Performance practice: the missing step in every musician’s practice routine

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Practising performing is one of the most undervalued aspects of being a musician. While countless hours are devoted to perfecting technique, mastering repertoire, and refining musical expression, many musicians neglect the vital skill of performing itself. However, practising performing is an advanced and essential method that bridges the gap between practice room success and stage brilliance.

Why practise performing

Performing is an art and skill that requires its own dedicated practice. A musician can have flawless technical ability but still struggle on stage due to nerves, lack of preparation for audience interaction, or unfamiliarity with real-world performance conditions. Practising performing equips you to:

• Manage stage fright: Familiarising yourself with performance scenarios helps reduce anxiety and builds confidence.

• Refine musical interpretation: Playing for others allows you to test and adjust your interpretative choices based on audience feedback.

• Improve consistency: Learning to deliver under pressure sharpens your ability to perform reliably.

• Simulate real conditions: Real-world distractions, lights, and unexpected sounds can all affect your performance. Practising prepares you for these variables.

The common pitfall: skipping performance practice

Most musicians focus on mastering their pieces alone or playing for friends occasionally. While this is helpful, it’s not enough to fully prepare for the demands of public performance. Effective performance practice starts alone, in a controlled environment, and gradually progresses to include audiences and real-world scenarios.

’The practice sessions must be approached with the same intensity and focus as the actual competition. This trains the mind and body to perform under pressure’— The Mental Game of Baseball: A Guide to Peak Performance by H.A. Dorfman and Karl Kuehl

The steps to practising performing

Step 1: Simulate performance in your practice room.

Begin with the music you already know well. Play through the piece as if you were in a real concert. This means:

• Mimic concert conditions: stand or sit as you would on stage. Imagine the audience in front of you.

• Focus on one perfect attempt: treat each run-through as if it’s the only chance you have, just like in a live performance. If the challenging part of your solo is in the middle of a piece, play the entire section leading up to it to mimic the build-up and pressure.

You’ll likely find that the first time you try this, nerves creep in, and mistakes happen. That’s the point—the process helps you learn to handle the pressure and adjust your mental focus. Repeat this exercise daily until you feel confident delivering a polished performance on the first attempt.

 

Step 2: Record Yourself

Recording yourself adds a layer of accountability. It creates a ’one-shot’ mentality, as every note played is captured for review. Benefits include:

• Objective listening: watching and listening to your recordings allows you to pinpoint areas for improvement, whether it’s technical, musical, or related to stage presence.

• Real-time feedback: comparing your expectations to your actual performance highlights gaps and shows where more practice is needed.

Repeat this process until your recordings consistently meet your expectations.

’Purposeful practice is about striving to improve, concentrating on what you can do better, and challenging yourself beyond your current limits’— Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise by Anders Ericsson

 

Step 3: Raise the bar with physical challenges

As you grow comfortable with performing in your practice room, introduce physical exercises to simulate the adrenaline rush of performing:

• Heart rate exercises: run up and down stairs, jump, or do quick bursts of cardio before immediately performing your challenging piece.

• Focus under pressure: after raising your heart rate, take a deep breath, calm your mind, and play. This exercise trains you to focus despite physical stress, mimicking the heightened energy of live performance.

Doing this regularly, three to five times per day for several weeks, can significantly improve your ability to stay composed under pressure.

 

Step 4: Mock performances for friends or family

Once you’re confident in your private practice, move to small audiences:

• Play for close friends or family: this step adds a layer of accountability, as your mind perceives their judgement.

• Recreate concert conditions: set up the room as if it’s a real concert, complete with proper attire, lighting, and setup.

• Analyse feedback: after the mock performance, reflect on how it felt. Were you as confident as you’d hoped? Did nerves affect your playing?

 

Step 5: Perform for small public audiences

Expand your audience by presenting your repertoire to small community groups, schools, or cultural centres. The stakes feel higher, but this is the perfect time to:

• Embrace mistakes: allow yourself to take risks and even make mistakes. These experiences are invaluable for learning your limits and identifying areas to improve.

• Test interpretations: observe audience reactions to different tempos, dynamics, and expressive choices.

Step 6: Simulate competitive and concert environments

For competitions or major performances, create a schedule of mock concerts months in advance. These should replicate the intensity of the event as closely as possible:

• Perform full programmes: present your repertoire to various small audiences, gradually increasing the pressure.

• Push your limits: with each session, challenge yourself to take more risks. This builds resilience and confidence.

’The quality of practice is critical. Deliberate practice, which involves focused, goal-oriented training, leads to superior performance’ — The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance  by W. Timothy Gallwey

Special considerations for orchestral musicians

Orchestral musicians face unique performance challenges. Rehearsals are often the first opportunity to test your preparation under real conditions. To practise effectively:

• Treat rehearsals as performances: play with focus and intent from the first rehearsal, treating it as a performance.

• Experiment: use rehearsals to explore your limits, test risky passages, and refine your role within the ensemble.

Advanced tips for performance practice

• Record and review body language: pay attention to your posture, gestures, and facial expressions. Confidence on stage is as much about appearance as sound.

• Experiment with audience interaction: practice engaging with the audience through eye contact, smiles, or brief spoken introductions.

• Simulate interruptions: introduce distractions like sudden noises or equipment adjustments to build adaptability.

Conclusion

Practising performing is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of musical preparation. By systematically working through these steps, you can develop the skills needed to shine under pressure and deliver memorable performances. From private practice to public concerts, each stage builds your confidence, resilience, and artistry.

So, start small, raise the stakes gradually, and embrace the journey of becoming a true performer. With dedication and persistence, you can transform your performances and captivate your audiences every time. Remember, the stage is where all your hard work comes to life—practise performing and let your music soar.

Joanna Latała is a Polish-born cellist and researcher specialising in mental training for musicians. Based in Scandinavia, she has performed at venues such as Carnegie Hall and Berliner Philharmonie. In 2023, she founded the platform Achieve Performance Mindset, where she shares insights on performance psychology to help musicians build mental resilience.