How do you respond to having not performed for a while ?

[m19834]

It can be whatever a "performance" means to you.

[dan101]

You're probably not getting too many responses because few want to admit to not having work in the recital department! I think that anyone with a serious teaching schedule often goes months without a serious recital. Having said that, if I'm in a position where I have not performed in a while, I most certainly gather some friends and/or students and perform informally. It helps keep me sharp.

[m19834]

Oh ... hee hee.  I severely blushed when reading your post because I feel embarrassed that perhaps I asked an uncomfortable question !  But, yes, I understand.  My only solace right now is that nobody actually saw my face catch on fire just a few moments ago.  Sorry !

In any respect, I suppose I was aiming more at figuring out how most people respond to not being on stage for a while, whatever timeframe "a while" is for the individual.  A good friend of mine told me there was a time when it had been a while, and she was ready to throw herself out of their apartement's second-story window in the middle of the night, because she needed to be on stage and had been up for hours pacing around the room because of it !  I think I can relate.  I just wonder how many people feel that way ? 

But in any respect, as always, nobody has to answer .  I am just being my usual curious self  .  Thanks for your response

[Edit]Okay, I have reworded the question.

[db05]

Lucky me, I've had performances at least twice a year since I started. But not piano yet... Guitar. When I had my first piano recital, all the performance confidence were washed away. It felt like BOTH instruments were new to me.

This topic reminds me of our history and theories teacher. He never practices. He has no time. He teaches piano, though. Says he doesn't mind, but the fact makes ME uncomfortable. We rarely hear him play; he's so shy about it. And I really want to hear him play!

[Bob]

I've found it depends most on what I think of the audience's opinion of my playing and if I can about that at all. 

Otherwise, it's just another run through but it's in front of people. 

I suppose I don't consider the actual performance too important though.  That might have something to do with it. 

Otherwise...
Maybe being a little irritated at being interrupted in my practicing. 

More focus on how to prepare a piece of music.

Maybe a little more nerves at the beginning of the performance.

Realization of increased listening abilities and things that I didn't work on or don't know how to work on yet.

Maybe a shift in mindset of priorities.  If there's no performance, you can focus on different things, explore, etc.  If a performance is coming up, those 'someday projects' get pushed aside and everything gets priotized by what's important for making the performance go well. 

[thierry13]

I just know Richter reacted pretty badly. Almost made a depression once I think.

[lostinidlewonder]

There is no excuse for not performing your music! There are a lot of places which will be glad to listen to you, you do not have to expect to be paid! Performing keeps your sword sharpened, so it is worth not being paid when playing in public sometimes. I don't like the excuse from teachers that they are too busy with their students to perform, because to me it is the same as the excuse my students give me when they say they haven't had enough time to practice piano. ^_^ Stage fright however is a different matter I guess.

Playing at home is safe, you can make mistakes and you know you can start again without any penalty. But I think we should change the way in which we consider our practice. When I practice I am often considering that there are people listening to me. It pushes me to think in this mindset all the time when I play piano, so it makes no difference mentally if I play for an audience or am by myself. I can switch on this type of thinking however, when you first learn a piece you don't want to imagine that people are listening to you 100% of the time

[goldentone]

Except for playing for my family, it has been quite a long time since I performed (my senior recital).  All these years since I stopped taking piano in college, having only played in stints, a real desire and need to perform has surfaced, and my response has been thus:  (1) I have gotten serious and made piano a priority. (2) I am slowly burning a place in the future with my eyes. 

[m19834]

(2) I am slowly burning a place in the future with my eyes. 

hee hee ... what do you mean ?  If you don't mind me asking .  And,

2).*  What kind of eyes ?

[goldentone]

hee hee ... what do you mean ?  If you don't mind me asking . 

Like the slow but sure magnifying glass harnessing the sun, so by intensity of focus (my eyes) I am creating a place for myself to perform.

And,

2).*  What kind of eyes ?

The deep set hazel ones. 

[morningstar]

I haven't performed since last May at the Eistedfodd but have not been allowed since then as 17 is the last age people can compete. I hope to perform a bit informally soon.

[sharon_f]

The last time I performed was almost 40 years ago when I was a junior in high school. I stopped playing the piano a few months later and didn't touch one again till about 4 years ago. Right now, at my teacher's urging, I am trying to put together a small program to perform this coming March.