Hiya, can anybody advise on techniques to relax.

I started playing the Saxophone about two and a half years ago, i practice whenever i can, but invariably with Work, Study and a family i don't practice as much as i should, hence why i'm still only on grade 2.

I've been taking lessons the whole time, once a week for half an hour and my sight reading is gettting better, my playing is getting better....BUT i still have a major problem with relaxing. If i'm alone i can play and read and enjoy my Sax, but when somebody is listening (even my teacher) i get all tense and my playing suffers.

I was talking about tone with my teacher recently and he said, sometimes i can sound really good and some times i can sound awful...this is because as soon as i think its going wrong i lock up, exams are the same, i'm so tense and nervous its definetly isn't condusive to good music, my distinction on grade 1 was a fluke i'm sure.

So what i'm really asking is, does anybody have or had this problem, and how can i overcome it?


Many Thanks
Goofs

You could try one of Glenn Harrold's hypnotherapy CDs (if you can find the time to listen!) and use the breathing techniques just before you start playing. The one called Complete Relaxation (or somesuch) is the best, I find, but also the ones on thinking positively and increasing self-esteem might be useful if you worry about going wrong. Hypnotherapy CDs aren't everyone's cup of tea, but some people find them invaluable.

I used to have real issues performing at university because I felt so pressurised to do well that I ended up never doing justice to my ability. I ended up taking a very low dose of beta blockers for a limited period, which stopped me getting shaky and gave me the chance to enjoy the experience. I stopped using them after a few months because I wasn't really comfortable taking pills for what was essentially a self-esteem problem. By then I had realised I enjoyed performing and wasn't getting as nervous anyway, so although it kind of worked for me at the time, with hindsight I think I'd have been better off with counselling and yoga!

Thanks sujamo, beta blockers did cross my mind and stil maybe a short term solution, but i'll have a look at the CD first. Thanks
Goofs

Yes, beta-blockers certainly have their uses. I take a low dose before important exams / performances, and they although they don't stop me getting nervous and my playing still suffers, at least they stop me physically shaking. The last time I took them was for the final of my Instrumental Teaching Certificate, and I actually ALMOST enjoyed the performance!

However, if you do decide to try this route, experiment with them first. Sometimes they can make people feel slightly "not with it" and you would need to decide how long before the performance to take them. With me, the right time is the night before, as they have a 24-hour long effect.