Nerves before and exam

[yewtree]

Do most people feel very nervous before an exam?
What is the best way to try and block out nerves  and keeping really focused on the pieces to be played?

Thanks.  

[hardy_practice]

Be really focused on the pieces to be played.

[yewtree]

Apologies for the silly mistake I made in the heading, I was unable to edit in time.  It should read , Nerves before  an   exam.     

[dcstudio]

yes.. everyone that I have ever known and every student I have ever taught has complained of nerves before a performance or exam. 

I have always taught my students to combat nerves by planning out what you will think about as you play.  Sometimes I will have them make up lyrics to the main themes and sing them in their head while they practice and then while they perform.  This is also a great place to store information like note names, chord names or anything else you have a tendency to forget.  There are more holistic things you can do as well...  one's sense of smell is an incredibly powerful memory trigger...  simply wearing cologne while you practice and then while you perform (the same cologne of course)  will make things seem more familiar at your performance.  Here on the forum we have discussed aromatherapy as a pre-performance nerve settling agent as well--if you try this... let the forum know.. this should work extremely well but none of us have tried it yet...lol

Set up a routine of taking a couple of deep breathes before you practice your exam pieces--repeat this before you begin to play at the exam--discreetly of course... 

the biggest danger is a wandering mind.. it will cake your performance every time...  keep it busy and it won't have time to mess with you...

best of luck... the more you do this the easier it will get.

Of course it goes without saying.... no coffee, or high caffeine drinks before an exam...  cold medicine, allergy medicine...bad, too. 

[yewtree]

Thank you dcstudio,  your advise is much appreciated.  I think making up lyrics to the music is a brilliant idea, and I feel will help me also for future learning pieces, it makes it enjoyable and more focused .  I have read about  only to drink water before an exam also I shall remember the deep breathing exercises.
I'm not so sure what to use for aromatherapy,  I've probably left it a bit late for that really, but I shall keep it in mind.   


 

 

[louispodesta]

Do most people feel very nervous before an exam?
What is the best way to try and block out nerves  and keeping really focused on the pieces to be played?

Thanks.  

It would behoove those who post here to use the search box at the right hand corner of the screen to see if their particular question has been addressed before.  Accordingly, from a prior post of March 3, 2015, I repeat the following answer "for the third time:"

["Until I played my senior jury, I knew that I would fail, and I knew that I would fold due to nerves. Then, as I have shared on this website before, a fellow student of mine (who won the Naumberg Competition) said:  have you ever heard of Inderal?  This was 1981, and not 2015.

He further shared that all of the classical musicians in Europe (1981!) used in on a regular basis.  And further, it is not a narcotic, is not physiologically addictive, and IT WORKS!

This is a (generically available - cheap!) medication, which is probably the most prescribed Beta Blocker in the world.  It slows your heart rate by restricting the amount of Adrenalin that gets pumped into your system.  That is why the FDA approved pharmacological literature lists it as being prescribed for "stage fright."

So, get yourself to an Endocrinologist or a Neurologist, both of whom prescribe this medication on a regular basis.  Therefore, either specialist will do.

Well: shouldn't my "Primary" physician know how to do this?  In your specific circumstance, no he/she does not.

The bottom line is that once your nerves are fine, then your playing will be fine.  I cannot imagine performing without Inderal/Propanalol.  Why would I ever want to go through the living HELL that I did for so long before?"]

However, here is what you are most likely going to do.  You are going to try all of this self-help BS of getting in touch with your inner self, and you will fail.  Then, you will come to the erroneous conclusion that:  well I am just the proper type of person to perform at the piano, which is pure carp!

To finalize, if the Inderal works (and it will!), then take the next step of engaging a PhD. clinical psychologist to train you in neurofeedback "peak performance" training which will greatly enhance your level of playing without stress.

It is a one time series, whose effects are permanent, and is regularly used by professional athletes.  Per the piano, it has been successfully used at the Royal Academy in London several years ago.

Good luck to you, and please contact me by PM of you have any more questions.
 

[louispodesta]

Correction:  this part of the sentence should read:  well I am just "not" the proper type of person to perform at the piano, which is pure cr*p!

My apologies.

[dcstudio]

!

This is a (generically available - cheap!) medication, which is probably the most prescribed Beta Blocker in the world.  It slows your heart rate by restricting the amount of Adrenalin that gets pumped into your system.  That is why the FDA approved pharmacological literature lists it as being prescribed for "stage fright."

Wow, I like the nerves that rush of adrenaline makes it exciting... it keeps things interesting..    I haven't had stage fright for decades so I will clarify that to the OP... if you have SEVERE nerve issues you might want to go with medication...

but only after trying many other ways first...  I had terrible performance anxiety and the above methods worked for me...  it's not about getting in touch with your inner self... it's about creating a "file" in your brain that will help support you as you perform...  if you don't fill that thinking part of your brain with something solid to follow it will get lonely and start to wander... that's when the cakes start rolling in.  Even if you do take the medication you should probably still have a thought-plan--it works.

[yewtree]

Many thanks for the search box reminder. 
 It has been a long while since I have taken an exam, but I don't think my nerves are severe enough for medication       
I'd like to enter  the exam expecting to get at least a pass.   
I think at this stage, my only uncertainty is getting the time signature right, so I might waver on that a bit.   

[louispodesta]

Many thanks for the search box reminder. 
 It has been a long while since I have taken an exam, but I don't think my nerves are severe enough for medication       
I'd like to enter  the exam expecting to get at least a pass.   
I think at this stage, my only uncertainty is getting the time signature right, so I might waver on that a bit.   

From the OP:

["Do most people feel very nervous before an exam?
What is the best way to try and block out nerves  and keeping really focused on the pieces to be played?"]

From dcstudio ["it's about creating a "file" in your brain that will help support you as you perform...  if you don't fill that thinking part of your brain with something solid to follow it will get lonely and start to wander... that's when the cakes start rolling in.  Even if you do take the medication you should probably still have a thought-plan--it works."]

Once again, people like myslelf and dcstudio have attempted to help someone who is not genuinely serious about their OP.  Either you have serious nerve problems or you do not!

Nerve problems are not a little deal.  They are a HUGE DEAL!!

So, if you have them, then show us the respect we deserve.  If not, then please show us the courtesy of not wasting our care and time.

[dcstudio]

ahhhh ...Louis  

I think your posts are starting to grow on me...   

it just wouldn't be the same around here without you.. lol.    

[yewtree]

dcstudio, I have sent you a pm. 

 

[louispodesta]

dcstudio, I have sent you a pm. 

 

"dcstudio" is one of the very few piano teachers "in the entire U.S." who has extensive credentials as a teacher, and most importantly as a weekly performer in both classical an non-classical repertoire.  You best be advised to take her advice.
 

[dcstudio]

"dcstudio" is one of the very few piano teachers "in the entire U.S." who has extensive credentials as a teacher, and most importantly as a weekly performer in both classical an non-classical repertoire.  You best be advised to take her advice.
 

Thanks Louis... wow...  never know what you are going to say...

actually, I specialize in performance anxiety issues...  like your guy Dr. Marx coaches technique.   What I have that most teachers don't... is a steady gig.