YouTube Performance Video “How-to” Checklist

1. Shoot video horizontally/landscape style

2. Shoot the video with an “audience view”. It will be farther away than a lesson view.
The majority of your body should be visible when you bow - be sure your head is not
cut off.

3. Shoot one video for each piece you’re playing. Do not combine two or more pieces into
one video. Check lighting to be sure you’re not a “shining org of light or a dark shadow”.

4. Include about 3-5 seconds of “lead time” before you begin to play, this will make my
video editing easier. Also leave 3-5 seconds of “lag time” at the end of the each video.

5. Make your “piano area” look as neat as possible. Remove any piled up books, pens, etc.
from the top of the piano.

6. Wear recital appropriate “dress-up” clothes for the video. Even though we are videoing
ahead of time, this is still a special occasion, please dress accordingly.

7. Plan your page turns: “hire” a family page turner or have your pages copied to avoid
page turns. Practice with your page turner or copied pages before you video. If you’re
playing from memory or don’t have page turns, disregard.

8. Exhibit your best stage etiquette, just as if you were performing live : best posture,
freeze hands briefly over the keys at the end of the piece. Don’t let your body leave the
bench or hands leave the keys before the music ends.

9. Stand and bow after your final musical selection. Do not bow after every piece.
Imagine there is an audience in front of you clapping. Smile and bow just as if it were a
live performance. Be sure your bow faces the camera.

10. You can do more than one “video take”, but it shouldn’t be stressful. The videos can
have a “live music” feel, which means small imperfections are ok. Simply play your best,
just as a live performance. Focus on the enjoyment of sharing your music and
communicating a feeling or emotion with your music. If you do multiple takes, perhaps
choose the best of 3 videos. If videoing doesn’t go well, try coming back to it later in the
day or the next day if time allows. Try to find the joy in this process! J

11. If your video or videos are less than 3 minutes each, send via text. If longer, contact me
for other submission options.

Melissa Willis Music 2020 www.melissawillismusic.com