Hey there

I've just had two of my pupils take exams (grade 1 and 2). The opportunity has come about for them to perform in a small concert. My friend is putting on the concert for his pupils for their parents to watch and offered to put my two in. Now the grade 2 (I hope!!) pupil will be fine but I've just had a text from the grade 1 that she isn't keen on doing it. I know her very well (seeing as we're related!) and I know she is just nervous but would do it justice if the right words came from me. She's a good player and this would do her good.

How do you encourage your pupils in this area? I know she would really enjoy it if she did it, I just don't want to put her off- I'm not so great with words

xx

Have you thought about suggesting a duet together. That might give her confidence and be fun. You could even use one of her grade 1 pieces and you just put in a few simple chords (as little as possible really!)

My very first recital piece was a duet with my teacher

She probably just needs the comfort of knowing someone is there supporting her and ready to 'cover' if she goes astray

If she really doesn't want to do it, perhaps you could get her to come along and watch - hopefully she will realise that it isn't that scary...

Thanks for your replies.

She took Clarinet grade 1 so I would be accompanying her anyway but I will try and treat it more like a 'duet' than me accompanying her. I wont force her to do it, no point in making her worked up over it but it would be lovely and good experience- probably a chance she wont get again for a while!

She's seen concerts and people perform before....but probably hasn't watched it from a 'performers' perspective so if she does decide she doesn't want to do it I will take her to watch anyway.

Funny thing is she is in a small school concert tomorrow in a group tomorrow playing the clarinet. She's done a few of those but nothing solo as of yet. Hopefully I will be able to persuade her. She's rather like me in her ways and I know that the nerves do paralyze but the buzz afterwards is worth all the nerves.

xx