Eight to five weeks out
All three pieces should be playable end to end, even if not yet polished. Technical work goes into the daily warm-up so it becomes automatic rather than something to cram. Supporting tests get five minutes a session.
Four to two weeks out
Switch from practising to performing. Play the whole programme in one sitting, in order, without stopping to fix mistakes. Record it once a week and listen back. Play for family, for friends, for the dog — anyone who makes it feel slightly like a performance.
The final week
Reduce, don't cram. Keep sessions short, keep tempos comfortable, and don't try to fix anything new. Check strings are fresh but not brand new, pack a spare set, a tuner and a plectrum, and plan to arrive early.
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