Performance Terror, O.O Options

[maledictis]

I even practised bowing (as in bending forwards, not playing a violin...) for my last one - and boy, do I feel a wally doing that (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif).

I normally do a hands behind my back, straight drop from the waist kind of bow - which seems to me to be not too pretentious.
I do have to check what top I am wearing though, otherwise the front row might get a little more than they bargained for... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[kerioboe]

Try practising these aspects of performing too - just walking on, settling, checking seating arrangements, placing music on the desk, and getting ready to play....and then starting those bars off. If you feel prepared for that bit, it'll help you feel prepared for the whole thing. I even practised bowing (as in bending forwards, not playing a violin...) for my last one - and boy, do I feel a wally doing that (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif).

My daughter's first piano teacher practised all this with her.

On the day of the concert, by the time my daughter had clambered down from the piano stool at the end of her piece (she was a diminutive seven-year-old) everyone had stopped clapping. She just stood there so her teacher asked her what the matter was, she whispered something in her teacher's ear and her teacher then announced "Would you all please clap again because we practised bowing and she would like to do her bow for you." (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Alicia Ocean]

awww (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

[Czerny]

On the day of the concert, by the time my daughter had clambered down from the piano stool at the end of her piece (she was a diminutive seven-year-old) everyone had stopped clapping. She just stood there so her teacher asked her what the matter was, she whispered something in her teacher's ear and her teacher then announced "Would you all please clap again because we practised bowing and she would like to do her bow for you." (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Bless! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)

[pianophrase]

[quote name='maledictis' date='Jun 20 2009, 05:39 PM' post='839775']
[quote name='anacrusis' post='839512' date='Jun 19 2009, 09:22 PM']
I do have to check what top I am wearing though, otherwise the front row might get a little more than they bargained for... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
[/quote]


Lol ! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[Solari]

I do have to check what top I am wearing though, otherwise the front row might get a little more than they bargained for... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

They thought they were there to witness a dazzling musical performance and ended up watching Twin Peaks instead? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[maledictis]

I do have to check what top I am wearing though, otherwise the front row might get a little more than they bargained for... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

They thought they were there to witness a dazzling musical performance and ended up watching Twin Peaks instead? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Trust you to lower the tone... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[Solari]

Trust you to lower the tone... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

What less would you expect? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Edward474453]

I suppose I suffer a little from nerves from time to time. At my last performance, I played a Mozart sonata movement at a work function. It was an informal environment, but my left hand started to shake as I played, and didn't stop until I reached the recapitulation. I think that to deal with nerves, you can:
1) prepare well, and play a piece that you can confidently perform
2) accept a degree of error in performance. Everyone must listen to Sviatoslav Richter's Sofia recital from 1958, released on CD by Phillips. It is far from note-perfect - there's a glaring clip in the opening 'Promenade' in [/i]Pictures at an Exhibition[i] - but his commitment to the music makes it one of the greatest performances on record.
3) acknowledging nerves through experience. You can alleviate nerves to some extent, but, when experiencing the symptoms, it's good to have some prior experience to draw upon. For example, my hand-shaking did not disturb me unduly, because I had had the problem before, and survived relatively unscathed. It was something to briefly acknowledge, and then ignore, not worry about.

Lots of good suggestions already on the thread.

[kerioboe]

How did it go Clueless One?

[Clueless One]

Back from the weekend, and I managed to get through it in one piece...just.

Started off feeling like this - (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ill.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ill.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/hides.gif)

Ended feeling like this - (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/woot.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/hurrah.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) ...and just a little - (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ill.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)


I got a lot of helpful feedback and tips on my playing, and I was able to work on it over the weekend.

The thing that surprised me was that, although I felt REALLY nervous (terrified), I apparently came across as confident while I was playing (I was physically shaking). (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

It was good to meet others who shared the same interests, although it was a little intimidating at first (everyone else had been playing longer than me). It was a very encouraging atmosphere to be in (everyone else was so supportive). (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I think this weekend has done me a lot of good. It's certainly nice to know that I CAN do it, inspite of the nerves.

I'm trying to avoid the bad habit I have of constantly going over every mistake I made in my head, and mentally kicking myself for it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

It was definitely fun though, and I'm glad I went now. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I'm actually looking forward to finding opportunites to play infront of people again. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/piano.gif)
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/jumpin.gif)

[Mad Tom]

Started off feeling like this - (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ill.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ill.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/hides.gif)

Yep - that's how it always feels ...

I'm actually looking forward to finding opportunites to play infront of people again. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

It is addictive! Congratulations

[kerioboe]

Congratulations Clueless One (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Long may it continue (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I have just read a couple of articles in a Music Psychology Journal and was surprised by the following:
According to several studies, when tests of heartbeat rate, blood-pressure and adrenaline in urine are done on musicians before performance, the results are the same for both anxious and non-anxious musicians*. All musicians have hearts which beat faster, higher blood pressure and more adrenaline just before performing. The only difference is the way the musician interprets these symptoms. Anxious musicians interpret these physical manifestations as a problem and focus on them, becoming convinced that their symptoms are worse than those of other people. Non-anxious musicians see the symptoms as a normal part of performing and don't focus on them to the exclusion of everything else. Some believed that their performance would be impaired if they didn't feel slightly "different" to normal, others were actually surprised when the doctors running the test told them they had an increased heart-rate, blood pressure etc. as they had never consciously noticed.

*The musicians were asked to define themselves on a scale from very anxious to not at all anxious.

[pianophrase]

Well done (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clap.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clap.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/hurrah.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/hurrah.gif)

[Tar-pâlantἰr]

I've been learning the piano for a little over three months now and I'm still really enjoying it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

*is officially one of the people who wishes they'd started sooner*

One of my main problems at the moment is that I lack confidence (and not just with piano). (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)
This is already starting to affect my playing. The only person I have played for is my teacher and, even then, my hands shake constantly whenever I'm trying to play anything. Though I do manage to get through it somehow, I just suffer REALLY badly from nerves.

I have a chance to play something this weekend, an informal performance with a few other beginners. My teacher thinks I'll be ok, and that the experience of playing infront of other people would be good for me. However, I'm already sweating about it now. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

I'm going to give it a try...I think...

I've considered just 'not going' so many times, but part of me really wants to do this (the part of me that doesn't want to curl up into a ball until it all goes away at least) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)



I know there are plenty of threads on this topic already (the search engine is my friend (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) ), but I guess I just needed to get this 'off my chest' somehow.

Me at the moment = (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ill.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/woot.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fingersCrossed.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/eek.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/hurrah.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ill.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)




(IMG:style_emoticons/default/piano.gif)

I find that it helps me to think of the audience as cabbages, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) and imagine I'm playing to my veggie garden at home.