How to Make a Recital Program

You probably already know the feeling when your teacher tells you to get a recital program together or if you're successful, to perform on your own. The feeling is probably recognizable: "What on earth am I going to play?" Whether it's for piano, violin or guitar, it is necessary to plan it thoroughly.

Steps

1. Ask for information. Be sure to know to know approximately how much people you will be playing for. Playing in front of 15 friends is completely different from playing in a hall for 200 people you don't know. Know how long you will have to play. If you have to perform only one or two pieces, you don't really have to plan anything.
2. Know your limits. Really, this is the most important thing to remember. If your recital is one month away from now, don't try to rehearse two piano concerts, that just won't work out. Plus, you probably won't perform with an orchestra.
3. Plan your recital like this:
4. Second hardest piece you know, preferably something loud, fast, well-known or a combination of the three. This is very important, as it warms up your audience. They will be captivated by your abilities and become enthusiastic. Unless you are playing a complete Opus by a famous composer, say Chopin's Op. 9 which consists of several soft and slow pieces, do not start your recital with something soft and poetic, as chances are your audience will become bored.
5. Another piece which harbors one of the three elements mentioned above. This can also be a piece you composed yourself. Make sure it is less loud than the one before.
6. Now is the time for something slow, poetic and subdued. Listening to loud things all the time becomes boring as well. If you're playing for an elderly audience, this can easily last 8 minutes or longer. When performing for a young audience, keep in mind that the average attention arc of a 10-year-old is at most 4 minutes.
7. Repeat step 2 and 3 as long as needed. If there is a break in your recital, make sure to play something virtuosic just before the break.
8. End with the hardest piece you know. Be sure it exists of the three elements above combined. If possible, play your own version of a popular hit, nothing entertains an audience more than a electro or dance hit for solo piano or guitar.

Tips

• Exercise until you are completely fed up with the piece. Only then do you know it well enough to perform it.
• Be optimistic. If you exercise enough, you should be optimistic about your abilities. Certainly be optimistic during your recital.