The moment on stage just before playing the first note/s

[destinysora]

When on stage or performing anywhere what is it wise to think about? I mean, before you actually start the piece BUT after you have bowed and have sat down?

[pianisten1989]

I think it's very individual, but I mostly think about my breathing. If I'm all pumped up, it's good to make sure you breath normally, or else it can be a disaster when you tart to play 1000 times to fast.
Also, one should probably think about the piece you're about to play. Try to find the tempo you want.

This may sound weird, but I also take a quick look on the audience to see if there's anything strange that could take my focus. I once played a recital, and suddenly it looked like a lady was laying on the first row, sleeping. I have a pause where I could look, to find out it was only an illusion. Nothing happened, but if I didn't know my piece as well as I did, it would probably mess up quite a bit. That would never happen if I would take the time to just see it before. Not like staring, but just glazing through... 

[scott13]

Coming from a Brass playing background before piano, i tend to sit down at the piano, find the tempo in my head, and then match my breathing to the tempo for several deep breaths. This deep breathing also helps one relax. Also agree about having a look around the hall/room/etc ideally you would have had time to practice in the hall on the piano before the recital which also helps

[richard black]

Think of the end of the piece you are about to play.

[thinkgreenlovepiano]

 
I sing the piece I'm going to play in my head- thinking about the tempo and dynamics of the beginning, etc... for me, if the beginning goes well, the rest of the piece just follows, because then I'm no longer so nervous....

Also I take lots of deep breaths!

[floydcramerfan]

For me it was usually a quick prayer.  Also, this sounds stupid, but in college we had performance class where we would play the latest piece we learned.  I would always have to check the bench to find out where I was on the keyboard.  I don't have vision, so I would have to hit a quick note to see where I was so I didn't start on the wrong octave.  Of course if you're doing a solo recital you don't have to worry about that.

[omar_roy]

In this order:
I know this piece
I hear the first few notes in my head at the tempo I want
I hear the last few notes in my head at the tempo I want
A couple of breaths, and go.

[mcdiddy1]

Breathe, find starting position tempo/ pulse, hear the piece in the mind, breathe and play. From playing violin , it is generally a bad idea to look at the audiences faces because it can make them uncomfortable and distract you. Although way before playing the piece, it is a good idea to play on the instrument to get a good feel for the acoustics and touch needed for the instrument.

[invictious]

The first note, what is it going to sound like?

Focus, focus, focus.

Think of your heart. Listen to that heart rate. Feel the effects of the adrenaline of performing. Gauge that feeling. Savour it.
Think of your lungs. Breathing steadily.
Think of your feet. One on the pedal, the other on the floor to stabilise yourself.
Think of your legs.
Think of your hips, the base of all movements for piano playing.
Think of your back. Straight and proud, keeping a proper posture.
Think of your shoulders. Relaxed.
Think of your arms, also relaxed.
Think of your hands, ready to strike the first note.

Have at it.

[mrvladimirhorowitz]

Once you have bowed. Take a seat at the piano. Put your hands in your lap and count to ten, waiting for silence. Once your are happy, lift up your hands and in one motion start playing. If the piece starts very quietly perhaps put the pedal on before you start. If the piece starts f lift up your arms and hands and boldly start playing Hope I have helped, any more questions, inbox me.

[venik]

I'm thinking about the first notes, and that is about it. When I play I don't think about anything but the sound that is coming out, everything else I believe should be second nature and subconscious. The more you spread your attention the less skilled you are and the more sloppy your playing will be.

[gerryjay]

Dear Sora,
that's an interesting thread.

1. I think the most important thing was already commented: breathing. There are endless way of focus on your breath, and the best advice is probably try a bunch of them to see what (and how does it) works.

2. To me, everything starts on backstage, with a long session of yoga and stretching. I like to have at least half an hour, alone, to focus on my breadth and my body. Btw, this is fundamental to me: I need to feel what is my body like in that particular day. Then, this is very personal, I have a moment of prayer and I'm done to go to the stage.

3. Well, about your specific question, I understand the moment after the last person stop clapping and the moment I actually start playing as a moment of balance. Backstage, I was by myself, absolutely peaceful and relaxed; then, the crowd, the light, the adrenalin. The point is: both states of mind are not proper to piano playing.

4. When you are too relaxed, your mind travels freely, normally far far away from what you have to do; on the other hand, a shot of adrenalin (because this is the effect of getting on stage) also puts you in a state of mind that is not that good. So, as I said, you must balance again and focusing on your breadth is a cool strategy.

5. I also like to think about people I know that really enjoy what I will play (friends, mom and dad, my wife), and imagine they are my audience (regardless where the actual audience are them or 500 strangers). That makes me very confortable to play.

6. A final strategy that I used as a defensive tool and become sort of a signature: I always begin with a long work, with a quite easy beggining, that sets me in the mood of the recital or - at least - of the first part. A favorite example is Mozart's c minor fantasia before the sonata, or before the c minor Schubert Impromptu. Another one, particularly effective, are Satie's Trois Gymnopedies before Debussy.

Oxygenated regards,
Jay.

[destinysora]

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