Performance Etiquette for Beginner Student Instrumentalists: What to Do Onstage and During Recordings

As you progress in your flute journey, there will come a time when you get the opportunity to showcase your playing—whether in a casual setting for family and friends, a more formal student concert, or even a recorded performance for auditions, exams, or social sharing.

While much of your focus may be on getting the music right, it’s important to remember that stage presence and performance etiquette are skills of their own—separate from your flute technique. These small details can make a big difference in how your performance is received and how confident you appear.

🎭 Onstage Etiquette Tips for Beginner Flute Performers

• Walk on stage with confidence. Move slowly, with your head held high and a friendly smile. Once you reach your spot (usually behind or beside the music stand), pause and take a small bow to acknowledge and thank your audience.

• Don’t stop mid-performance. If you make a mistake, keep going! Most audience members won’t notice unless you draw attention to it by stopping, talking or apologising. Continuing on smoothly helps preserve the mood and professionalism of your performance.

• If there's applause between movements, simply look up and smile. A small nod is a nice way to acknowledge the audience without breaking focus. Once you’ve finished the entire piece, step slightly away from the music stand, bow slowly with a big smile, and count silently to three before rising again.

• Acknowledge your accompanist. If someone has performed with you (like a pianist or other ensemble member), gesture toward them with your hand to include them in the applause and appreciation.

• Exit the stage calmly. Just like when entering, take your time and walk off the stage with confidence and poise.

Even if you feel the performance didn’t go perfectly, remember that live performance is about connection, not perfection. Staying calm, kind, and grateful on stage leaves a lasting positive impression—and it’s a skill that gets better every time you do it.

And there you have it! Those are some of the onstage etiquette tips I share with my flute students as they begin their performance journey.

Happy fluting and I'll see you in the next blog post!

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