Performing - What Do You Enjoy About It? Options

[skylark]

I would join this, but the thing is... the more I play in front of other people, the more I want to?


I don't think it's "showing off", but more a matter of proving my worth and making sure that I can do it?

The above post in the Reluctant Performers thread (piano forum) made me wonder why people like performing. I must admit I enjoy performing on clarinet, and in my case, I think it's because of the type of music I like to perform, which is the popular vocal music of the 30s or 40s and the music from the older musicals. I had the most brilliant time performing in the orangery at a National Trust property recently - a group of two couples came in and they knew all the music I was playing. They sat down to watch and it was like they were having a private concert. They asked me to play Strangers on the Shore and were very kind about comparing me to Acker Bilk (I'm Grade 4) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) I played quite a lot for them and they wanted to get up and dance to Begin the Beguine but were too shy in the end. I would have loved it if they had done. They kept asking me to play some of the songs again and stayed with me for quite some time. I can still feel the warmth and pleasure from that group, and it's wonderful to enable people to enjoy something so much that you feel it back.

What does everyone else get out of performing?

[kenm]

I do get a certain extra buzz from having an audience, but the difference between a performance with an audience and a play-through with friends (this is mostly biggish mixed chamber music) is mainly that without the responsibility of entertaining other people my fellow musicians are reluctant to work as hard towards the best performance of which we are capable. We do too much "bash through and move on".

[Mad Tom]

I would join this, but the thing is... the more I play in front of other people, the more I want to?
I don't think it's "showing off", but more a matter of proving my worth and making sure that I can do it?

What does everyone else get out of performing?

There is definitely an element of showing off. It would be lying to deny it. It is a rare person that does not enjoy being congratulated on doing something they are good at.

But a lot of what you get from performance - the feeling of power and control from being able to play such difficult stuff, the deeper understanding of the music that results from the preparation and from insights while playing, the increased powers of focus and concentration that it demands, the self-discipline of the preparation - these can all be served well enough by practice and private study, or by other things in life.

For me, performing on a musical instrument also forces me to confront (and hopefully conquer) my demons (fear, nervousness, crises of confidence) in a way that nothing else does. Nothing else I have ever done is so demanding.

Probably most importantly, it forces me to learn pieces properly, instead of the half-learning that can seem good enough in the cosy stress-free world of the practice room ... and that includes the "easy" bits, which tend to get neglected.


There is an element of "spreading the word" - that much of the music in the "Classical tradition" is worth listening to, and more deeply satisfying than the dross of much current popular music. And many famous international artists don't actually do a great job of this. The conventions of the typical classical concert nowadays are bad enough for someone that loves the music. They must be horribly off-putting to someone that is not yet a convert. And many performers come accross as cold and uncaring, both in their demeanour, and in the sound they create. So although technically the amateur may not be in the same league, we still have a lot to offer, and our more laid-back concerts are much friendlier places for new listeners to get familiar with what Western Art music has to offer.

But above all ... it is addicitive. It is the result of one of those drives that makes you do something even when it is not especially enjoyable, or useful, or the result of any rational decision making process. And who can explain that?

[pianocelloflute]

I like it all!
Preparing a programme of music to play, and knowing that you are doing something you love. And hopefully, letting others enjoy that music too.

Some people play sports, training in the cold and wet, early morning runs, aiming for the next thing... I do music! "Training" in lots of different places, but places I feel comfortable, and always aiming for the next thing.
So my sister trains, and then stands covered in body armour on cold mornings in winter, waiting for hockey balls to be fired at her. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) I train, then perform.

People can't quite believe I don't get nervous. For me, performing music is good - and unlike chatting to someone, I know I can do it vaguely competently for the environment and in how it is expected. But I have performed for many years, from playing simple stuff in assembly at school aged 5 onwards!

The buzz of doing it is certainly a factor. That feeling when you stand up at the end of a piece/concert is lovely, someone always says something to you after. Audiences that you are playing to (as well as playing for yourself) come because they want to, and so you want to let them leave feeling that it was a good performance.

Also the feeling of "next performance can be better" spurs me on. I can always find something to improve on, and so I would like to perform again to improve that.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) *goes to get flute out, as I am in a small band for something in just under a week and need to improve my sound*

[fsharpminor]

To give other people pleasure (Hopefully ! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) )

[viola-mad]

I am really excited and enthused by what I play, and - especially if it something that's not very well-known - I get very excited about the prospect of sharing my discovery with other people.

I'd also echo what a couple of others have said. It is always a confidence boost to be congratulated after a performance. It gives you such a buzz.

[Violin Hero]

I enjoy learning the new piece(s) for the performance.

I like saying "look at me, I am a great solo violinist." The last solo performance i did was back in March before I finsihed school.

I wasn't expecting much but I was the talk of the year 7 and 8s for the rest of the week. I had so many people come up to me saying "Your so good" when I know full when I am just your average grade 8 player.

[Tequila]

Now before anyone thinks this is odd that I'm posting on this thread as well as the reluctant performers one can I just say my feelings regarding performance on Clarinet and Piano are poles apart!!

I do get nervous performing but on clari it's beforehand. As long as things are going well when I start to play the nerves vanish. I just enjoy the music and enjoy the fact that others are enjoying the music too - something I'm making - my creation if you like.


The main thing is the sense of achievement I feel having accomplished something well. It's like a rush/ buzz and my face invariably looks like this: (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) . I can't help it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

I also like when - having practised something so many times and you get close to the big day and things might not be absolutely perfect but you are confident you can stay in control and pull it off - even with some small slips - it all comes out perfectly in the end!! There's that kind of "YEESS!! Did it!" feeling. And receiveing the positive feedback is also wonderful too.

I had someone say to me at a recent event "That was WONDERFUL Dawn, absolutely wonderful!! You know I've never really been a fan of the clarinet but that.... might just have changed my mind." (Victorian Kitchen Garden was the piece - unaccompanied) What a lovely compliment (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Juniper]

Now before anyone thinks this is odd that I'm posting on this thread as well as the reluctant performers one can I just say my feelings regarding performance on Clarinet and Piano are poles apart!!

I do get nervous performing but on clari it's beforehand. As long as things are going well when I start to play the nerves vanish. I just enjoy the music and enjoy the fact that others are enjoying the music too - something I'm making - my creation if you like.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) with everything you've said Dawn. I still enjoy performing on trumpet even though as yet the thought of piano makes me feel ill.

I love the rush, the adrenaline, watching the audience dancing, clapping and generally enjoying the music I am helping to create. I also enjoy the compliments after, even if they do make me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

[Dulciana]

When I first thought about what to say here I found it hard, because upon actually thinking about it I couldn't really say that I often enjoy it much at the time! I'm often too stressed to use the word 'enjoy'. But when things go well, I do enjoy looking back on it!

But I suppose I must be stressed because I want to do it and do it well, and my reasons are similar to many of those mentioned above - there's a certain obligation to the composer and to the music itself to perform it well, and illicit a positive emotional response from the listeners. And when I do properly get the better of my nerves I love the electricity that replaces them.

[river]

i don't particularly enjoy "performing", but i do enjoy getting together with other trad musicians and playing music together. it happens that most of the time this is in a public venue (like a pub), so in a sense it's a performance -- people are listening, and there's usually some applause at the end of the set. this has never bothered me, though, probably because there are many other people playing at the same time, and i can pretty much ignore the "audience". i don't think i could get up on a stage and play solo -- that's a very different experience.

i don't agree with Mad Tom -- i don't play to show off. in fact, i strongly dislike being "congratulated", because i know i'm not very good (yet), so either the person doing the congratulating doesn't know very much the music and can't tell, or else really means "it's obvious you're a beginner, but maybe you'll be good some day!". well, thanks, but i don't need to be reminded of that. even worse is when you start a tune, and for whatever reason it just doesn't work -- the rhythm is all wrong, or the intonation is out, or the notes just won't come out in the right order; then, when you're done, someone (usually another musician) says "that was nice". no i wasn't, it was terrible. please don't lie to make me feel better.

on the other hand, i do enjoy introducing a new tune to a session, especially if someone manages to pick it up and play it with me. this is basically an acknowledgement that the tune is a good one, and someone appreciates me taking the time to learn it and bring it to the session. (and all that without a single word...)

[Dulciana]

i don't agree with Mad Tom -- i don't play to show off. in fact, i strongly dislike being "congratulated",

I know what you mean....it depends who makes the positive comments though. I actually prefer being listened to by musically educated people who know what they're listening to and appreciate it, or who play themselves. Then I know their comments are genuine. I really hate playing for a certain type of audience or listener that I find hard to define - maybe somebody else who knows what I mean can define it; on these occasions I feel like performing monkey - totally self-conscious, wishing it was over, and unable to concentrate.

[Stephie]

There is definitely an element of showing off.

Mad Tom's right, there's definitely some showing off - at least, there is for me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) For me, it's the satisfaction of a job well done that I enjoy. I just can't enjoy an exam, but I love performing in concerts! It's such a thrill, and the build-ups are always so exciting.

[oldnotes]

To put it simply - the thing I enjoy most is the challenge of playing a concert of up to 75 minutes, musically, and having the audience express their appreciation. I've only once done a one hour solo recital, which went OK but not perfect. Usually I play the piano solos, plus accompanying singers, wind instruments, etc., and the buzz comes from getting the duets and trios as good as we have in rehearsal, and having a happy audience.

[Mad Tom]

i don't agree with Mad Tom -- i don't play to show off.

That is fine. It would be a sad world if everyone agreed with me! But I don't play just to show off either. The reasons for performing are complex. For me there is an element of showing off. It would be easy to pretend otherwise, and present myself as some sort of musical saint, but that would be deceitful, and to no-ones benefit. But showing off is just one element amongst many, and not the most important.

in fact, i strongly dislike being "congratulated", because i know i'm not very good (yet), so either the person doing the congratulating doesn't know very much the music and can't tell, or else really means "it's obvious you're a beginner, but maybe you'll be good some day!". well, thanks, but i don't need to be reminded of that. even worse is when you start a tune, and for whatever reason it just doesn't work -- the rhythm is all wrong, or the intonation is out, or the notes just won't come out in the right order; then, when you're done, someone (usually another musician) says "that was nice". no i wasn't, it was terrible. please don't lie to make me feel better.

You should always be gracious in accepting praise, even when you know yourself that you could have played a lot better. A simple "Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed it" is all it takes.

What is more the praise probably is genuine. Music badly played can still be genuinely enjoyable, especially to a lay audience. The power of the composition itself will always come through, as will your love for it and your artistic integrity - even if your technique falls a little short from time to time.

Even the experts who may have noticed every mistake and hesitation are probably truly appreciative of your efforts. If they play themselves they will be all too aware of just how much work goes into even an average performance, and how much bottle it takes to get up and play before an audience.