Excellent and solid advice! Last night I got unexpectedly upset before a performance which threatened to destroy my concentration. Deep breathing and some gentle physical movements helped me relax and then I thought about the audience. I ended up giving my best performance!
THANK YOU for these great TIPS ....the ironic thing is that far from judgmental, the audience is actually consciously or subconsciously rooting for you, not in the sense that they care about you personally, but plain and simple because they want to have a good time.. ..something to keep in mind ..more easy said than done as a performer when feeling nervous ,....but TRUE
I know that if I am extremely WELL-PRACTICED and that I can play the piece with ease, then I am a lot less likely to feel nervous. One technique is the 5 coin method. Place 5 coins on the left side of your music stand. Play the piece (or problematic passage) and if you get it right, then slide ONE coin to the right. Play the piece again. If you get it right (without a mistake) then slide another coin to the right. Do this again. IF.... at any time that you are playing, you make a mistake... then move ALL of the coins BACK again to the left. Repeat the process until you play the piece or passage without a mistake for 5 consecutive times IN A ROW. After you have this success. REPEAT the process the next day until you get the piece/passage right for 5 times in a row. THIS will improve your confidence and help to control whatever "nerves" you might have.... because you have PROVEN to yourself, firsthand, that you have mastered the piece/passage. THIS technique WILL help with nerves.
THANK YOU!! I don’t play music but I act and sing , I have a really big audition coming up in 2 days and I was super nervous until I saw this video , can’t thank you enough ❤❤❤
Excellent thoughts, Mark. Thanks. For me, the first tip is really about moving from negative to positive energy. In college, I prepared for concerts by performing for peers - always the hardest thing. Then (per your 4th tip) once I got in front of an audience I realized they were there to get something and not judge. It was so much easier.
Thanks Mark. I realised some time ago I always think I've played not as well as I actually have whilst, from comments, the audience thinks I've played better (than I actually have), Having discovered that I find it helpful to remind myself of it whenever I play! .
Yes, Donald! It's really easy to forget that. It's a great idea to make a habit of reminding yourself about these things before you perform every time. (I certainly do it myself)
Very wise and helpful (especially as I'm just about to play organ for a wedding!). I'd go so far as to say 'if I'm not at all nervous, I'm not going to give of my best- I'm treating this too casually. Nerves are good!'
Thank you Mark ! These tips are going to help me a lot with my practice ! Dont plan to go on stage but i dont know...i'll have these in my bag ! Thanx again. :>)))
