Hi all, I'll be performing at a festival (Singapore Performers' Festival; anyone else here taking part?) this saturday, playing the piano.

I will be playing 2 pieces, and I was wondering what's the proper way to stand at the piano, bow, receive applause at the end of the 1st piece (if any!)...

Would someone be so kind as to run through with me the protocol of a performance? I'm really quite clueless. I won't be holding scores, as the festival requires pianists to perform from memory.

Hi, I haven't performed in festivals, but from what I've seen from live performances, the pianist enters the stage and bows to acknowlege the audience. After the first piece, they stand and bow again to acknowledge the applause. The same is repeated for the second piece.

They normally stand to the front of the stage a little way away from the piano stool. Some stages have a mark that you stand on, so look out for that too.

If you have to introduce your pieces speak loudly and clearly enough for all to hear (depending on the size of the room/hall), giving the title of the piece and the composer.

Hope this is of some help Enjoy the festival. Which pieces are you playing?

thanks for your prompt response Daisy! I was going to copy Angela Hewitt's way of bowing by placing my left hand on the edge of the piano while bowing, but your way sounds much better. btw, where should my hands be placed when bowing?

I'll be playing the 1st movt from Mozart's Sonata in C, K309, and Poulenc's Novelette no. 2 in B flat minor.

Yes, I was going to say some performers place their left hand on the piano!

Hold you hands clasped loosely in front of you, and look as relaxed as you can..even if you're not!

Nice pieces too. Let us know how it goes

The adjudicators will be the Singapore Conservatory professors of piano, including Marian Hahn from USA. So it might get a little nerve-wrecking. Thankfully 4 of my best friends will be in the audience rooting for me.

Or should I place my hands behind my back...? Loosely clasped may give people the impression that I'm nervous...

There is more ... You then leave the stage. If the audience keeps clapping you come back for a second and a third bow, if they give you a standing ovation and STILL keep clapping after your third bow you have to come back and play an encore. (Of course some pianists ensure the encore by hurrying back the each time they sense the applause is diminishing!)

Finally a pretty girl comes on stage and gives you a bunch of flowers.

Make sure you drop your head fully when you bow, it looks stupid if you try and keep looking at the audience!

The Poulenc is going to be fantastic to finish off (assuming you really nail it). A nice smile helps too (especially fitting I think for that particular Poluenc)!

Your facial expressions are more likely to give nerves away! I would go for the hands in front Have a practice of either way and decide which you're most comfortable with.




Trust me to forget the most important bit

Thanks all! I think it's going to quite enjoyable since I'm playing 2 pieces I love, especially the Poulenc, which I've been playing for nearly 3 years.

I shall ask my friend who's playing cello for today's festival (it's strings today) about what he did about the bowing and all.

I always feel sorry for the female soloist at the end of a concert, the male soloists tend to get a bottle of something, whereas the female ones get a bunch of flowers shoved in their faces.