Coping with Varying Acoustics

Hello Greg,
How do you cope with different pianos and acoustics at various venues? Any advice on that? Is it reasonable to expect one to be able to give a splendid performance on a totally new instrument with little time to try it out - if it's even a decent instrument!!
 - candidman

Dear Candidman,

Great question! Varying concert hall acoustics (wet, dry, bad projection, misleading dynamics, etc.) and pianos (heavy action, light action, uneven action, bass-heavy, weak sound, etc.) can make for some pretty horrifying experiences as a concert pianist!

Interestingly enough, the unpredictability of it all bothers me less and less with each performing experience. What's important -- what really matters -- is that I connect with the audience. Most of the time, audience members could care less about uneven articulation or bass-heavy performance, and if I dwell on the pitfalls of the circumstances too long, I lose the ability to deliver a truly engaging performance.

Having said that, of course I adopt to the particulars of the venue: more pedal in dry acoustics, slower tempos in wet acoustics, nicer tone on harsh pianos, etc. But none of this is particularly intentional or thought out. Whenever I'm performing, I do my best to *listen* to the music I'm creating -- I listen, rather than rely on any practice room plan. This ability to live in the moment completely shapes my performance and keeps the music spontaneous, and as an added perk I'm continually reacting to any conditions related to the venue or the piano.

Happy adapting!

- Greg

Overcoming Stage Fright

Dear Greg,
I'm 14 years old and has been participating in small competitions for 3 years, performing roughly 4-5 times a year. Last year, I entered a big competition (which I've never experienced before) and managed to get into the final round. However, my nerves got the better of me during my performance of the sonata for the final round and I did not win. I am not obsessed with winning any competition (I don't really mind losing, as long as the experience has been of some benefit) but after the competition experience, I am afraid to attempt such large competitions or to play a sonata in front of an audience again. Can you please give me some honest suggestions in how to overcome such a fear or should I simply stop entering competitions anymore (maybe for the next few years)? Thanks, Greg and I love your playing! XD
 - Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

Nerves are definitely a part of the performing process. Most of the time, I consider nerves to be a wonderful thing; they keep my performances exciting by giving me just the bolt of adrenaline I need. On rare circumstances, however, they can be downright detrimental!

I've actually found that the less I think about my fears, the better! I used to have a pre-concert routine worked out (to simmer my fears), but I found that it was just a waste of time and it made me more nervous. (Besides, things never went as planned, and that just ruffled my feathers even more.) Instead, I acknowledge that I'm afraid and walk on stage and have a blast.

It really only takes a brief, concentrated moment and a couple deep breathes to center oneself. From there, sit down at the piano and fall in love with the music all over again.

- Greg

Piano Pedagogy

Hi Greg,
I'm presently working on my ARCT...I'm 46....have a B.MUS. and B.ED (from University of Victoria).... I teach general music and band in the school system full time. I'm also a pro french horn player with Symphony New Brunswick, have 15 private piano students and am a mother to 3 amazing children ages 16, 11 and 8. Could you give me some tips on things I really need to study and know thorougly? I've read quit a few books on piano pedagogy....any specific recommendations on reading material? thanks for any insight you can give me. For my ARCT....I'm doing the teacher's part in June and the playing part in August. I travel 90 min 2X a month for piano lessons
 - Cynthia Munn

Dear Cynthia,

Gosh. Cynthia, I have no idea what you should or shouldn't know, and I've never read any books on piano pedagogy.

My only bit of advice: don't lose sight of music's purpose.

Why do you play piano? Why do you think your students should play piano?

Here's my personal answer:

Music brings me great joy. It connects me to the world. For me, music serves as a portal to possibility, to an aesthetic environment that fosters human connection. For me, music is the means to the beauty, the spiritual essence, and the humanity that overwhelm this world.

Music makes life worth living.

I hope that you and your students play the piano for similar reasons!

- Greg

Performance Beyond Playing

Dear Greg,
In a few months, I will be performing for at a very large event. I would like my fun piece to not only sound great, but be entertaining to watch as well. Do you have any advice on how to work with the audience when performing (regarding facial expressions, etc.)? Is there any special "choreography" that I should take note of when performing a piece (for example, lifting hands off the piano at a certain time when the piece is done)? Do you know any resources that I could use to aide me in the process? Your advice is greatly appreciated!
 - Caitee

Dear Caitee,

I would never endorse facial expressions or choreography unless the music demands it. There's nothing worse than watching a pianist artificially throw their limbs into the air because they think it may entertain the audience.

I suggest you start at the root of the issue versus its surface. Instead of asking what sorts of gimmicks and tricks you can utilize to "entertain" the audience, ask yourself how you can heighten the impact of the music. Most of your energy should go straight back into the music itself; you should be performing every piece as if it's the last time anyone in the world will ever listen to it.

Only after you've uncovered exactly what makes the music tick will other facets of the performance become clear. If for some wild reason, you end up tossing a sexy glance to the audience, it will be because you had no choice but to toss a sexy glance to the audience. It will be something the music demands of you; not something you decided to do because you thought it would be cute. Likewise, your outfits should be dictated by your interpretation of the music and not by whichever outfit may generate the biggest gasp from your audience.

Sabre Dance or A New Account of the Blue Danube Fantasy are unusual because they demand some visual performance as well as musical, but in most pieces you'll find that contorting your face and flailing your limbs are unnecessary and artificial. In the end, if you do your job, if you do what the music demands of you, you will entertain your audience.

- Greg

Preparing to Perform

Greg,
Could you outline what is involved in preparing mentally and physically for a solo performance? Furthermore, as I am a shy person by nature, I suffer from nerves in performance situations. If you have and information or advice on ways to overcome this, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
Juvena

Dear Juvena,

You've asked a very tricky question to answer. Over the years, I've actually found that the less I think about nerves, memory, and pre-concert preparation, the better! I used to have a pre-concert routine worked out, but I found that it was just a waste of time and it made me more nervous. Instead, I now acknowledge my nerves, but I don't dwell on them. I try to stay focused and secluded, but I'm easy going and allow for "emergencies." I try to find time to warm up, but I don't get my undies in a bunch if I can't.

It really only takes a brief, concentrated moment and a couple deep breathes to center oneself. If you make a big deal out of it, chances are things won't go the way you planned and you'll walk onstage flustered and frustrated. I prefer to walk onstage without any expectations, but ready to seize the moment.

Most important of all, remember to enjoy the music!

- Greg

Plans for Upcoming Release

Dear Greg,
I scurried to your website, hoping to spot a CD or DVD of Ligeti's Etude Nº 13. But alas, nothing. When can I expect a cluster of these types of contemporary virtuosic works to come out on a CD/DVD?
 - Mark

Dear Mark,

Wow! You're the third person to ask about an upcoming CD within the span of two days! Read the previous two questions and answers for a small taste of what's to come. I do not plan to feature the Ligeti etude you heard me play (I have my reasons), but instead, you can expect to find works by Villa-Lobos, Bolcom, Stravinsky, Schulhoff, and me. There will be more -- as I mentioned below, some Bach -- but I don't want to give away too much just yet. This is not the only project on my plate at the moment (there are a number of Anderson & Roe Piano Duo projects keeping me busy, in addition to more videos, compositions, and music for five pianos), so please be patient. I'm estimating a release date in two to three years. I promise it will be worth the wait!

Thank you so much for your interest. I'll keep posting updates and andersonpiano.com as the project progresses.

- Greg

Recording "Sheep May Safely Graze"

Dear Greg,
I've recently found your Youtube posting of "Sheep may safely graze", and it's absolutely blown me away. I've been a Bach fan / player for years (only amateur), but I wasn't even aware of the Petri transcription until I saw your video. I've lost count of the dozens of times that I've repeatedly played it over the past month - your rendition just leaves me speechless (I've ordered myself a copy of the score, too!) Is it available on CD/DVD, and if it isn't, could you please please please release something with it on? I'm more thankful for your music than words can express.

Dear Anonymous,

Thank you for your touching and heartfelt message. I love so many things about what I do -- especially connecting deeply with people on a regular basis.

The performance you heard on YouTube is not available on CD/DVD at the moment, but you are in luck! It is one of the few pieces currently in my repertoire that I plan to record for my upcoming CD project. I'm very excited about the project; it promises to provoke and surprise its listeners through a juxtaposition of familiar (and not-so-familiar) works for piano. With so much going on, it will be a while before everything is learned and recorded -- up to two or three years -- but it will definitely be worth the wait!

- Greg

Recording "The Devil's Staircase"

Dear Greg,
I heard your execution of devil's staircase and i loved it. I didn-t find it on your cd. Is it possible to buy it? if it isn't, could you recommend me another interpretation ? thank's, sorry for my english, love your music... so marvellous moments.... french girl, Véro.

Dear Véro,

Thank you for your super kind words! Ligeti's etudes are really awesome and I heartily recommend you try listening to them all. Pierre-Laurent Aimard's recording of the etudes is my favorite.

I haven't professionally recorded any myself, but I'm busy working on a new recording project that may excite you. I'll slowly reveal more and more details on my site as the project materializes.

- Greg

"Oblivion" Score

Hi Greg,
Wonderful arrangement of 'Oblivion'. Is your arrangement published by any chance? Available for sale? I am playing with a flutist, would love to have your arrangement, maybe transposed for flute?
 - Josephine Yung

Dear Greg,
where can i buy sheet music which is "Oblivion" by Astor Piazzolla, arranged for EUPHONIUM and PIANO by Greg Anderson? i am a euphonium player. i want to put this music at my concert.
 - No Name

Dear Josephine and No Name,

My arrangement of Piazzolla's Oblivion is available for purchase here, along with scores of other, erm, scores. :-)

- Greg

"Star Wars Fantasy" Score

Dear Greg,
I am 12 and love playing the piano and practicing (which I understand you love to do as well). I am also a huge Star Wars aficionado and am captivated by your Star Wars Fantasy impression 1. Is it possible to obtain the sheet music so I can try to play it?

 - Alex Wagner

Dear Alex,

I'm so happy you like the first impression! (My personal favorite is #2 ... or is it #4...?) Anyway, there are copyright issues that must be cleared before we can sell the scores to the fantasy. I'll do my best to get on top of those issues, but with all the exciting things going on at the moment, I can't promise it will be in the near future. I'll email the mailing list when that day comes, but in the meantime, there are a number of other scores available for purchase that I encourage you to consider! Visit the scores page for more information.

Best wishes,

Greg