Recitals are a unique and exciting opportunity to prepare a piece to share with your family and other students. With all of the songs in the world to choose from, how do you decide what to play?

Here are some tips for selecting your recital song!

Timeline

Try to pick your song at least 2 months in advance. Even more time than that is helpful! This will allow you to break the song down, learn each part, and put it together into one cohesive performance. Give yourself ample time to not only learn the song inside-and-out, but to play it with feel! Get so familiar with the song that you don’t need to think about every note. That will allow your emotions and connections to the music to flow!

Challenge yourself with a selection that will take some work.

The song you choose for the recital will be the focus of many lessons and practice sessions. By choosing a song that gives you a decent challenge, you’ll push yourself forward and develop your musical ability while you learn it! Choosing something too easy, on the other hand, slows your overall progress.

Select a song you can master by the recital.

While challening yourself a little is important, make sure that your song choice is one you can learn front-to-back by the recital date. Choosing something too far beyond your current level can create undue stress. If you’re not sure what songs are in the right “zone” for learniing and master, ask your teacher! They can give you a great idea of how long a song will take you to learn, and how well it suits your abilities.

Get teacher advice.

Your teacher has likely performed in numerous recitals, so ask for their input! They have experience choosing and hearing recital pieces of all kinds and can give you feedback on how your options might feel to play as well as how they might go over with the audience. In addition, they know your musical strengths and interests as well as anyone! Your teacher can guide you to choose a song that you enjoy playing - and that you play beautifully!

Think outside the box.

While you’re always welcome to choose a classic recital piece, you’re also able to pick any song in the whole world! Some students choose their personal favorite pop or rock songs and ask for help arranging them for their instrument and level. You can also take a traditional tune and put a stylistic spin on it. Some students also opt to perform in a duet with another student or their teacher. The sky is the limit, and audiences love to hear a fresh tune or take on a classic.

Pick a song you love.

The most important experience in this recital is YOURS. You are the musician, the growing learner, and the performer. Play a song you love! This will make the whole learning and playing process more enjoyable for you. Those in the audience will have fun if you have fun, and picking a song that’s meaningful to you is a wonderful way to share and express a bit about yourself and what you appreciate.