We understand that learning a skill requires practice. Each time your child sits down to work on their current repertoire, they are refining the specific skills needed to play their pieces, as well as practicing general skills to play their instrument. When we enjoy the live music performed by the professionals we appreciate most, we think of the hours they’ve spent honing their craft. It is easy to overlook the experience they have being on stage, a related but separate skill that requires managing not only musical knowledge but the emotions that come with sharing music publicly.
By taking time to record and share their work, our young musicians get to practice performing in a safe space - right at home! It can be both amusing and frustrating to hear them play it smoothly during their practice, but once they know that red button has been pushed, it becomes less steady. Whether this is an indication of the presence of performance pressure or revealing a place in their music that is less secure than they thought, they are learning - and practicing - important skills.
Here are some best practices for a stellar video (h/t to Christopher Goldston):
Dress nicely - it's a performance! Wear shoes, especially if you are using the pedal.
Pick a good angle. The video should be in profile (the viewer should see the side of the performer, not the face), as though we are watching a recital. A static camera is helpful.
Take the video in landscape.
Face and fingers should be seen, as well as the feet if possible.
The camera on the back of a phone is better quality than the front.
Unclutter background for professional looking video.
Have a quiet background - no cooking sounds, phone, barking dogs - make the video at a quiet time.
No need to announce your piece - just play!
Start with hands in your lap, and end with your hands in lap - allow three seconds of silence at the beginning and end of each video.
Sit up tall, smile, and play your best.
