The worst i could ever play was in the presence of an examiner.
I did fine in front of my teacher and parents but I couldn't even control my fingers once I hit the exam hall no matter how nice and friendly the examiner was, let alone pouring out the whole song skillfully. I didn't exactly get petrified or agitated but I just automatically lost control of my fingers in the exam hall.
This problem did not exist when I was young until recently.

CAN ANYONE PLEASE GIVE ME SOME USEFUL TIPS TO OVERCOME THIS RACKING NERVES?

It is rather unfortunate if one suffers from nerves during an exam. All that careful preparation over the months just flies out of the window.

Having been in that situation myself many times - i find there are two things you could do...
[1] be able to play all your pieces from memory - that way you have the inner confidence of being really on top of your music.
[2] play more often in front of different people.

However, this is only damage limitation - there are no easy answers to solve this dilema. It's just the way we are made - by him upstairs.

Some people are lucky and are not affected by nerves (vast minority), but take comfort in the knowledge that the vast majoity are affected, to some degree.

To say a little more, I found that I was putting pressure on myself by thinking of the exam as a performance. Its not - Its an exam - and mistakes are allowed. So relax....if you can.

Awww. Annoying isn't it.

I agree with the previous reply. If you suffer from excessive nerves in an exam, you need to preplan. Make sure you can do these pieces standing on your head if possible. Another thing I find useful is to record performances before exams. It's amazing how badly one can play if you know you are being recorded and gives extra practise at performing under stress.

I've also noted that student who get very nervous always seem to do better than they think they have done. The become hypercritical of their performance in an exam.

On a lighter note (preferably A# ) we do put unnecessary pressure on ourselves during these times. I often ask my nervous students "what will happen if you fail? Is the world going to explode? Are you going to lose every you love? Will the TV blow up?" It helps them to get everything into perspective.

Don't forget to have a banana beforehand!

Car Expert

If you're playing with your back towards the audience/examiner, pretend you're just playing at home and no ones there....on the other hand you could always pretend you're the best player in the world (lol this is what i sometimes do when im really nervous) It calms the shaking and gives you a bit more confidence.

The way I do it is to just think of it as a regular practise session with someone who just happens to be there. If that doesn't work, try and make yourself enjoy it - this person's come all the way here to see YOU, if you think about it. Rather flattering, really. Failing that, think of it as a carte blanche excuse to get out of school/work/whatever, so make the most of it!

Just a question......should you look on the exam as a performance where you are playing to the examiner as if it was a concert and he is the audience, or should you think of him more as an onlooker or teacher who just happens to play? I personally would prefer not to be so cold towards the examiner as I know that he wants to appreciate what's played, but that has only come quite recently since I've started performing in an orchestra and aren't phased by playing in front of people much any more.

Just random musings, but they're just some of my thoughts.