If you plan on performing at a public venue, you’ll need to understand some universal rules of etiquette. This list of do’s and don’ts will help you carry yourself in a professional and amicable manner during your piano recital.
*Dress codes vary according to venue or style, so check with recital coordinators about what to wear.
What to Wear to a Piano Recital
Image © Brandy Kraemer
- Do wear temperature-appropriate clothing; ask about the on-stage conditions before a recital.
- Do wear formal pants (males or females), a skirt (no shorter than knee-length), or a comfortable dress.
- Do wear pedal-appropriate shoes. Avoid high heels, slippery soles, and boots that constrict your ankles.
- Don’t wear fabrics (or jewelry such as earrings) that make noise when you move.
- Ladies: Do wear a top that will keep you covered during an animated performance!
- Gents: Do wear a dressy, yet comfortable shirt. Find out ahead of time if your event requires you wear a formal jacket or tie.
How to Interact With Your Audience
- Do prepare a brief introduction, just in case.
- Do greet your audience, and thank them at the end of your song with a bow or curtsey.
- Do act with humility; conceit is a turn off for most people, and it won’t improve your skills.
- Don’t let bashfulness prevent you from being yourself; you’re on stage because you have something to share, and your audience wants to hear it!
Affecting Your Fellow Musician
- Do keep clean hands; sticky fingers can hurt your performance, and bother the next pianist.
- Do arrive on time; it’s respectful to your audience and your fellow musicians.
- Don’t go crazy with fragrances. Your perfume or cologne will linger around the piano after you leave the stage (especially under hot lights), and it might distract the next pianist.
