Hello everyone!
I'm always really nervous when I have to perform on the flute, so much that I sometimes play the wrong notes even though I practised forever! My knees start shaking and I'm in a panic for most of the piece . I find it so annoying that this is affecting my performance and that I don't play as well as I could/should. Are there ways to practise losing this nervousness?!
Thanks in advance!
Charlotte

Hi Charlotte, it's normal to be nervous in exams, so I don't think you can lose it altogether. I find it helps a bit to try to think of 'feeling nervous' as 'feeling excited' instead. Also, try to remind yourself to feel confident as you're walking into the exam room - that helps me too.

QUOTE (july @ Dec 2 2004, 03:42 PM)

Hello everyone! I'm always really nervous when I have to perform on the flute, so much that I sometimes play the wrong notes even though I practised forever! My knees start shaking and I'm in a panic for most of the piece . I find it so annoying that this is affecting my performance and that I don't play as well as I could/should. Are there ways to practise losing this nervousness?! Thanks in advance! Charlotte

My motto:

If you make a mistake, BRILLIANT!!

It's a form of expression!

And SMILE!

Hi July,

Sounds as though your body floods with adrenaline when you perform, and maybe this is because you feel you are being judged by others?

I've quoted from another post I replied to which was about exam nerves. Maybe some of these thoughts could be of help to you also.

Best wishes



Amber
x

QUOTE

Your brain can't tell the difference between a false smile and a genuine smile, so it is a good way of lifting the spirits. Visualise yourself passing, and enjoying your performance. Remind yourself of the things that you know you do well, and that your teacher praises you for. Someone once told me the difference between fear and excitement is just a deep breath. When I started to feel nervous about my exam, I just said to myself "No i'm not scared, i'm excited." The best thing though is to be prepared. To know that you have worked the pieces up to and beyond a good passing standard. It's about knowing you're prepared and are capable of doing well. Then before you go in, spend some time grounding yourself. Check your posture - stand as though you are a world class professional, don't slouch or slump! Feel the ground under your feet. If you're sitting and waiting, sit squarely in the chair with both feet firmly placed on the ground, sit up straight (again, remember you're a world class professional here!) and allow all your organs the space they need to function well. Take some slow steady breaths, breathing in to the count of five and out again to the count of five. Allow extra time for travelling - this is not the time to be stuck in a traffic jam and worrying whether you will make it. Far better to be a little bit too early. Also allow time to warm up. As you play your pieces, be aware that you have played them hundreds of times over, so they are as familiar to you as your comfiest pair of socks. These are just some thoughts. Amber x

Thanks for all your kind words and advice !!! I'll try and remind myself of all of that beforehand and hope it sticks in my mind during the performance!!!