Nervous about making a CD

[gerda64]

Hello All,

I'm new to the forum - thought not the street!   I'm currently choosing pieces for a CD - just one for myself and family and friends.   But I've noticed that since the idea of the CD emerged, my practicing has disimproved.   I play a lot but minus the focus or indeed the passion that I used enjoy with my piano.   I'm a bit nervous about the CD, I want it to be really good and yet despite this I find this procrastination is dogging my footsteps or rather my fingertips.   Anyhow I just wondered if any of you out there had any views on the matter and how you feel when you're about to make a recording?   

I hope I get a reply or three?   Thanks for your interest.

Gerda

[pianississimo]

First, some questions: Are you under any sort of time crunch and are you having yourself professionally recorded?
 As of this minute, these are my comments: One tactic I use on myself when recording is that if I don't like one take, I can always do another!  Also, are your family and friends musicians? If they aren't, I would say that people, in general, usually aren't very critical; on the other hand, if the people in question are musicians, I still wouldn't worry b/c, if you think about it, the recordings of the masters from the first half of the last century aren't even note perfect.  What is important is the over all impression we get of your interpretations

All that to say, I wouldn't sweat it!

[ancientsolar]

This is a cool topic! ~ Just to record stuff to put onto youtube puts me into that perfection attitude, but if performing for church congregation of sometimes 100+ ~ I dont feel the pressure and im happy for them to record, ~ I believe its all very psychological, ~ once you get used to camera being there you`ll be ok, ~ maybe use it on every practice session to.. so it becomes the norm.

Is it possible to record without the thought of uploading it to a CD to ?

[gerda64]

Thanks for taking the interest to respond.   Actually it is just a CD (no camera) that I'm making.  And it will be in the studio of a friend, who happens to be a professional.    Yes my family are musicial though not musicians but they will not be in the vicinity during recording.   I think the problem lies within myself ... I'm anxious to be good and not let myself down.

lHope this makes sense? 

Gerda

[pianississimo]

This makes total sense! I know exactly what you mean because I tend to freak out too about anything performance-related

[dechtenberg]

Greetings, and congratulations on your upcoming recording!

As others have already pointed out, you can always record another take if you mess up. As one who's done a good deal of recording (of both my own playing and that of others), I would add that recording is not like live performance, and for some it requires a different type of practicing. Allow me to explain:

First, in an audio recording, no one can see you -- this removes an entire dimension from your performance. If you are one who performs publicly a great deal, this may be irrelevant since the visual component of your playing may already have become subconscious. But if you don't play in public as often, or if you suffer from performance anxiety, it might help to leave out the thinking about the visual component of your playing when you practice - all that matters is that the notes, style, and technique are right.

Second, if you're nervous now, you'll probably be much more nervous once your friend hits the record button. It's different for every performer, but for most of the ones I know, the fact that you're being recorded and the desire to lay down that elusive "perfect take" will work against you in the studio. The key is just to remind yourself that the "perfect take" will virtually never happen - just try it a few times and choose what you like most. Consequently, in your practicing, don't stress about perfection.

Finally (and this is also psychological), keep it in perspective: since you've mentioned that this recording is primarily for family and friends, bare in mind that they will almost never be as harsh a judge of your playing as you will. It's easy to pick out mistakes in your own playing because you know both (1) your owns weaknesses and (2) all the ins and outs of the piece you're playing. But most of your listeners won't have this knowledge when they hear your recording, so they won't be as critical.

Best of luck!
LD