Tremble...tremble...tremble..., Controlling nerves Options

[Cellona]

Hi everyone!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Thanks so much for all the tips! Think Kerioboe's idea of asking pupils to be accompanists may be a good one. Once pupils play more often on stage, they will be more at ease, at least as accompanists, they can psycho themselves that audiences are more interested to listen to the soloists.

Sarah-flute, since you are a medical student, I'd like to hear from you : I understand that there was a piano teacher who asked a G8 pupil who had failed G8 exam twice to take a tablet to control the flow of adrenaline before she entered the exam studio to take her G8 exam the 3rd time. I think this is not advisable at all....what do you think? And all of us who were listening to him relating the story were curious what that medicine was... I'm not FOR this method at all but I'm still curious what side-effects do these tablets have all these years.

[sarah-flute]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) Suzy's the med student, I am not clever enough (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

I have no doubt she'll know what you're talking about. Could be beta blockers??? But I don't know. And for what it's worth *I* don't think it's a good idea - but I am not a med student (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Gae]

Let's face it, getting up on stage in front of dozens or hundreds of people to have every detail of you and your musical ability scrutinised is one of the most "unnatural" things to do, so naturally the body goes into "survival" mode and the adrenalin starts pumping big time. I have suffered from terrible nerves the few times I've played as a soloist and/or in exams and I prefer to be an accompanist which doesn't bother me that much to be honest. I have accompanied various Local Amateur Dramatic groups and played in a couple of Festivals etc. I was lucky the few times I played as a soloist as the music was quite easy so even though the fingers were shaking I got through the music fine and on the surface, probably looked fine. I guess some people have more confidence than others and are naturally "extrovert" depending on their personality/background etc. I remember a past teacher once telling me that if you are nervous when performing in front of someone, it means that you haven't learnt the music properly and aren't confident with it. Although I agree with this observation to an extent, I have performed pieces that I knew with my eyes closed and yet still felt terrified performing them in public. I guess having a father who used to stand over me while I practiced as a a child and criticise everything I played hasn't helped me either!! The fear of being criticised/scorned/mocked etc, is still there somewhere deep in the psyche! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Gae

[sarah-flute]

I remember a past teacher once telling me that if you are nervous when performing in front of someone, it means that you haven't learnt the music properly and aren't confident with it.

Argh - I hate it when people trot out this old chestnut, as if it's your own fault you're nervous - it completely disregards the fact that some of us will get nervous playing an easy piece we know backwards. Ho hum. It does help to be well-prepared - it can mean that you end up playing well despite the nerves because you know the music SO well - but it doesn't by any means guarantee not having nerves at all and it really annoys me when people say it does. I guess that teacher, and others who spout it, may well only get nervous when they're underprepared, but sadly it's not always the case (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[chocolatedog]

I remember a past teacher once telling me that if you are nervous when performing in front of someone, it means that you haven't learnt the music properly and aren't confident with it.

Argh - I hate it when people trot out this old chestnut, as if it's your own fault you're nervous - it completely disregards the fact that some of us will get nervous playing an easy piece we know backwards. Ho hum. It does help to be well-prepared - it can mean that you end up playing well despite the nerves because you know the music SO well - but it doesn't by any means guarantee not having nerves at all and it really annoys me when people say it does. I guess that teacher, and others who spout it, may well only get nervous when they're underprepared, but sadly it's not always the case (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

It's ridiculous to say that! Many top performers get nervous before they perform - even if they're very experienced performers! Some slight nerves and adrenalin actually improve performance, so I've heard!

[sarah-flute]

'xactly.

I can't provide a famous person's example, but a friend of mine was running rather late for one of his uni recitals, and he said that with the stress and adrenaline of being late, by the time he got there he didn't feel nervous at all and played rather insipidly.

[Alibonebone!]

Just had a students' concert on Sunday. As usual, they braved their way up stage to perform with many of them making mistakes that they do not usually make in class.

I've a pupil who has been performing at least 2 concerts per year for the last 6 years still made many mistakes & stumbles on Sunday.

A pupil can play so well in class & once on stage, the whole piece goes hay-wired.

I play dozens of concerts, show etc a year and I suffer from terrible (but improving) nerves. I never manage to perform as well as I know I can do when it comes to a concert. Sometimes by a long shot. But hey, plenty of experience is all that I can recommend really - good & bad if you get my drift! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[bohemian]

Only the very thick-skinned, or show-offs, or very extraverted people, or extremely experienced perfomers manage to play without nerves

Well I don't get nervous any more - and I am not extremely experienced being only 16, I'm a complete introvert in many ways, not a show-off, and I have been known to cry if I can't play something well or if I recieve harsh criticism. So where does my kind fit in?
The reason I don't get nervous is because I refuse to perform anything unless I am 100% prepared, and I don't see performing as a big deal at all. I don't know how I manage this - I think if I can see the audience as a lot of individuals instead of an "audience" it helps, which is why I am more at home if I can see the venue fill up beforehand, or if I know a couple of people in the audience.
Also, I think my attitude helps in that I always go for the "what's the worst that could happen" idea, that is, the audience know nothing about me so I can only get better, or they audience know my standard, and one performance wont change it much. In the end, who cares? If I muck up, it doesn't make me a worse person or a worse performer or anything - it was just a mistake, and I probably did some really good stuff at the same time (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[SuzyMac]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) Suzy's the med student, I am not clever enough (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

I have no doubt she'll know what you're talking about. Could be beta blockers??? But I don't know. And for what it's worth *I* don't think it's a good idea - but I am not a med student (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Heehee (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) I am the med student.... It is Beta blockers, they block the beta-type adrenaline receptors and therefore reduce the action of adrenaline there. So you get a heart beat that isn't racing, the trembling fingers stop, you sweat less and your blood pressure drops.

A lot of med students (not me I hasten to add) take them before exams, as one of the biggest problems associated with our exams is if we look nervous, we're not marked as well as if we look 'polished'. If symptoms are disabling, they may be an option, but that would be a decision made between the performer and their doctor. As with all drugs, there are side effects to consider.

[Cellona]

Hi Sarah & Suzy

Sorry sorry! Got mixed up because both of your names start with 'S'. Thanks for your help! At least I now know what beta-blockers do.

I didn't know that some students actually consume beta-blockers before exam. Interesting to find out.

Um...I think bohemian's idea of thinking of audience as many 'individuals' rather than an 'audience' worth exploring!

At times, I find that to control fear has a lot to do with psychology. That 'voice' in you is always there, it just depends on what you want 'it' to say before the performance & shut 'it' up when you are performing & that's when concentration comes in.

[musicmad_banana]

Could anyone explain how the banana theory works? I have my GCSE practical tomorrow and I don't know whether to try it or not.
Obviously it is a bad thing to be so nervous that you can't think straight, but in my experience, things can work the other way too. Last year when I did a piano exam, I was so relaxed and carefree that I let myself make a ton of mistakes - might be something just to bear in mind.....

[Car Expert]

Could anyone explain how the banana theory works? I have my GCSE practical tomorrow and I don't know whether to try it or not.

Bananas can calm down nerves because something called tryptophan is present, which is a protein that the body converts to serotonin, which is a relaxant.

Car Expert

[chris ward]

Well then, I have been performing in one guise or another for twenty or so years. I only suffer nerves in a solo situation. The knee tremour seems to be a favourite manouvre amongst us.
I subscribe to the ideal that I know the piece upside down before I perform it.
I also have this train of thought that if I make a mistake...so what! The audience is on my side, and 75% of them will not recognise my bloomer.

I suppose it depends on the genre of performance too. A jazz gig is somehow less demanding in terms of protocol, and for me, it is more enjoyable. You can make a mistake and get away with it. Classical performances are more...shall we say stuffy? Pop stuff is a breeze.

What's the answer to nerves? I don't have the ultimate answer.

[Gae]

What's the answer to nerves? I don't have the ultimate answer.

I have. Dont play solo in front of an audience unless it is either for a qualification, is your chosen career or you are being paid obscene amounts of money to do it!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Gae

[helly burnet]

Aah, beta blockers... Having suffered appalling shaking hands during my last 2 piano exams I discussed this with my teacher who admitted to taking one or two before a concert or important performance. I just felt comforted that here was something that might help me . It was just so horrible to try to play with my hands literally flapping in front of me.

All this has to be carried out properly, of course. I went to my G.P. who took my blood pressure and admitted that after anti-depressants they are the next most requested medication - think of driving tests for example. He advised that I took one the night before and one in the morning of the exam, and perhaps to try one out in a nerve-wracking situation, which I did. The tablets I have are just 10mg and they worked a treat. You are still totally mentally alert and still in a state of 'readiness' but nothing shakes. It was just incredible. When I did take the exam I actually found myself enjoying it because my hands were still. There is nothing worse than knowing you are fully prepared and have spent hours and pounds to get where you are to blow it on the day.

Since then I have played at other concerts without any drug assistance and have been fine because of that very good experience I had. Now I don't believe that's a bad thing.Whether I will take them for Grade 8 in December is another matter...