Are you a music student who needs to prepare an online audition video, festival/competition video, or YouTube video? Or do you just want to share your music performance with family that lives far away? If you have a smartphone or tablet, it seems like it should be so easy to grab that perfect take and go...but it doesn’t always work that way.
Producing a high quality video used to be only for musicians with a lot of resources. Now, most of us have the basic tools we need. However, before you begin, read on for a checklist to save time and mental performance energy before and during the recording process so you create that perfect video snapshot of your playing.
Pre-production (before you record):
Look all around the area that will be in the camera’s view. Is it neat, with no random objects (keys, music, phone) lying around?
Is the area well-lit? Remember to light behind the performer to avoid a halo effect, which makes it difficult to see. This often happens when a window is behind the subject.
Listen to the sounds of your environment. Can you turn off A/C, heat, fans, washer/dryer, etc.? Ask family members to avoid opening/closing doors and walking around. (Don’t forget pets!)
Set your devices to do not disturb mode! (It is so frustrating to be at the end of a perfect take and have a spam call destroy the video.)
Frame your shot, taking into consideration the requirements of the video. For example, if you are a pianist, are you required to show both your hands and feet in the video? If at all possible, use a tripod or another fixed platform instead of holding the recording device, and be sure your device is level. If you are using a phone, using landscape mode will avoid that narrow, “I recorded this on my phone” camera view.
Do a sound check! Play a few measures which include both ends of your dynamic spectrum (louds and softs), and listen to the recording, verifying that the soft sounds are still heard, and the loud sounds are free of distortion.
Pre-recording set-up can be the most tedious part of a good recording! If you feel like it is taking a long time to set-up, it probably means you are doing it correctly. Professional musicians and recording engineers can take several hours just setting up. You don’t need to do that, but taking 10-15 minutes before you start to play can make a HUGE difference in the final recording.
Production (recording):
Allow a few seconds of the camera rolling before you start, so you have some flexibility in your final edit.
Think about the most challenging part of your piece, hear it in your head to set the tempo, and then begin to play.
If you make a mistake, KEEP GOING! We tend to feel like our mistakes are much worse than they are. You may find that the best take is the first one.
Try to keep the number of takes (recording attempts) to @ 2-4. If you are not happy with the result, take a quick break before you try again.
Remember, a “perfect” take, with no mistakes, can feel “flat” and lack feeling or musicianship. Your goal is to find a balance between that perfect take and that high energy, moving performance that showcases all of your hard work. Enjoy the process - recording can be exhausting, but it’s also a lot of fun!