are things holding you back or standing in the way of your musical intentions.

Feedback on a performance at Blonay

How to approach performing?

The best way to approach performing is just to take the plunge! Like most other things in life, the more we do something, the easier and more familiar it becomes. Thankfully there are now so many opportunities ranging from informal meet-up groups (online and offline!) through to masterclasses, courses and examinations.

As a starting point, choose something that feels like a challenge but not too far out of your comfort zone. You could start by recording yourself performing, playing for a teacher in a lesson or for a friend. Then when you’re feeling more confident, perhaps try an informal meet-up group in your area or online if there aren’t any.

There is a natural attainment gap between what one can achieve within the comfort of one’s home and in public (click here for a blog post on this). Therefore, it is essential to be as well prepared as possible laying good foundations from the start and engaging various forms of memory (not just muscle memory) when learning a piece. Closer to the performance, it’s also important to make the shift from a practising mindset to a performing one by practising a performance (more on this is available here and here).

Resources & opportunities

The following are some further resources and ideas to get you started:

  • Join one of our performance opportunities! We offer various formats that provide a chance to perform and get feedback on your playing, including in-person and online performance workshops. Our online workshops also offer you the option to pre-record your performance as a gentle way to start the performance journey and to obtain feedback. Click here to view our events calendar or click here to join our mailing list for notifications of upcoming events.
  • Piano groups – There are many piano groups which offer a variety of formats for sharing your playing, both online and offline. We’ve started compiling a list of groups which can be viewed here.
  • Free articles on performing – Click here to view a listing of articles on our blog relating to performing and preparing for a performance.
  • Learning materials – We have many resources to help you learn pieces including a free email course and an in-depth workshop on deep learning techniques for greater security and confidence in performance.

Do you run a piano-themed group or event?

We’re in the process of building an online directory of resources for amateur pianists, including a listing of opportunities to play for and listen to others. If you run or organise piano-themed groups or events then we’d love to include your group in our listing! Please click here to tell us a bit more about your group.

Are you looking for opportunities to share your playing?

Click here to sign-up to our mailing list and receive a free video on dealing with performance anxiety by Graham Fitch in addition to several other resources that will help you deliver performances that are fulfilling to both you and your listeners!

Tags: concert preparationPerformance Practicepiano groups

Related Posts

Q&A: Exam Preparation

Q&A: Exam Preparation

By Graham Fitch, 2012-10-04
Posted in: Performing, Teaching

A reader sent in the following question, to which I hope I have given an adequate response. Please feel free to leave comments and let's start a discussion on the subject! ***   ***   *** Q. One subject I have always had conflicting feelings about is the preparation before…

Read More

Tags: childrenconcert preparationexam preparationexaminationspreparationprofessionalQ&Ateaching
Q&A: Exam Preparation
The Baroque Urtext Score – A User’s Guide (1)

The Baroque Urtext Score – A User’s Guide (1)

By Graham Fitch, 2011-10-23
Posted in: Practising

Further to last week's post about taking ownership, I thought I might say a few words about this in relation to Urtext scores - of  Bach in particular (click here to view the previous post). Personally, I wouldn't want to play Bach in a romantic way, but I can appreciate,…

Read More

Tags: articulationbeethovenBusoniinterpretationjs bachKrollnotationPerformance PracticePrelude in E flat minorUrtext edition
The Baroque Urtext Score – A User’s Guide (1)
Flexibility in Interpretation

Flexibility in Interpretation

By Graham Fitch, 2015-11-05
Posted in: Inspiration, Performing

There is no one “correct” way to play a piece – the same piece played by different pianists will vary in tempo, timing, pedalling, phrasing etc.

Read More

Tags: Carlo Vidussoclifford curzonEarl WildGeorges CziffraLeon FleisherLiszt La LeggierezzaSchubert Moments MusicauxShura CherkasskyWilhelm Furtwangler
Flexibility in Interpretation
A Make-Up Removal Tip

A Make-Up Removal Tip

By Graham Fitch, 2011-10-08
Posted in: Performing, Practising

Someone once said to me "As long as you are trying to do something, you are not actually doing it", and this resonated with me. When we first start working on a new piece, there is certainly an element of striving. We desperately want our fingers to obey our vision…

Read More

Tags: ann scheinChopinexpressioninspirationinterpretationLeon Fleisher
A Make-Up Removal Tip
On Practising and Performance

On Practising and Performance

By Graham Fitch, 2014-12-21
Posted in: Performing, Practising

I have been writing this blog since March 2011, putting up weekly posts except over Christmas when I take a bit of time off. Before I sign off for the holidays, I would like to leave you with three old posts that I think describe the difference between the opposite states…

Read More

On Practising and Performance

Previous Post

Get Feedback on Your Playing!

Next Post

Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert & Schumann

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

*

One Response to “Why Perform as an Amateur?”

  1. Brian Buchbinder

    2023-06-29 on 2:29 PM

    Thank you. The library near my piano teacher’s home has an excellent piano and offer signups for performance. Like the prospect of a hanging (but with much less at stake) an impending performance focuses the mind sharply. Instead of the brute force method of repetition, an upcoming performance directs one to the problem areas, the rough transitions, the places where for yourself you fake. (Though faking is a part of performance, too. Shhhhhh).

    It also makes interpretation more important. You can imagine what you’d like to convey, but actually conveying it is the trick.

    I know that I’d rather hear a heartfelt live performance, mistakes, slips and all over a perfect recording. I know that my small audience just wants to hear music and loves that I provide it.

    Reply

Sign-up To Our Mailing List!

Sign-up to our email newsletter for free resources, news updates and special offers!

TOPICS

  • Practising
  • Learning Pieces
  • Technique
  • Performing
  • Teaching

LINKS

  • Online Academy
  • Informance
  • Help & Support
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Practising the Piano All Rights Reserved

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Privacy Policy
  • T&Cs
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website.OkMore Information