CUSMPF04A: Prepare self for performance
This unit covers the technical and creative skills developed through rehearsal and private practice. It deals with planning and continual performance evaluation, repertoire knowledge and the application of OHS principles.
Plan for performance
- Prepare a plan for performance to ensure performance readiness to required standard
- Where relevant prepare instrument and/or equipment for performance and where necessary adjust these to venue requirements
- Where necessary, obtain all relevant texts and/or scores for self and, where required, for others
- Plan time for adequate warm up procedure to ensure physical readiness for the performance
- Prepare to meet the required state of concentration and focus in performance
- Plan appearance to meet the musical context and/or requirements of the presenter
- Meet requirements for performance duration as required
Practise instrument and/or act
Maintain personal practice to achieve the required standard for the rehearsal process and the performance
Develop technical facility and address performance issues and weaknesses during private practice sessions to achieve the required standard for rehearsal and performance
Develop instrumental/voice techniques to improve performance outcomes
Develop interpretation of the piece, or pieces, in private practice and adjust as necessary as a result of rehearsal or discussion with other performers or creative peers and/or leaders
Prepare specific strategies to overcome performance anxiety as required
Monitor technical and artistic development to meet rehearsal and performance requirements
- Seek and take advice on own performance readiness from others and implement changes where necessary
- Listen critically to own performance and the performance of others to inform own work
- Continuously evaluate performance for technical, artistic and interpretive strengths and weaknesses and adjust own performance to achieve the required sound
- Respond to other players and adjust own performance in ensemble as required to produce agreed performance outcomes
- Discuss specific issues in developing the required performance standard with others as appropriate
Observe OHS principles in private practice
- Establish practice routines to ensure correct posture and movement to minimise strain on the body
- Ensure that practice sessions are of a suitable length to avoid fatigue and mental or physical stress
- Perform warm up exercises as part of the practice routine
- Apply principles of OHS in physical stance and posture during practice sessions and performance
- Plan and take reasonable breaks for refreshment and relaxation
Use body effectively and safely
- Use body effectively to sustain the performance effectively over a required length of time
- Assess and monitor body to realise its own potential and limitations and maximise performance
- Avoid danger of injury both to self and others through controlled use of body to maximise performance
- Note possible stresses and strains of activity on specific parts of the body and take suitable preventative measures to minimise them
- Where damage is done or suspected, seek advice promptly from appropriate sources and take recommended remedial action
Develop and use strategies to overcome the effects of performance anxiety
- Identify the symptoms and likely causes of performance anxiety
- Identify and implement a range of strategies to overcome performance anxiety to suit own needs and circumstances
- Evaluate the effectiveness of strategies used to overcome performance anxiety and modify those strategies where necessary
