Dealing With Nervousness

[fuel925]

I have a problem with being nervous when I am practising at the piano. If I am alone, then I am fine, but if someone enters the room (even just a member of my family), or even if I can hear them walking outside the room and I know they can hear my playing, I get really nervous and my playing falls apart, I can't hit a right note! This isn't when performing, this is just normal practise, and it's not just when strangers are around, it happens with my family. It seems to happen worse when my dad is around (he funds my lessons), or when my brother is around (he is also a pianist).

Does anyone else have this problem, and is there a solution?

[jasons]

I'm guessing you're a new pianist - hope that's right...

Don't worry about it, this is perfectly natural when learning a new skill. You can see the same thing with just about anything when you first start - learning a new language, driving lessons, etc.

You'll find these types of nerves go away over time. When I first started my hands used to shake even when I was playing a piece for my teacher - and playing in front of anyone at home was even more nerve wracking.

Nowadays, I actively seek out an 'audience' of this kind. I live in a flat and currently have builders in working on the common areas in the flat. Every time I practice now I imaging I'm playing to them - I find this useful to get over performance nerves. Though I still get very nervous playing in front of a crowd. Guess that too will go away with experience.

In short - it's perfectly natural to experience nerves, but it's something that will go away over time

Jason

[fuel925]

I'm guessing you're a new pianist - hope that's right...

I've been playing for about 16 years However, i've never really rushed the grades or anything, i've taken things very slowly, and my interest has only been really sparked for the last couple of years.

[jasons]

In that case I guess my 'it'll cure itself' idea is wrong

I haven't been playing anywhere near as long as you (~2 years now, started at age 28), but as I said, I had the same experiences. I'm sure with me it was just exposure to playing when I know others were listening that cured it.

Have you spoken about this with your father or brother? You may find it useful talking through how you feel playing when one of them is around, then maybe ask them to take some time to sit with you (or in the next room at first ) while you play. This way you can think of them not as critical listeners, but as part of the learning process.

You could also try having a 'fake' person in the room in the form of some sort of recording device. For me, playing while recording produces a similar situation / feelings to playing in front of people.

Additionally, once you have a piece learnt, you can play it as if you were playing in front of people. I'm doing that now to prepare for my teacher's christmas concert tomorrow. After I've finished regular pratice I go do something else for 5 mins, then return to the piano, close my eyes and imagine I'm in the hall with an expectant crowd waiting, then start playing.

Jason

[princessdecadence]

I don't think it matters whether you are a new pianist or not.  I still get the jitters when people are watching.  When they enter the room and mind their own, I'm fine but not when they stand behind me (with or without a knife) and start watching me. 

Nervousness also depends on the piece and people.  If it's any member of my family, I don't get that nervous since none of them play the piano but if it's my pianist acquaintance, I would be way more nervous.  If I love the piece so much, I tend to get lost in the piece and seems like it's only me and the piano.  But I get what you mean, you don't play as good with an audience, hence why before you perform, you need to know the piece inside out so that even if the quality falls a peg or two it will sound good.

My only solution is to imagine yourself alone with the piano and think about the piece rather than the audience or how well you're doing.  So what if you make a mistake, I care not.  Your attitude is pretty decisive as well.

[ryan2189]

Your not alone! I had that same feeling when my father was around. (I still do sometimes)

 I believe that the nervousness comes from the fear of being criticized.  My parents are not big classical music fans, and when they hear some baroque or something that may not be instantaneously harmonious, they start to question it. It also happened when I started new pieces, going slow and making mistakes. But I talked to them about where I was coming from and how I felt. Now they are more accepting. Give it some time and as long as they aren't saying anything about your playing, don't worry about it. And if they do, then tell them to come and sit down at the piano and play instead (with the exception of your brother, don't worry about him either, i'm sure he's felt the same way at some time)

[rachellel]

 My Brother also learns the piano, If I hit a wrong note he will tell me but I do the same back to him, haha. Have you really been putting up with being nervous for 16 years? I would have given piano up if this happened to me, but its good you havn't.

[chopinisque]

It doesn't go away with time... it's all in the confidence.   I've been playing for 5-6 years and I was terrified at first.  When playing in front of people, I couldn't remember to add in dynamics or anything.  I couldn't even get the notes right.  I still have the problem. But now, I'm fine with -some people-, as long as they don't make requests (especially if your parent's guests have young kids who'll ask for 'something fast' - I try to accomodate with some fast Bach but it just falls apart *shudder*)  For others, I get the nerves as if it were my first time.  I still feel light-headed and heavy-finger in front of of piano teacher but I'm fine with my family (my siblings are all piano-washouts so I feel confident) or anyone whom I know won't be able to tell how well (or badly) I'm playing.  I guess it's how 'safe' you feel and how confident you are... also how well you're able to control your fingers when they suddenly go stiff, cold, heavy, shaky, sweaty and unresponsive when your most intimidating audience arrives.  The adrenaline rush is quite enjoyable though. =P I guess the gist is... be confident that whoever is listening no matter how skilled probably won't be able to tell how well you're playing and  also embrace and enjoy the adrenaline when it comes, take it as a challenge.  That works for me anyway (but I'm a bit of a thrill-seeker and I'm hoping that the nerves won't ever go away).  Anyway, good luck.

PS Forgot to mention: play as slowly as you need to when you feel like falling apart.

[tac-tics]

This is natural for everyone.

What helps me is finding times to practice around people, but without having them pay strict attention to me. Like if my friends and I are just hanging out and talking to each other, I know I can play without drawing much or any real attention, and that makes it so much easier.

[zheer]

This is natural for everyone.

What helps me is finding times to practice around people, but without having them pay strict attention to me. Like if my friends and I are just hanging out and talking to each other, I know I can play without drawing much or any real attention, and that makes it so much easier.

    So true.

[lagin]

It doesn't go away with time... it's all in the confidence.   For others, I get the nerves as if it were my first time.  I still feel light-headed and heavy-finger in front of of piano teacher but I'm fine with my family (my siblings are all piano-washouts so I feel confident) or anyone whom I know won't be able to tell how well (or badly) I'm playing. 

It doesn't go away completely, but it does diminish the more you perform.  I find that I lose ground with the battle of the nerves when I don't perform for a few months.  Then, when I go back, it takes a couple times, but it eventually becomes easier again.  It's like 2 steps forward, 1 back, 2 forward........

My teacher said something once which changed the way I felt about playing in front of people who know alot about piano, like other piano teachers or examiners.  She said that these types of people will appreciate what you are doing a whole lot more.  They will know the effort it took to get the dynamics just right, and they will totally UNDERSTAND when you slip in a hard spot.  I actually would rather play for someone who will appreciate all that went into the piece rather than someone who just thinks, "She plays fast!" or whatever. 

My 2 cents

[whynot]

I pretty much agree with everything here, but I particularly understand Lagin's point.  In recent years I've become much less afraid of playing in front of other musicians, which used to be my greatest fear.  Now I think they're the ones inwardly cheering you on the most.  Well, that wouldn't be true in everyone's situation! but I don't play competitions.  I guess everyone wouldn't be rooting for one another there!  But good luck, keep playing.