For the past few weeks I have been having a recurring dream that I sit at the piano and have completely forgotten everything. The names of notes..where to put my hands...even basic stuff like naming middle C. I can still read the music on the score but can't translate that into playing. I had a dream the other night that I had arrived at Dunster and had forgotten to bring my music with me. I tried to play by memory (a piece I am very familiar with) but it was a complete disaster.

In reality, when I do sit at the piano, it takes a while to "get started" and sometimes I can't complete the piece I'm practising. But I certainly haven't forgotten everything!

I have been under a fair amount of stress lately (which I'm assuming is the cause of these dreams), but Dunster will be the first time I've played in public since my accident. Fingers crossed all will go well on the day...

Does anyone else have dreams like this? Or has it happened in "real life"? How have you dealt with it?

Thanks.

Not dreams, but to take up the confidence bit of the thread title and the other points you raised in your post...

I think I must be feeling a bit nervous as well - I'm not consciously aware of it, but I ran through my pieces in my lesson yesterday and even though they're very simple pieces that I've played dozens of times before, I kept messing them up

But I keep thinking back to the first concert I performed in at Chester when I was very nervous in the weeks leading up to it, but in the end I was nothing like as nervous on the day. I think at Dunster it will be a lovely atmosphere, and I'm doing a leaflet about who we are and why we're doing it, so hopefully people will understand if we're not 100% perfect! And thinking back to Plas Newydd on Anglesey, some of the visitors gave me very kind comments even though I'd just been playing a very simple piece - and from an expert's point of view, not with geat finesse - but the visitors thought it was wonderful and I'm sure it will be the same at Dunster.

I'm sure it will all come back to you on the day, Daisy. Thinking about it is always worse than the reality, and you know you'll be amongst lots of friends. Hopefully somebody will be able to point you in the direction of middle C

You could always dress up as Liddy and then nobody will recognise you

See you soon!

The other night I had a dream that I was trying to play a piano with horribly stiff keys that just wouldn't work. I've never had that one before but I quite ofetn have dreams that I'm trying to play some strange piano-like instument with a very odd looking keyboard that I just can't work out how to use!

Scary!

In real life, if I am really really nervous or stressed, I sit down to play the piano and cannot remember which C is middle C. It can take several seconds for my brain to click back into gear. Having got through this a few times, I panic less now, knowing that The Fear will subside in a few seconds...!

My usual stress/anxiety dream always involves packing a suitcase for a holiday. I'm always running late and about to miss my plane/train. My Dad dreams about going to work without his socks on (a sanitised version of the 'naked in public' dream?!). I also regularly find myself back in the exam room re-sitting A levels, finals etc.

This happened to me in a piano lesson the other day. I think my teacher must have realised what had happened and kindly pointed out where I needed to put my fingers.

My main anxiety dream is the one where I arrive in an A level exam and realise I hadn't been to any of the lessons leading up to it.

I have dreams where my sax doesn't fit my hands and I have to contort myself into all kinds of strange positions to hold it, never mind blow it and get a note out of it.

But I keep thinking back to the first concert I performed in at Chester when I was very nervous in the weeks leading up to it, but in the end I was nothing like as nervous on the day. I think at Dunster it will be a lovely atmosphere, and I'm doing a leaflet about who we are and why we're doing it, so hopefully people will understand if we're not 100% perfect! And thinking back to Plas Newydd on Anglesey, some of the visitors gave me very kind comments even though I'd just been playing a very simple piece - and from an expert's point of view, not with geat finesse - but the visitors thought it was wonderful and I'm sure it will be the same at Dunster.

I'm sure it will all come back to you on the day, Daisy. Thinking about it is always worse than the reality, and you know you'll be amongst lots of friends. Hopefully somebody will be able to point you in the direction of middle C

You could always dress up as Liddy and then nobody will recognise you



We are mostly in the same boat here. What's the worst thing that can happen and can we live with it? A bit of 'brain fade' perhaps. we will support each other.
I once saw a professional pianist suffer a complete memory lapse 20 bars into a Beethoven sonata. She stopped and started again, only to lapse again at exactly the same point. She got up and fled the stage, presumably to check the score, and when she returned and started again the whole audience held their breath, crossed their fingers and willed her to get through it. She did, and played the rest of the piece well and got an extra generous round of applause.
See you at Dunster

Dreams are supposed to reflect what's going on in your subconcious mind, so it sounds like your dreams are just reflecting you anxieties about performing. I almost wish I was coming along now... helping other people not be nervous makes it so much easier for me to not be terrified!

My recurring worried dream of choice is that there has been some sort of accident, and I have to drive somewhere (e.g. to hospital) even though I don't have a clue how to drive. Hopefully now I've started learning this dream will go away.

My music related worried dream is that my flute has somehow corroded away. Had this one a few times, and I never fail to end up paranoidly checking my instrument the following day!

I've finally stopped having that dream (fingers crossed) - I haven't had it for a couple of years now.

It's been almost thirty years since my A levels What a profound effect they must have had on me

I often dream of material my clients have brought to their sessions, so it can be anything from horrific bereavements to vicious childhood abuse, and a multitude of things that fall halfway inbetween. So it can be quite pleasant to wake up from my dreams! A lot of my own anxiety dreams as well, a kind of treading through treacle and not getting to where I want to be. Oh to be wide awake!

Young Miss Chain, you are a lovely lovely pianist and I will so pleased to hear you play again. Please remind yourself that there are people in the audience who fall into a little world of calm and reverie when you play. You make our day.

friendly hugs

Ambs x

Aww..have been away for the weekend so have just caught up with this. Thank you all for your replies. I have had a relaxing time and feel much better about the coming weekend.

Thank you very much Amber...