Shaking hands

[pianoman53]

When I'm in the practicing room, and in lesson, I can play so that my teacher sometimes doesn't really have any major things to say (The last two or three lessons he said that my playing was very very good, and really just mentioned like one detail per piece). Then I was playing for a jury, and my hands started shaking like a minor parkinson (I'm not making fun, it's really like that) and obviously I couldn't control anything I did, and there were probably more wring notes than right...

Does anyone know anything about that, and what to do about it? And I don't talk about a bit shaking but really uncontrolled...

[pytheamateur]

When I'm in the practicing room, and in lesson, I can play so that my teacher sometimes doesn't really have any major things to say (The last two or three lessons he said that my playing was very very good, and really just mentioned like one detail per piece). Then I was playing for a jury, and my hands started shaking like a minor parkinson (I'm not making fun, it's really like that) and obviously I couldn't control anything I did, and there were probably more wring notes than right...

Does anyone know anything about that, and what to do about it? And I don't talk about a bit shaking but really uncontrolled...

It happens to me too.  The advice  given to me is to focus on how beautiful the music is, so your mind does not have time to think about nerves and playing wrong notes.  Sound advice, I think, although I agree it's not easy to put it in practice.

[nyiregyhazi]

When I'm in the practicing room, and in lesson, I can play so that my teacher sometimes doesn't really have any major things to say (The last two or three lessons he said that my playing was very very good, and really just mentioned like one detail per piece). Then I was playing for a jury, and my hands started shaking like a minor parkinson (I'm not making fun, it's really like that) and obviously I couldn't control anything I did, and there were probably more wring notes than right...

Does anyone know anything about that, and what to do about it? And I don't talk about a bit shaking but really uncontrolled...

There are mental approaches but, in my experience they rarely scratch the surface. this used to be a big problem for me, but technical changes made all the difference. you may say that your technique is fine because you're okay in the practise room, but I played fine in a practise room yet had problems in front of an audience. since I made technical changes, I don't (or at least not to anything like the level of before).

it's a matter of security. If the fingers stand clearly on the keys (not necessarily with significant arm weight bearing down) and the arm has length, any trembling will be absorbed by the chain. this gives a sense of physical assurance that helps any mental issues. if you don't find physical security, you'll become very aware of it which induces a vicious circle of panic and probably try to fight it by tightening muscles- which will make it worse. you need to find security in your contact with the piano, in a way that allows the arm to be loose yet perfectly stable. unless there is real mastery of these issues to start with, mental approaches can have extremely limited success.


why not post a video?

[le_poete_mourant]

Different strategies work for different people. You must find what is best for you. I find that when I get very nervous, it helps for me to sing to myself (either mentally or outloud somewhat softly so that it doesn't distract my audience). It is quite calming. Also try sitting and pressing your hands gently together at the palms. I always play like sh*t in juries, and it tends to turn into a vicious cycle where I expect to play badly and then it happens and so on.... A lot times your most effective tool will be confidence and security, as pianoman said.

[louispodesta]

I have had tremors for all of my 61 years.  When I was in music school, I couldn't even play in a lesson.

Then, when I was venting my frustration over having folded during my senior jury, a fellow classmate said:  why don't you take Inderal?  He said that all of the musicians in Europe take it, and it is prescribed for stage fright.

To cut to the chase, I actually started laughing during my next jury because the nerves monkey was off of my back forever.

So, for the short term, have your Doctor write you a prescription for this very common non-narcotic beta blocker.  It is available generically, and it is cheap.

What it does is to temporarily restrict your adrenal glands, which is what happens when you get nervous.  Your body starts pumping tons of insulin into your bloodstream, and for the time being, the tremors are irreversible, regardless of any "good thoughts" you might conjure up.

Unlike Valium or Xanax, Inderal does not effect your mind and cause memory slips.

Second, I underwent Neurofeedback training a few years ago, and it has made a permanent change in my nervous system.  It is expensive, but a study out of the Royal Conservatory in London showed a 40% improvement in performance among piano majors.

Finally, there is a cardiac breathing biofeedback program called Heartmath, which I do every day for five minutes.  It is a recommended follow-up to Neurofeedback.  After awhile, you can "zone in" on your breathing at will.

So, put a big smile on your face because you are now on the road to getting rid of your nerve problems once and for all.  Your Doctor will have you start out with a small dosage, and then you have to see what is the right amount for your particular body.  Also, you  have to see how much time ahead of your playing that you should take it before it takes effect.

Good luck to you.

[jazzyprof]

For a non-medical approach try eating a couple of bananas before a performance.  It is believed that they contain a natural beta blocker that can help alleviate nerves and the shaking hands.

[gvans]

What it does is to temporarily restrict your adrenal glands, which is what happens when you get nervous.  Your body starts pumping tons of insulin into your bloodstream, and for the time being, the tremors are irreversible, regardless of any "good thoughts" you might conjure up.

Unlike Valium or Xanax, Inderal does not effect your mind and cause memory slips.

All good advice re the propanolol (the generic name for Inderal)...but I can't let an error in the explanation stand uncorrected. Beta blockers block the adrenergic system, which has nothing to do with blocking insulin directly. They block epinephine (Adrenalin), both at beta-1 (cardiac) and beta-2 (respiratory) receptors throughout the body. There is also some blockage of these receptors in the liver that prevents the liver from producing glycogen, so your blood sugar levels can drop on this med, and you might need to snack a bit before a performance or during intermission. Also, if you have asthma, a beta-blocker can exacerbate that. If you take too much, you may get dizzy standing up suddenly (postural hypotension), so rise slowly.

Other than that, propanolol puts a lid on your native epinephrine (Adrenalin) and is a good way to stop the shakes, as Louis said. Too much can put the lid on a good performance, though, and make for a bland showing. Practice and learn what is the correct amount for you. Receptor counts vary individual by individual.

Glenn

[rachmaninoff_forever]

When I'm in the practicing room, and in lesson, I can play so that my teacher sometimes doesn't really have any major things to say (The last two or three lessons he said that my playing was very very good, and really just mentioned like one detail per piece). Then I was playing for a jury, and my hands started shaking like a minor parkinson (I'm not making fun, it's really like that) and obviously I couldn't control anything I did, and there were probably more wring notes than right...

Does anyone know anything about that, and what to do about it? And I don't talk about a bit shaking but really uncontrolled...

Get distracted. 

Like focus on how nice the acoustics of the hall are, or how good the piano is, or how bad the jury smells, or how nice that one lady on the jury looks, etc...

[louispodesta]

gvans:

Thanks for the clarification, although my main point was that the Propranalol's main effect was to restrict the action of the adrenals.  Additionally, I would like to share some more information on this drug.

Someone once told me that most surgeons take Inderal before they operate regardless of how many years they have been practicing medicine.  I asked a classmate of mine who went on to be a doctor about it, and she said, "well, I sure take it before I operate."

The point is that our society is constantly being told that prescription drugs are bad for you, and that simply is not true.  All medicines are designed to aid the body in its ability to heal itself.

In addition, when the body is put into an unnatural stressful situation, like motion sickness or stage fright, science has come up with some pretty non-toxic ways to deal with it.  And, that is all Inderal is.

Finally, unless you have experienced the sheer horror of losing total control in the middle of playing a piece of music, you have no idea of what it is like never having to worry about it again.

Also, as an aside, I always recommend that a person see a good endocrinologist before starting something like this.  They can test you for possible thyroid problems, which can lead to body stress, and most importantly, they are best at teaching you how to determine what dosage is right for you.

[pytheamateur]

If some pianists can manage performing without drugs, shouldn't we try and learn to do the same thing?  I doubt if these drugs actually cure the underlying problem that is causing stage fright.  You may think you have the problem sorted out by taking drugs, but in the end those who manage without drugs will always have a psychological advantage over you, and I can't help but think that this will show in the playing.

[louispodesta]

That is why my final long term recommendations are Neurofeedback, which is permanent, and also breath control.

We live in a world where are bodies and minds are bombarded with stress and strain on a daily basis.  So, the first thing is to do is to regain control, which is what the Inderal does, and it does so in a non-narcotic fashion.

Because I have gone through all three phases of this, I have a blast when I play.  It is pure love and joy.  All I can think of is the music.

But, to live a life of pure emotional hell, which is what Rudolph Serkin did, (and his son is now following in his footsteps), is not in any way a positive musical experience.  Hey, to paraphrase the old country song,  if this is what comes with being a classical musician, "I would rather drive a truck!"

So, what I am going to do right now is five minutes of breath control, and then I am going to practice for two hours, while being at total peace with my mind and body.   It can be done.
 

[nyiregyhazi]

Someone once told me that most surgeons take Inderal before they operate regardless of how many years they have been practicing medicine.  I asked a classmate of mine who went on to be a doctor about it, and she said, "well, I sure take it before I operate."


The point is that our society is constantly being told that prescription drugs are bad for you, and that simply is not true.  All medicines are designed to aid the body in its ability to heal itself.[quote/]

? Propranolol has nothing to do with healing. It goes without saying that medicines are designed not to heal but rather to help with something (which is presumably what they meant to say). But the fact that something is supposed to help with something doesn't mean it'll be good for you in the grand scheme of things or that there will be no side effects. The above argument about healing could be accurately applied to chemotherapy- but it wouldn't make it wise to indulge in it if you don't actually have cancer.

Personally, I take propranolol daily, as I have a mild tremor. Doing Feldenkrais exercises has helped relieve it substantially and makes me suspect that it was initially related to bad posture causing problems with nerves in the spine or something. However, I'm not convinced that it's a good idea to prescribe beta blockers merely for nerves, to a person who has no issue with a tremor outside of extreme pressure situations.

[louispodesta]

That is the beauty of this simple inexpensive drug.  You just take it when you think you are going to need it.

If you don't get tense before or during lessons, then don't take it before a lesson.

I will never forget seeing the two Serkins perform on separate television broadcasts.  The old man played the Mozart A Minor Rondo, and he was grinding his back teeth like crazy.  You could barely pay attention to the music because every time they showed a close-up all you could see was him flinching his jaw.

When Peter played the Brahms B Flat on television, he was shaking so hard, I thought he was going to have a stroke.  The point being, that none of this is necessary.

Hey, I will tell you who told me to take Inderal.  It was the great pianist Dickran Atamian.

"Ritchie" was studying under John Perry at the time, which was right before he won the Naumberg Competition.   And, there are very few pianists who have ever lived that play with more intensity (and beauty) than Ritchie.

Without his help, I would have never graduated.  I am forever in his debt.