File Music and stay calm

If you file music as you learn it you will find it much easier to choose pieces for performance, even if that performance is at short notice. A little organisation can save a lot of stress. If this isn't a quote by somebody I would like the credit for it!

The essential information you need when filing your music for future performance is the title of the piece (I always add the key here too if it isn´t part of the title), composer, date or period when it was written, the tempo and the date you started and finished learning the piece. The File it form also contains a section to add details of the original owner of the music in case you need to contact them and ask to borrow it again. This information is all on the top of the form.

Add details of any performnaces of the piece and make a note of any particularly difficult sections as you practice. These are the parts you need to practice first if asked to perform the piece. When it is complete mark in the date of completion, photocopy the music (if you are the owner) and attach the form.

You might decide not to bother with this.. but next time you have to do a sudden performance and you are rushing around trying to remember the pieces you have learned recently, who has the music and whether there were any bits that were very difficult and you don't have time to practice again remember it is here. It won't help you with that particular performance, but it will help make sure you aren't ever in that situation again!

We all need a little 'encouragement' to do things sometimes!