How to Relax On-Stage?

[atticus]

Hi all,

When I play at home, I can play my memorized recital piece with lots of feeling and decent tone.  However, when I get on-stage to perform, I am so thrown off by nerves (shortness of breath, heart racing and a little tremor) that I have a hard time playing with feeling and good tone (since I'm not relaxed).  I end up just playing one note after the other to get to the end of the piece (so I can get off the stage)!  

Does anyone have any advice on how to overcome this?

Thanks!
atticus

[ryanyee]

just allow the music you are going to play to fill your mind.

[ramseytheii]

When you practice, concentrate on how your whole body, especially your lower back, goes into playing phsyical patterns - not just single notes, but patterns.  Then, concentrate on keeping your body active, and the lower back engaged, during the succession of those patterns (ie the whole piece).

When you get on stage and are nervous, usually what happens is the body freezes up, the hands either feel cold or start sweating (or both), the blood flow is impeded, the mind races ahead of the body, or perhaps behind.  At these moments, you should concentrate on the activation of your entire body to play large pieces of the music, especially concentrating on how your lower back participates.

I think this has two important effects: one, it brings your attention to your core, which will regulate the nervous condition of the rest of your body; and two, it takes your mind out of a neurotic state and into a broader, calmer, state of being.  If you practiced engaging your body on patterns and a succession of patterns, you can grasp that practice and hold onto it like a life vessel.

Walter Ramsey

[dan101]

Practice playing in front of smaller groups of people first (friends, family...). Also, relax your hands, play with personality and fulfil the needs of the copmposer. If your mind is centered around those thoughts, there's little room for panic. Good luck.

[netzow]

2 things first off perform more, I found that the more I perform the less nervious I get. Second when you practice pretend that you are performing. I have found this to help.

[atticus]

Hi,

Thanks for all of the suggestions.  I will definitely give them a try!

atticus

[nyonyo]

You have to simulate the thought as if you were performing in front of people while you practice. Imagine there are hundreds of people in your living room listening to your playing. Otherwise, you will never emotionally ready.