4 TIPS FOR THE STAGE REHEARSAL

I just returned from a concert tour of Switzerland. Here I am getting ready try out my piano before the concert.

Many of you have asked what it is like to adjust to a different piano for every concert.

In Switzerland I played for example on a Steinway, a Bösendorfer, a Bechstein (with two pedals) and a Yamaha.

Sometimes there is very little time to get to know the instrument, so let me share what I like to do during those precious minutes:

4 tips for the stage rehearsal

Get to know the registers

Each piano has three registers, the treble, the middle and the base. During the hall rehearsal I focus first on getting to know the sound of each register.

Feel the touch

As I listen through the registers I also focus on the feel of the instrument:
How do I make the most beautiful sound, how quickly do the keys repeat, is the keyboard sluggish or quick?
Often there is only little time, but I always focus on the pianissimo of the piano. This will give me a good indication as to how much dynamic range I have and how expressive I can be in concert.

Explore the colors

How many colors does the piano offer? This one is huge. The more color options there are, the more creative the performer can be. I listen carefully to the colors of a piano in the hall.

Try the pedals

Most concert pianos have three pedals, but sometimes a stage will feature an instrument with only two (like the Bechstein piano above). One piece from my Swiss tour uses the middle pedal for a special effect, so on the Bechstein I had to come up with a different plan.

These are just a few ways to get acquainted with a concert piano. Over time one gets better at making good use of the stage rehearsal time, but there are usually some discoveries waiting to happen in performance, which is part of being a pianist.

More time in the hall and on the instrument is better, and I always try to spend as much time as possible on the stage instrument.