HYPNOTHERAPY

[zheer]

 I had my first piano lesson with my new piano teacher, she introdused me to Hypnotherapy during the piano lesson to help me with confidance and stage fright also to improve my musical abilitys. Am looking forward to seeing her again cause i think she can help me a lot. Anyway what are your thoughts on Hypnotherapy incorporated into a piano lesson.

[pianistimo]

i think there's a difference between hypnotherapy and high levels of concentration.  from my perspective deep concentration is allowing your mind to process things in the subconcious as well as concious by deep relaxation.  this may seem very close to hypnotherapy - but, if she is the one hypnotizing you - you are giving her too much power.   then, you would rely on your teacher and not yourself.

music is a world of it's own - and you have to actively choose which side you are taking.  virtuosity for virtuosities sake - or the slow road.  don't trade your soul for a piece of bread (or in this case music).  that's my opinion.  take things slow and easy and learn to do everything for yourself - including how to concentrate at deep levels through your own methods and prayer to God.  that's just my opinion.

*one more thing that i've found really helpful is to exercise as much as you can.  you learn to control your body at will better.  can learn to relax faster, know what it feels like, to control breathing (at different levels of concentration), to even control your adrenaline flow and the level you want to be at in terms of energy and brain function.  also, exercise increases the oxygen flow to your brain - and it's REALLY helped my memory.

[zheer]

Thanks pianistimo, i will keep that thought in mind, i dont think i was hypnotized, i was  tought just  ways to treat problems like stage fright etc etc.

[pianistimo]

yes.  it's hard to overcome stage fright.  wonder if anyone truly gets over it.  but, i've found once i start playing - then i get so into the music that it sort of blocks out everything else (when i'm really practiced).  getting enough sleep REALLY helps.  if you make it a routine to always practice late at night - you can start getting a little mixed up.  the idea 'moderation in all things' is hard to do with a passion - but you have to find the right balance for yourself that brings the optimum results.  my teacher suggested drinking a lot of water.  maybe good health in general - produces better playing.

my self form of therapy is to imagine the first page of whatever i'm about to play.  set the tempo.  be away from any distraction (even if you have to walk away from a group of people before you go on stage).  have 2-3 minutes ALONE does help.  imagine yourself already there.  then you get rid of the initial fright and once that's done - you set your breathing with a couple of really deep cleansing breaths.  everyone's different so i guess what works for one person might not work for another.

strangely, i think i play better in front of strangers.  i've never liked having friends and family tell me they are coming (they have to be discreet about where they sit, too).  somehow, i think if i'm playing for strangers, if i really mess up, i'll never see them again.

[rc]

yes.  it's hard to overcome stage fright.  wonder if anyone truly gets over it.  but, i've found once i start playing - then i get so into the music that it sort of blocks out everything else (when i'm really practiced).  getting enough sleep REALLY helps.  if you make it a routine to always practice late at night - you can start getting a little mixed up.  the idea 'moderation in all things' is hard to do with a passion - but you have to find the right balance for yourself that brings the optimum results.  my teacher suggested drinking a lot of water.  maybe good health in general - produces better playing.

my self form of therapy is to imagine the first page of whatever i'm about to play.  set the tempo.  be away from any distraction (even if you have to walk away from a group of people before you go on stage).  have 2-3 minutes ALONE does help.  imagine yourself already there.  then you get rid of the initial fright and once that's done - you set your breathing with a couple of really deep cleansing breaths.  everyone's different so i guess what works for one person might not work for another.

Very good ideas. Everything I've heard and experienced about stagefright indicates that nobody ever truely gets over it, it's a human reaction. Stagefright doesn't vanish, but you can learn to control it.

I think that's some very good advice Pianistimo. It sounds like the idea of 'visualization' in. In effect, training your mind how to react to the situation before actually being there. The more accurate you can imagine the situation (to the point where you can feel the stagefright from the safety of your bedroom even), the better you will react in the real situation. You mind can go "oh, I know this feeling, now I breathe deep, set the right tempo...etc.".

It's also useful to be prepared for how to react when making a mistake. I think it would be the same idea as when people say to practice as if you're performing (not stopping and correcting, but keep it moving as if people were listening).

Hypnotherapy might be the same thing, I don't know. Very curious to hear how it works for you!