I cannot perform at my 100 percent potential when in front of the teacher?

[rovis77]

Hi, Why is it so difficult to perform at a 100 percent when in front of the teacher?. I play a lot better when Im alone, is this normal?. anyone else has the same problem?. how can you fix it

[louispodesta]

Hi, Why is it so difficult to perform at a 100 percent when in front of the teacher?. I play a lot better when Im alone, is this normal?. anyone else has the same problem?. how can you fix it

1) We do not know how old you are or for how many years you have been studying, and
2)  There is not a pianist ever born who did not have your same experience, except that I suggest that you quantify your experience in a lesson, in terms of percentage.
3)  After that, there are certain recommendations I can make because I had this same problem on a degree far worse than anything you can imagine, and now it is gone!

[quantum]

We go to lessons in order to improve, to learn, to grow.  When one reveals one's weakest skills to one's teacher, one is actually getting the most out of lessons as the teacher is able to identify these points and help one improve.  Sure it feels good to display one's strengths, but these are usually in need of less attention as one has already developed them to a degree. 

[conman89]

It's all mental dude

I had the same trouble when I started bass lessons you are trying to impress your teacher and you want to do good enough so your teacher thinks you can move to the next level. When you are alone there is no pressure to impress anyone so you are relaxed and preform well.

You just got to learn to overcome your nerves. Great book on this is "the mental game of baseball" it haas a baseball focus but the principals are applicable to anything 

[brogers70]

Many of my best lessons have been on days when I got nervous in front of my teacher and played much worse than I had at home. The stress shines a light on technical problems. So don't worry about messing up in front of your teacher - it's often very helpful.

[timothy42b]

We do not rise to the occasion.  We sink to the level of our preparation.

What you play for the teacher is your true level.  That is good, it immediately focuses you on what you need to improve most.

[perfect_playing]

I've always thought that it is easy to play to 100% potential in front of a teacher. Because the outcome will be good regardless of what happens! If you play badly you will learn how to improve which is great, and if you play well you will receive confirmation that you are practising correctly and on the right track!
With this mindset there's nothing to worry about when playing in front of a teacher.

[lazyfingers]

We do not rise to the occasion.  We sink to the level of our preparation.

What you play for the teacher is your true level.  That is good, it immediately focuses you on what you need to improve most.

+1. That's my experience too.

I play very much better at home on new pieces, but they breakdown when she's next to me. Pieces I can play perfectly from memory will develop odd passages of wrong notes. And pieces played with elegance at home has the grace of a drunken sailor in her presence.

But after lots more work at home, all the aforementioned problems disappear. And then I know the pie is ready to take out of the oven.

[louispodesta]

+1. That's my experience too.

I play very much better at home on new pieces, but they breakdown when she's next to me. Pieces I can play perfectly from memory will develop odd passages of wrong notes. And pieces played with elegance at home has the grace of a drunken sailor in her presence.

But after lots more work at home, all the aforementioned problems disappear. And then I know the pie is ready to take out of the oven.

Okay, this has to do with the 20th century myth of individual lessons.  You mean, Mr. Podesta,  that Chopin and Czerny did not teach that way?  Of course they did, because they got paid an enormous amount of money to do so.

However, the major teachers of the 19th century (Leschetizky, Clara Schumann, and Liszt)) had very large enrollments that were taught by teaching assistants, and by the masters themselves in GROUP LESSONS!!!

The point is that:  if you are not put in a stressful (one on one) situation, you will not have the problem.  So, what do you do?

You ask your teacher when their next "Studio Class" is, and then you take it from there.  You tell him/her that is the way you want to proceed.

Remember, you pay the teacher, and not the other way around.  Never forget that.

[lazyfingers]

The point is that:  if you are not put in a stressful (one on one) situation, you will not have the problem.  So, what do you do?

Who said it was stressful? Who said it was a problem?

I actually love my lessons and look forward to them. My teacher is actually very sweet. It is the playing for others that tests whether one is ready in a piece or not. One is never ready to begin with, but achieve readiness with preparation.

You ask your teacher when their next "Studio Class" is, and then you take it from there.  You tell him/her that is the way you want to proceed.

I don't have to take group lessons. I think they are a waste of time myself. Individual attention solves individual problems. Group lessons don't work for me. Most of the time one spends listening to someone else with their problems. I'm not going to waste my time.

Remember, you pay the teacher, and not the other way around.  Never forget that.

Never forget that some teachers don't have to teach. You seem to think that a relationship with a teacher, maybe from your own personal experience, is one of commerce. May be true in a lot of cases, especially in the early stages of learning. However, there are situations where having money doesn't actually matter all that much.

[nick]

Hi, Why is it so difficult to perform at a 100 percent when in front of the teacher?. I play a lot better when Im alone, is this normal?. anyone else has the same problem?. how can you fix it

Try video recording yourself alone playing and see if your perception of your playing is accurate.

Nick

[timothy42b]

Try video recording yourself alone playing and see if your perception of your playing is accurate.

Nick

Good suggestion.

Also, make this video when you first sit down, like you would at the lesson, not after an hour of working on a piece and getting it much better.

[jesc]

A lot of factors can come into play and will leave most guessing what is the actual problem. Does it have something specific to do with your teacher? Do you also find it difficult to play 100% in front of other people?

If it's about finding it difficult to play 100% in front of other people then the only solution to that is experience which is gained through recitals. If it's specific with your teacher, I don't know.

The point is that the teacher is there to see your mistakes ,your weaknesses and correct them. In fact, I'm wondering why you had to consult the forum instead of asking your teacher about the problem.

When I was preparing for a concerto years ago I honestly consulted my teacher and got very useful and practical advice (some of which you can tell came from years of experience playing on stage).

[bernadette60614]

For me, it is that I am conscious of the audience.  My current teacher is the sweetest, nicest person on the planet. She's also a wonderful teacher.

Even knowing that, and liking her as much as I do, she's an audience.