Calming down performance jitters

[cnmrhyan]

I'm an adult student & have been taking lessons for about 15 months.  I absolutely love the challenge and can't wait each week to go & get new pieces.  My problem is I'm a shaky wreck when I have to play in front of people and I'm playing for a recital in 2 days.  My hands shake so bad that I'm certain I won't be able to keep my hands on the keys!!!  It's horrible.  I'm playing "Spinning Song" by Ellmenreich and if I make mistakes everyone will know because it's so repetitious.  It's been committed to memory for 2 months now so I'm not worried about that and I KNOW I can play it if my hands will stay on the piano.  Can someone please give my some suggestions to relax and enjoy this experience instead of feeling terror?  I'm the only adult student with my teacher and the rest of the program will be kids playing so it's mostly just parents, grandparents, etc. in the audience.  Not a big deal but I will still have nerves of Jello.  Please help!! 

[shortyshort]

I'm supposed to be playing in a very small competition tomorrow. I only entered because my daughter was entered by her teacher, and she was scared to do it on her own.

Now she's not scared, and i'm bricking it.

I intend to have a couple of pints before it's my turn.

[cnmrhyan]

Lol!!  Thanks shortyshort!  I have honestly wondered if that would help me or not.  The recital is in a church though and I'm afraid I might smell of liquor...unless you know of one that doesn't leave a lingering odor behind! lol!  My 12 yr. old daughter will be playing a duet with me also--not nervous about that though.  Good luck to you!

[pianowolfi]

Now she's not scared, and i'm bricking it.

So Rebby be nice to him!

[ramseytheii]

I heard that eating bananas can hlep.  But be careful, because a cellist friend of mine ate too many bananas, had some kind of reaction, and passed out backstage after the first piece on his program.

Walter Ramsey

[the_duck]

i had a banana and some mild herbal relaxation pills before a concert and it seemed to do the trick. good luck!

[atticus]

Hi,

I think you should just accept that your hands will shake and let them shake.  When you start to freak out because you notice your hands shaking, my advice is to think "let them shake - focus on the music".  The more you try to fight it, the more distracted you will get from the music.  This results in mistakes and even more shaking.  A downward spiral...

Bottom line, if you stay focused on the music, you will be able to the play the piece even with your hands shaking. 

Good luck,
atticus

[electrodoc]

A bit late for this recital but for the future.

Try recording the piece - you know, the definitive performance of all time!! It is sure to go wrong. When you can do a first take a few times then play in front of family and close friends. Try toget experience of an audience even if it is only the neighbours cat. The more exposure to an audience (no, not that type of exposure) the better. Eventually it will improve.

[shortyshort]

So Rebby be nice to him!

It was my other daughter who was playing, (younger than Rebby), and she did very well. She won one of her Classes, but not the other.

A good time was had by all.