Performance Tips For Kids Options

[Ayshah]

I find bowing a bit creepy, to be honest. Our piano teacher tries to get pupils to do it, including me if I happen to be playing, and far from looking good it tends, with most people, to look embarrassed and uncomfortable.

My attitude to bowing is that it's part of the performance, not an optional extra. A smile at the audience and a bow are a silent way of saying "thank you for listening" not "didn't I do well?"! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I'd rather encourage people just to take their applause for a moment then sit down. i can see it's very different for a professional or something high powered though.

Bowing in the context of a performance needs practice just as playing your instrument or presenting your song needs practice. If you don't practise doing it so that it's an automatic response the chances are that it will indeed look embarrassed and uncomfortable. Festivals offer a very good opportunity for practising making a clear announcement of what you are going to play and finishing off your performance with a bow and acknowledgment of your accompanist if any. When bowing, look at your knees, don't leave your head up to look at the audience. If you are holding an instrument (rather than e.g. playing piano) work out beforehand how to bow while holding it, and practise that too.

Their is nothing "creepy" about bowing, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) you should go to more performances/shows and see that this is a normal practice. If I am in the audience and you dont bow it signifies to me that you cant be bothered to acknowledge my attendance. At my childrens school the music director has emphasied the bowing as its the only point that parents are allowed to take photos, so if your child just runs off chances are you dont get a photo and they look foolish as the MD just calls them back to do a proper bow. The year 7s find it difficult but by Year 8 they know its standard practice.

My daughter plays in a jazz band where they each have a solo. When one band member is soloing, the others stand aside so that they "have their moment" and if they have a free hand will also clap the soloist. The soloist always acknowledges the applause with a distinct bow of the head. At the end they all come forward and bow together for 3 counts. Nothing embarassing or creepy about it at all.

I went to see China Moses, (Jazz singer) at Ronnie Scotts and it was a very quiet audience. She sang amazingly and my other half let out a real loud "whoop" of appreciation. China Moses turned to him, bowed deeply and said "why thank you so very much". After that the audience woke up and really rocked in apprecation, she bowed and clapped back at us. We, the audience, appreciated her appreciation.

My singing daughter says that the Russian singers have a perfect curtsey, that is not a "dip". Its one foot well back, so they dont fall over, head bowed not too deep and hand on heart... very theatrical (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) she was taught - hands on knees bend slightly at the waist with head tucked in for five counts. (look at the Beatles) Plus the performer should always thank the acompaniest with a simple open arm guesture in their direction.

[Aquarelle]

Having never made them bow I think if I start now they are going to be embarassed - above all the older ones. Could I start by making them wait until the applause has finished and then smile and say "Thankyou"
It seems that people feel that bowing is an acknowlegement of the fact that the public have listened. ,So perhaps I ought to instigate something but to go from nothing to a proper bow would freak out a lot of mine.
Any other suggestions please?

[jenny]

Having never made them bow I think if I start now they are going to be embarassed - above all the older ones. Could I start by making them wait until the applause has finished and then smile and say "Thankyou"
It seems that people feel that bowing is an acknowlegement of the fact that the public have listened. ,So perhaps I ought to instigate something but to go from nothing to a proper bow would freak out a lot of mine.
Any other suggestions please?

Perhaps you could get them to look around the audience and give a big smile. Or what about a nod of the head - like a half bow? Does that make sense?

[Aquarelle]

Perhaps you could get them to look around the audience and give a big smile. Or what about a nod of the head - like a half bow? Does that make sense?

Yes - that sound like a good idea. I'll try it out in lessons and see how they respond. Thanks!!

[Banjogirl]

Well I'm sorry for thinking it's creepy but I can promise you it's not from lack of experience. I completely agree that if it's going to be done it must be practised and done whole heartedly, but I still there's a time and a place and not every occasion calls for it. At our local and very friendly festival just one child bowed and it looked artificial and inappropriate. By all means applause should be accepted but that doesn't have to mean a bow if the occasion doesn't warrant it or the performer would find it awkward.

In my line of work people bow or not as they feel. Some people chose to bow and do it well but plenty of others don't and their performance is no less good. But the very worst performers are those who think they should bow but either don't want to or don't know how. It makes the audience uncomfortable which is a cardinal sin.

There may be an argument for getting children to bow as a good habit, but I still find it creepy!

[Violin Hero]

I don't bow at the end of a performance but I do smile at the audiance after my performance and wait for their applause to finsh before leaving the stage.