Recovering from a bad performance

[chopianista]

So I played at this somewhat low-key recital at my university today and I completely butchered it. There was actually a pretty big crowd - some 40ish people, so that definitely made it worse. Anywho, I was playing Bach's Prelude and Fugue No.2 in C Minor and the prelude just a pretty epic fail - I got lost several times, tried restarting it and finally just skipped to the end. I couldn't remember what notes to play at all. Oddly enough, the fugue (which I had spent less time studying) went rather well. I'm able to laugh about it now - at least when I fail, I fail epicly - but how do I prevent this from happening again? I've played several times before pretty decent sized groups - 20/30ish people - and I have yet to have such a bad experience.

[ionian_tinnear]

1. It happens to everyone (probably!)
2. Don't let it get you down, get over it and move on, easy to say but hard to do!
3. Practice relaxing, remember the audience is on your side, they want you to succeed.  Anyone who laughs isn't worth caring about..

[williampiano]

Yeah, the same thing has happened to me a few times. My previous teacher told me that when you first start performing, there is going to be a time or two that you totally mess up. But after a while, once you've performed quite a few times, it will stop happening (as long as you practice). I found that true with me. I had a a few horrible mess ups when I first began performing, but now I have played in front of audiences at least forty times and I never have problems like that anymore. Piano performing is really just something you get used to over time.

[pianoplayjl]

Just think optimistically after the performance that you can bounce back. Everyone must have some highs and lows in performance. As you perform more you wouldn't even mind the mistakes and get used to the pressure. Close your eyes as you start the piece.

JL

[49410enrique]

1. It happens to everyone (probably!)
2. Don't let it get you down, get over it and move on, easy to say but hard to do!
3. Practice relaxing, remember the audience is on your side, they want you to succeed.  Anyone who laughs isn't worth caring about..

i agree this is spot on, i crashed and burned about a year ago , after i had my pitty party i just committed to learning from the experience, identifying what might have contributed to the bad performance or rather what got in the way of a good one, set out to id from that those in my control and tried to fix what i could.

number three is very good, try to remember those watching (the ones that matter) are on your side, think of them more like a cheerleading section for you rather than being there to take you apart.

also remember we strive for an impossible goal (i.e. 'perfection') the best anyone can do to to improve something the next time around.

good luck and definately don't let it get you down or define you next performance, use it to fuel a better one

[chopianista]

Thanks for the great advice so far! I performed a duet with a friend the next day, and it was really enjoyable! Somehow duets are less problematic for me - having the sheet music in front and someone else performing at the same time definitely helps. I'm playing at a recital this Wednesday, so we'll see how it goes. I'm actually starting get somewhat pumped up for it because I'm playing fun pieces, so I'm hoping for the best 
Anyone have any advice on how to reach the balance between not caring enough and caring too much? I think my main problem is that I get to freaked out by people's expectations for me (particularly those of my teacher and friends that know I can play well...).

[pytheamateur]

1. It happens to everyone (probably!)
2. Don't let it get you down, get over it and move on, easy to say but hard to do!
3. Practice relaxing, remember the audience is on your side, they want you to succeed.  Anyone who laughs isn't worth caring about..

Yes 3 is very true.  I remember the first time I performed I played a few wrong notes in a Scarlatti Sonata.  I felt bad to such an extent that I even mistakenly thought that the praise I had afterwards might be sarcastic. 

[justharmony]

I'd agree with that number three suggestion, too, but add that it is through music that we very often find a sort of sublime connection with others that goes well beyond just their being on "our side", and I find it can be helpful to remember that that is what we all are seeking to some extent, no?

I'll also admit that I've had more "bad" performances than I woudl care to count (once, years ago, the last 'piece' I played, and the last piece on the program, was Debussy's Gardens in the Rain, and, as you might expect by now, I COMPLETELY missed that last fabulous note.  Wow.  What a way to end a recital!) but my point is that I'm still here.  Still wanting to share music with others perhaps more than ever.  I suspect you'll be fine.

JH