i need to performing a flute piece in my school christmas corcert in two weeks. it will be happening in front of whole school and their parents and i am really scare about it. i have a flute exam the next day and my music teacher said if i don't play in the corcert, he won't play the piano in my exam !!!
any tips that can calm myself down before the concert(i will be singing in the choir and perform in between the songs) and what can i do to make my playing better? i have never played in front of such a big amount of people like that. please help.

Have a banana before the performance - they help to calm down your nerves!

Car Expert

i know that and it actually worked! i did my grade 3 piano half a year ago and i got merit. i will do that before the performing. but is there any other ways?

Your teacher shouldn't even be saying that, and putting more pressure on you.

On other boards, I've seen the following recommendations:
1. play for yourself
2. play for your teacher
3. play for your family
4. play for your friends
5. play in a small concert
6. play in a big concert

The idea is gradually to increase the number of people you play for, and increase the social distance between you and them. So, with luck, your stage fright will be manageable.

You do have to know your pieces really well. Public performance does expose any gaps in your knowledge of them.

Good luck!

You say you'll be performing between choir songs in which you will be singing? Try to get out of singing in the song just before you play. Absolutely the worst thing any wind player can do is grab an instrument, not warmed up, and try to play a solo! You need to be warming up the flute (and you) whilst the song before you play is sung.

Other than that, try and play to lots of people (even those who know nothing about music whatsoever) before the day.

I'm sure you'll be fine and it will go really well. Visualise yourself being amazingly successful and you'll be surprised how much that will help. Stand tall, breathe well (in all the places you've rehearsed) and smile at the audience before you start. That will give you and them confidence.

Best of luck.

I agree with whats been said so far. Play for everyone and anyone who is willing to listen. Eat a banana beforehand, that usually helps.You could also try this Bach rescue remedy spray. Its a herbal remedy thats supposed to be really good for calming nerves. You could get it in a health shop or pharmacy. Heres a website
http://www.rescueremedy.co.uk/

Good luck!!! Im sure you'll do brilliantly.

That's excellent advice.

Practise the whole performance routine before the day, maybe in front of a full length mirror (at least as scary as a large audience if you haven't done it before!). When you have finished your piece, however well you think you played it, smile at the audience again and bow. They are definitely going to clap, and your bow is a silent way to thank them for listening. Look at your knees, don't leave your head sticking up to look at the audience. Only after you have bowed pick up your music and go to wherever you need to go next. Be ready to act "I'm delighted to be doing this" however you feel on the night.

I wonder if you know the song from "The King and I" that starts "Whenever I feel afraid, I hold my head erect and whistle a happy tune, so no-one will suspect I'm afraid". There's a bit later on that goes "The result of this deception is very strange to tell, for while deceiving others I deceive myself as well". The quotations may not be exact because I haven't got the copy in front of me, but that's the general idea.

Best of luck, and I hope you will really enjoy playing.

thank you for all the advices and i feel much better now.

Also, is it easier for you if you see the room filling up? Or is that just me?? In school concerts, I used to volunteer to put the music stands before the concert, and it always worked for nerves!

Eeeep! I did my shopping yesterday and forgot to get bananas . Better go get some now, I've already eaten all my fingernails and I'm not a nail biter. Thanks for reminding me.

Good luck with your first concert tomorrow snuglivixen!

Wow, thats a bit evil :|

i'm awful with big audiences too.. how was it?

performing is fun

the performance is going to be tomorrow and i will eat a banana before it.

I think performing is fun, but i get nervous, usually i can be more nervous after though, strange i know!!!!

Learn to drive and take your driving test. After (too many) experiences with the rotten DSA examiners, I wasn't nervous at all for my Grade 8 flute exam on Wednesday, I went in smiling, enjoyed playing and came out smiling. Though I have a horrible feeling that I might be brought back down to Earth with a bump when the results come through.

relax don't worry about it... i know its hard but you'll get used to it. we've all had to do something simler. you'll do fine