If the bench is too close or too far, stand up and move it to the position that allows for feet to remain flat on the floor.
Stretching fists to the fall board with straightened arms is typically the correct distance and promotes a straight spine.
Look for the pedal. It's SO frustrating when half way through a performance you realize you are lowering the wrong pedal. Feel free to tip your head to locate the correct pedal with your eyes. Never assume your foot found the correct one!
Use middle C as a marker to help locate the correct placement of your hands.
Check in with the minds ear: audiating or internally hearing the first measures of the piece to be played will help you set the correct tempo.
Beginning a performance with these first two "P's" should help you to feel at ease and remain confident on the bench despite the pressure of the upcoming performance.
This is a good time to remember to align yourself with the "zone" required to perform. Perhaps the best way for you to experience this zone is by recording several run-throughs of a piece with a video camera.
Taking a video closely simulates the pressure of a live audience and can equip you with the focus needed to move through a performance successfully--mistakes and all!
Time out...
What defines a successful performance?
We'd all like to play the piece exactly how it's gone in practice with all the dynamics and notes in place with musicality and confidence.
Do you find that what you hope for in a performance and what actually occurs is not what you intended? If so, you are not alone!
Sometimes--to our surprise--the performance can be better than expected! If that's frequently the case for you, you are meant to perform and congratulations!
For most, an actual performance may not go as planned. Your hands may be sticky from nerves or the piano may sound completely different from yours at home, or a sour note may poke its ugly head in a surprising place where it's never been heard before or...
You know all the distractions there can be. Performing is truly a test of will. You MUST continue and play forward and appear that everything is fine even when it's not. It requires a game face and tenacity and the will power to recover.
Expect bumps in a performance. Video a run-though and play through any mistakes. Forcing yourself to forgive and forget is essential to an overall positive performance experience. Carry on...
Playing a musical instrument is an achievement.
Performing on a musical instrument in front of others is a major feat that should make you beam with pride.
This is not the time for a stern face or even a show of disappointment despite a possible less than perfect performance.
Making mistakes is human but recovering from them with style qualifies as a stellar performance.
In addition, no one in the room could have played it better than you! A warm smile exuding your pride in what you shared at the keys is your gift to yourself.
It's a natural response for an audience to show appreciation for a performance with applause.
The dazzle of bright lights and deafening cheers may rattle you.
Be ready to receive your glowing support by being polite and acknowledging the applause with a bow.
A bow may be an unfamiliar act.
Cut yourself in half with an arm, or place your hand on the nearby piano, bend over and slowly say "hippopotamus" while looking down at your toes.
To avoid looking like a turtle, keep looking down and not up at the audience. Stand up tall and retrieve any books from the piano rack.
Credit to Leila Viss for the helpful information. https://www.leilaviss.com/blog/teaching-tips/five-ps-and-ten-tips-for-sparkling-performances?rq=The%20five%20P%27s%20of%20performing