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| How do you deal with stage fright?; hat tip to Lindy | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Dec 4 2007, 06:45 PM (556 Views) | |
| RosemaryTwo | Dec 4 2007, 06:45 PM Post #1 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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I play for my teacher only at about 60% of how well I play at home. It's as if my mind can handle only one train of thought: the music OR "oh my god oh my god oh my god oh my god," but not both. So I'm just wonderin' what else others do to get into a "performing" mindset? Is it just practice, practice, practice--until you can think "oh my god oh my god oh my god oh my god" and still play the song? Other ideas?
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| "Perhaps the thing to do is just to let stupid run its course." Aqua | |
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| CrashTest | Dec 4 2007, 06:47 PM Post #2 |
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Pisa-Carp
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Yeah, basically just know the piece inside and out - be able to play it notes and all in your head, visualize it. And practice playing in front of groups of people. That's it. |
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| RosemaryTwo | Dec 4 2007, 06:49 PM Post #3 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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My teacher offers monthly master classes to help deal with this. I haven't been able to make it, and I told him I'd likely do shots beforehand anyway....
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| "Perhaps the thing to do is just to let stupid run its course." Aqua | |
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| Frank_W | Dec 4 2007, 06:54 PM Post #4 |
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Resident Misanthrope
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Rosemary, maybe during one of your yoga exercises, you can visualize playing in front of people, and see yourself as relaxed and comfortable, and really enjoying it. I think that when we perform, we're thinking that whomever's listening to us is grading us harshly, just waiting for us to screw up. Nothing could be further from the truth. When people listen, they want the performer to succeed and do well. They are rooting for you! ![]() And if you blow it, the sun still rises tomorrow. It's not the end of the world. If the worst happens, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get on with it. It'll give you something to build on, next time. And every time you perform, you can look back and say, "Well, at least it wasn't as bad as ______." In other words, there's no way to lose. ![]()
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Anatomy Prof: "The human body has about 20 sq. meters of skin." Me: "Man, that's a lot of lampshades!" | |
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| kathyk | Dec 4 2007, 07:01 PM Post #5 |
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Pisa-Carp
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I can totally relate. Of course practice and knowing it inside out is the first line of defense. But, what you're talking about - messing up even with your teacher is something that I think goes beyond regular stage fright, and something with which I've also been plagued. I don't have any good answers, except that the more you do it, the more desensitized you become. Since buying my new piano four years ago I've been playing a whole lot more than I did in the previous twenty years and it has made me want to perform again (what I mean, is play in front of others besides my captive family audience). I tell you, piano parties have been the perfect venue. They're low key, informal, there's a lot of background noise going on, there are generally people of a wide range of levels, and everyone is wonderfully supportive. I'm gradually getting over my ridiculous stage fright because of these. An aside: I'm also a church organist and people often ask whether I get nervous doing that. Interestingly, I don't at all - again, because I always feel like I'm just in the background. |
| Blogging in Palestine: http://kksjournal.com/ | |
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| Rainman | Dec 4 2007, 07:07 PM Post #6 |
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Fulla-Carp
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Rosemary, what do you mean by 60%? Memory slips, technique, not being able to control the instrument (heavy action, grand vs. upright, etc.), hands shaking, sweaty palms, or. . . ? |
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| Lindy | Dec 4 2007, 07:15 PM Post #7 |
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Middle Aged Carp
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I know EXACTLY what you mean. What's worked the best for me in the past, in addition to many of the things already mentioned, is to pretend that I'm playing just for myself, and to try not to think or worry about anybody else who happens to be there. At least this has worked for church offertory, prelude and such. ![]() We'll see shortly if it works at an actual recital. |
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Kubota B-Series Tractors - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ringo - "I am the best drummer in the world." Lennon - "He's not even the best drummer in the band." | |
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| JBryan | Dec 4 2007, 07:44 PM Post #8 |
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I am the grey one
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I imagine that I am playing in my underwear. |
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"Any man who would make an X rated movie should be forced to take his daughter to see it". - John Wayne There is a line we cross when we go from "I will believe it when I see it" to "I will see it when I believe it". Henry II: I marvel at you after all these years. Still like a democratic drawbridge: going down for everybody. Eleanor: At my age there's not much traffic anymore. From The Lion in Winter. | |
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| Daniel | Dec 4 2007, 07:59 PM Post #9 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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I don't go on stage. It seems to work pretty well. |
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| Michael Scott | Dec 4 2007, 08:23 PM Post #10 |
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Advanced Member
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That's what she said!
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| kenny | Dec 4 2007, 08:54 PM Post #11 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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Don't worry. Teachers know to add 40%. So Relax. Everything is as it should be.
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| Phlebas | Dec 5 2007, 02:21 AM Post #12 |
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Bull-Carp
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What other people said - play more for others, and preparation. Eat a banana 1/2 hour before your lesson or performance - they have natural beta blockers. Don't focus on the mistakes when you are playing something in your lessons or performances. Focus on what you want to communicate. Do very slow run throughs before hand. Visualize a successful performance beforehand. Consider learning self-hypnosis to deal with performance anxiety. |
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Random FML: Today, I was fired by my boss in front of my coworkers. It would have been nice if I could have left the building before they started celebrating. FML The founding of the bulk of the world's nation states post 1914 is based on self-defined nationalisms. The bulk of those national movements involve territory that was ethnically mixed. The foundation of many of those nation states involved population movements in the aftermath. When the only one that is repeatedly held up as unjust and unjustifiable is the Zionist project, the term anti-semitism may very well be appropriate. - P*D | |
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| RosemaryTwo | Dec 5 2007, 04:35 AM Post #13 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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It sounds like many of you have been where I am. My problem is that my instructor is quite talented (soloed with the Pittsburgh symphony at the age of 14). I think I have issues of inadequacy. I do think this will go away in time--he is quite friendly and encouraging. Even when I play Hannon perfectly at home, I get there and miss notes. I joked with him that I play better at home, he chuckled and agreed. He seems to understand the beast of the mental game, and sees it as all part of the process. Your ideas are all good, I appreciate the insight. I'm generally not a nervous person, I think I may be afraid that deep down, I have no talent. |
| "Perhaps the thing to do is just to let stupid run its course." Aqua | |
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| Frank_W | Dec 5 2007, 04:41 AM Post #14 |
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Resident Misanthrope
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Talent is way overrated. Passion, tenacity, and dedication trump talent, every single time. I'm sure you ARE talented, but talent won't carry you very far. The fear that you don't have any... Pfft... If you can dump that fear, do it.
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Anatomy Prof: "The human body has about 20 sq. meters of skin." Me: "Man, that's a lot of lampshades!" | |
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| RosemaryTwo | Dec 5 2007, 05:45 AM Post #15 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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Yes, that's true about talent only going so far. Point well taken. I played the piano, oboe, and sang when I was under the age of 20. I lot of teachers told me I was talented -- they didn't use any adjectives, though, like "barely" or "slightly" or "kinda." Maybe they kept that part quiet. So I believed all these years, although not playing anymore, that I was musically talented. Now I'm forcing myself to address that issue, and I think that's part of my fear. Maybe I'm not. You know what they say about facing fear, though, or avoiding it. I'm a failure from the start if I avoid the issue. |
| "Perhaps the thing to do is just to let stupid run its course." Aqua | |
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| Frank_W | Dec 5 2007, 05:50 AM Post #16 |
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Resident Misanthrope
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There ya' go!! Anyway, piano is a difficult instrument. Talented or not, it takes a lot of work. Even Jelly-Roll Morton was said to practice several hours a day, every day. I know what you mean about nerves, though. When I was taking lessons, I would have a piece nice and smooth on Wednesday night. Thursday afternoon, playing it for my instructor, though... Ugh... Horrible. I could almost hear her thinking, "Cripes.. Did he even practice, this week?" I can fully empathize. It sucks.
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Anatomy Prof: "The human body has about 20 sq. meters of skin." Me: "Man, that's a lot of lampshades!" | |
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| Aqua Letifer | Dec 5 2007, 06:38 AM Post #17 |
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ZOOOOOM!
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I realize it now -- though sometimes that makes it no easier to confront -- that learning your limitations should be exciting and positive! Going through that process means you are learning more about yourself and what you are. Also, those limitations are always temporary. Knowing where you are on the continuous process of expansion and growth means you have great insight into yourself; very few people really know how far along they are. "It is later than you think: know yourself! And remember, my friend, that there are no mountaintops. Only plateaus." - Some Smart Asian Guy |
| I cite irreconcilable differences. | |
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| Jamie | Dec 5 2007, 06:55 AM Post #18 |
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Junior Carp
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I used to fall to pieces just performing for my teacher at a weekly lesson, he'd have to leave the room just so that I could get myself together. I remember back 10 years ago or so when I started taking lessons as an adult. My first recital in front of an audience, you could see me visibly shaking. I was so freaked out, I didn't even know if I was going to hit the notes right. About 5 years ago, I started playing for a church choir. This did wonders for my stage fright, as I was forced to play in front of about 4 or 5 hundred people, every week. Sometimes as the lone accompianist to a soloist. (There are two guitars accompanying the choir as well). I think a combination of well rehersed repertoire (sp?) and playing lots in front of people is the trick, but the minute I have to play in front of someone different (eg invited out to a party and asked to play)- I have to work at quelling that old nervous feeling again. I think stagefright is always with you if you have it. It then comes down to being able to control it. I know playing at - say a PW/TNCR/WTF piano party, if the opportunity ever arose - would crush me, as I would likely be thinking of the expertise in the room, and not about what I'm playing. |
| Rudy - September 1, 1998 - April 8, 2009... One awesome dog | |
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| Frank_W | Dec 5 2007, 07:01 AM Post #19 |
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Resident Misanthrope
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I wouldn't play a note, if I were at such a gathering, Jamie. LOL Talk about having an instant inferiority complex!
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Anatomy Prof: "The human body has about 20 sq. meters of skin." Me: "Man, that's a lot of lampshades!" | |
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| kathyk | Dec 5 2007, 07:23 AM Post #20 |
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Pisa-Carp
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No, the thing is, these parties by their nature seem to melt people's reserve. Pretty much everyone there really wants to play and it's so interesting to observe how even the shyest will sneak in when they don't think too many people are listening. And when they do, they inevitably get a lot of kudos. It's really a gratifying experience. You should try it - you'll like it. I guarantee it. |
| Blogging in Palestine: http://kksjournal.com/ | |
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| Dave Spelvin | Dec 5 2007, 07:33 AM Post #21 |
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Fulla-Carp
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I used to perform in a band and I hated performing. The only way I could get through was by thinking of the following: "Tell your story." If you know and feel the music, you've got something to communicate to your listeners. So tell it. The less it's about you and the more it's about the story you're telling, the better the performance. After all, you are not the focus of the performance -- the music is. Tell your story. |
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| Larry | Dec 5 2007, 07:41 AM Post #22 |
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Mmmmmmm, pie!
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So Dave......... what's your story?..... ![]() |
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Of the Pokatwat Tribe | |
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| Dave Spelvin | Dec 5 2007, 08:35 AM Post #23 |
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Fulla-Carp
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Larry: Good to hear from you again. My story is sad but true. It's about a girl that I once knew. She took my love and she ran around. With every single guy in town. And you, Larry, may be old enough to know what I'm talking about. |
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| Frank_W | Dec 5 2007, 08:36 AM Post #24 |
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Resident Misanthrope
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Hey, her name wasn't Sue, was it? (Oh wait: I may incriminate myself!)
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Anatomy Prof: "The human body has about 20 sq. meters of skin." Me: "Man, that's a lot of lampshades!" | |
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| Dave Spelvin | Dec 5 2007, 08:47 AM Post #25 |
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Fulla-Carp
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Did you know her? (Hell, I think everyone knew her.) |
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That's what she said!




6:09 AM Jul 11