Blackouts - has this happened to anybody here?

[dinosaurtales]

this happened to me once a year or so ago, and I thought it was a one-time occurrence, but it happened again this week:

We had to perform compositions in a class, and it was my turn.  From the moment I stood up, until almost the end of class, I can't remember anything.  I don't remember playing the piece, I don't remember handing my manuscript to the  prof, I don't remember if anybody said anything to me, or if I said anything back.  it's really creeping me out, and it can't be good.  I am sure it has to do with some combination of stress and concentration, but I need to know how to control it somehow.  Everybody said I did just fine and acted normal, but it's just too weird.

[Bob]

It happens.  You attention is focused on the moment and not on remembering things.  I've done that.  No big deal.  I wouldn't really call it a "black out" though.  It's just that your mind is focused differently than normal.  It's a good reason for all that practice -- in case you're running on autopilot during the performance.  Maybe just practice performing more beforehand and relax more.

[danyal]

A friend of mine had to play an audition for a concerto festival when she was about 9/10 years old. It was a mvt out of a Haydn concerto and she didnt know it properly by the time the audition finally came. On the day, she wouldnt let anyone talk to her, touch her, come anywhere near her and screamed at them to go away if they did. She arrived at the audition, walked inside, played it absolutley flawlessly and came out. She doesnt remember it at all. I completely agree with Bob's thread. There's nothing wrong with you, promise, its normal. ish.

[luvslive]

that sounds scary!  i would worry if you experienced this again, and at a time of less stress.  when i get up in front of people to speak, often times my mind goes completely blank, there is so much pressure in my head that there will be a white flash.  hope that doesn't make me crazy.
i've had a similar experience, though, and thank goodness it hasn't happened again.  i was performing jimbo's lullaby in a college setting, and had never had the least problem with memory.  at about measure 63 my mind went completely blank..i could not find the chord!  i decided to back up a bit and see if i couldn't get into it...no luck, stuck in the same place.  this was the best thing that could have happened to me, according to my piano teacher.  i was preparing for a recital and needed to have this bad experience BEFORE, not during the recital.  so now whenever i suddenly lose some bit of music in practice i am so thankful to have been alerted to a potential memory lapse and can really drill the notes into my memory.

[gruffalo]

I used to blackout on stage when i was around 6. it was put down to nerves and i was then diagnosed with anaemia, which i have now got rid of. it was usually due to overwhelming lights in a hall, or the atmosphere of a large church. when i was eight, i fainted in the Roya l Albert hall during a performance of Mahler's second symphony. all the other people in the choir were fine (we were roughly same age). this didnt stop till i was about 13.

I dont know about your version of blackouts, they seem very weird. If it happens again and more frequently, go get some blood tests and see a doctor about tablets with Iron and stuff. they helped great. Oh, and eat lots of salads and greens 

[ted]

I might be wrong, but I don't think the original poster was referring either to memory failure during performance or to passing out. I interpreted it as describing what amounts to an isolated black hole in short term memory. Speaking for myself, that would give me a worse fright than either of the first two phenomena. If it were me I would see a doctor if the incidence of these episodes increases in frequency.

[Jacey1973]

Yeah - it's happened to me too, it sounds very familiar. In the last year i've had a couple of performances where i've come off stage and can't remember a thing about the performance.

This usually happens if it's been a relatively uneventful performance - when i've just gone on auto pilot. It annoys me when this happens because i think i should concentrate more and be consciously aware of everything.

But it happens, you're not alone!

[rob47]

this happened to me once a year or so ago, and I thought it was a one-time occurrence, but it happened again this week:

We had to perform compositions in a class, and it was my turn.  From the moment I stood up, until almost the end of class, I can't remember anything.  I don't remember playing the piece, I don't remember handing my manuscript to the  prof, I don't remember if anybody said anything to me, or if I said anything back.  it's really creeping me out, and it can't be good.  I am sure it has to do with some combination of stress and concentration, but I need to know how to control it somehow.  Everybody said I did just fine and acted normal, but it's just too weird.

acid flashback maybe?

I've had blackouts before but I just ignore them and they go away.  It's a surprisingly effective method! I have thousands of painful memories and emotions all locked safely away in the back of my head where they are unable to grasp my conscious with their grief-inciting tentacles.  Any thoughts which cause even a shred of anxiety are swept under the subconscious rug into the unconscious where I'm sure they will stay, causing me no stress whatsoever, until my death!  Yes running away from problems is not just the best method, it's also the only method that gives you that feeling of complete peace of mind.

However, consider consulting a doctor as the abovementioned remedy, unlikely as it seems, could possibly cause longer term problems...although I can't possibly imagine what.