Chez le Docteur by Satie: Lesson Ideas

6. Performance

Try to recreate the performance situation as similar as possible to what it is going to be in the exam/concert, maybe by asking your pupil to organise a small home concert for a family member, school assembly performance or by recording themselves playing. Before the start of the piece, it is important to hear the first few bars of the piece in their 'inner voice', focusing on the character, spirit and tempo of this particular work. Sometimes it is a good idea to ask your pupils to see if they can sing or whistle these first few notes, being aware of the piano introduction. 

You can also introduce the meaning of 'Assez Vif' to your pupil - rather fast, played very rhythmically. One of my favourite musical works for strings that has the same marking is the second movement of the String Quartet in F Major by Ravel. Ask your pupil to listen to both pieces and compare them.