Stage fright

[kristinazx]

Do you have tips for stage fright? I don't know how will I play Sonata Appassionata in front of audience with stage fright? I had very long pause in puano and then enrolled music conservatory and now I must play one hour in front of audience. How do you do that without too many mistakes?

[visitor]

play a lot in front of people/an audience. often. it's a skill or 'talent' most have to develop, repeated exposure to the stressor usually attenuates the response. so set up lots of mock performances, play for friends, family, strangers, dogs, cats, recording device, etc.

[kristinazx]

play a lot in front of people/an audience. often. it's a skill or 'talent' most have to develop, repeated exposure to the stressor usually attenuates the response. so set up lots of mock performances, play for friends, family, strangers, dogs, cats, recording device, etc.

But where to play in front of strangers? We don't have pianos on stations.

[jessipch]

I am not a major in music student so I don't have a lot of opportunity to play in front of a crowd. But I think that if you can concentrate in your playing and "forget" about the audience watching you, I would be better.
you may find this useful: https://www.bulletproofmusician.com/what-every-musician-ought-to-know-about-stage-fright/

[briansaddleback]

I find that bulletproofmusician site very informative and encouraging as well, it is a great site, I recommend anyone to read and peruse it. It has a lot of insight.

However I also wanted to comment that to really be able to work with stage fright (for many, stage fright may just be a fact) you have to know how it feels and be able to overcome the failure factor of messing up or making a mistake in front of an audience. Preferably earlier than later in your piano life.
I used to dread people watching me who are not knowing the context of me playing (i.e. people who know me as a piano student: teachers, classmates, family, etc know about me and I have no issue playing freely and making the mistakes that I do in front of them.. the people who don't know me, on the other hand, I fear their rejection or acceptance of who I am, I know that is silly, but that is the knee-jerk reaction by me)

so I making a huge mistake and getting over it (re analyzing my definitions of feeling towards it) was a big step into having more confidence and being a stronger player for me.

Don't fear making the mistakes, rather than don't fear the stage fright, sort of, is my point.
When you see yourself and the context of your audience in a different way, and don't fear being imperfect, even crash and burns, then that will take you long ways in how to tackle and how you even observe stage fright.
I hope this make sense and helps.

[dcstudio]

performance anxiety is such a killer...

if you practice your thoughts as well as your pieces and you have a thought "plan" for your performance you will be far less likely to have those panic thoughts invade your head while you are playing.  I also find it helpful to make up lyrics to main themes..  it's a great place to store information like note names chord names anything you tend to forget.   Even encouraging words to yourself can be very helpful.   If you practice these lyrics they will play in your head while you perform...

keep that mind busy and it won't  have (as much) time to make you cake...    the battle is in your head most often and not in your fingers when it comes to performance issues.

[kawai_cs]

I also read bulletproof musician site and recommend it to you, too.
I just had my first public performance last week. It was a large concert hall, lots of people and an unknown instrument - there was no possibility to try it out before. I was pretty nervous but was able to handle my emotions. I was concentrating on warming-up and then performing the piece concentrating on the music.
Several weeks before that performance were really hard because I was freaking myself out. I lost weight, I could not sleep worrying how I would react when on stage and if I would be able to focus and if I would not make a fool of myself (blackout, etc). I got a lot of encouragement and lots of great tips how to prepare and survive the performance. See my thread in Performance subdivision.
The good side of all this stress was that I practiced a lot and was very concentrated.
Somebody  heresaid that they actually see performance as a reward for all your effort learning all those long hours that you practice every day thru weeks and years. And this is so true! You should see it that way!  Surprisingly it was true for me, too, even though I realized it only as late as when I was on stage. It was actually very pleasant to perform! I liked it and would love to do it again if I had an opportunity (which is not easy for me - I am an amateur).
Do not concentrate on your stage fight - concentrate on practice. You can play Appassionata so you will be able to play it in front of audience as well. If you have not performed yet and do not now how your reactions will be - just think about this one scenario - that actually all that adrenaline before your performance can give you a lot of energy and focus to do your best when on stage. Accept it, that you will be stressed - everybody is, but it gives you an extra focus and energy. This was so true for me and I am sure it will work for you, too.
Try to enjoy the opportunity to perform. Not everybody gets this chance so why not make the best of it. Why not enjoy it and look forward to it? Know your piece very well, do not rely on kinetic memory.
Practice a lot and do not worry! If you are well prepared everything will be good

[dcstudio]

I also read bulletproof musician site and recommend it to you, too.
I just had my first public performance last week. It was a large concert hall, lots of people and an unknown instrument - there was no possibility to try it out before. I was pretty nervous but was able to handle my emotions. I was concentrating on warming-up and then performing the piece concentrating on the music.
Several weeks before that performance were really hard because I was freaking myself out. I lost weight, I could not sleep worrying how I would react when on stage and if I would be able to focus and if I would not make a fool of myself (blackout, etc). I got a lot of encouragement and lots of great tips how to prepare and survive the performance. See my thread in Performance subdivision.
The good side of all this stress was that I practiced a lot and was very concentrated.
Somebody  heresaid that they actually see performance as a reward for all your effort learning all those long hours that you practice every day thru weeks and years. And this is so true! You should see it that way!  Surprisingly it was true for me, too, even though I realized it only as late as when I was on stage. It was actually very pleasant to perform! I liked it and would love to do it again if I had an opportunity (which is not easy for me - I am an amateur).
Do not concentrate on your stage fight - concentrate on practice. You can play Appassionata so you will be able to play it in front of audience as well. If you have not performed yet and do not now how your reactions will be - just think about this one scenario - that actually all that adrenaline before your performance can give you a lot of energy and focus to do your best when on stage. Accept it, that you will be stressed - everybody is, but it gives you an extra focus and energy. This was so true for me and I am sure it will work for you, too.
Try to enjoy the opportunity to perform. Not everybody gets this chance so why not make the best of it. Why not enjoy it and look forward to it? Know your piece very well, do not rely on kinetic memory.
Practice a lot and do not worry! If you are well prepared everything will be good

YAY!! Kawaii   sure is a different tune than you were singing a month or two ago!   lol.  I LOVE TO PERFORM I mean I am the biggest show off in the world...  I really doesn't matter how bad it goes--and believe me I have had some BAD ones...lol...  it's about me playing the music and that's it.

to the OP

stop freaking yourself out... you are, as another member has said recently--"practicing the anxiety"...  Don't do that.

[kawai_cs]

YAY!! Kawaii   sure is a different tune than you were singing a month or two ago!   lol. 

haha, right?  It will sound really silly but some of this positive change in my attitude is due to my ... dress. It was a beautiful, long, white gown that I would never have any occasion to wear otherwise. And since I had this opportunity - I bought that dress and felt in it like a princess hihi
I am curious what do you consider you bad performances and why?:-) I have an idea...

[briansaddleback]

I also read bulletproof musician site and recommend it to you, too.
I just had my first public performance last week. It was a large concert hall, lots of people and an unknown instrument - there was no possibility to try it out before. I was pretty nervous but was able to handle my emotions. I was concentrating on warming-up and then performing the piece concentrating on the music.
Several weeks before that performance were really hard because I was freaking myself out. I lost weight, I could not sleep worrying how I would react when on stage and if I would be able to focus and if I would not make a fool of myself (blackout, etc). I got a lot of encouragement and lots of great tips how to prepare and survive the performance. See my thread in Performance subdivision.
The good side of all this stress was that I practiced a lot and was very concentrated.
Somebody  heresaid that they actually see performance as a reward for all your effort learning all those long hours that you practice every day thru weeks and years. And this is so true! You should see it that way!  Surprisingly it was true for me, too, even though I realized it only as late as when I was on stage. It was actually very pleasant to perform! I liked it and would love to do it again if I had an opportunity (which is not easy for me - I am an amateur).
Do not concentrate on your stage fight - concentrate on practice. You can play Appassionata so you will be able to play it in front of audience as well. If you have not performed yet and do not now how your reactions will be - just think about this one scenario - that actually all that adrenaline before your performance can give you a lot of energy and focus to do your best when on stage. Accept it, that you will be stressed - everybody is, but it gives you an extra focus and energy. This was so true for me and I am sure it will work for you, too.
Try to enjoy the opportunity to perform. Not everybody gets this chance so why not make the best of it. Why not enjoy it and look forward to it? Know your piece very well, do not rely on kinetic memory.
Practice a lot and do not worry! If you are well prepared everything will be good

Out of curiosity, which piece(s) did you perform? I recall you did etude 25-12 I believe.

[kawai_cs]

Yes, it was op 25 no 12. I was well prepared but don't get excited - I still have tons of work until I can play it nicely at required high speed. My teacher and I decided to put it off for some time and come back to it later. 

[dcstudio]

haha, right?  It will sound really silly but some of this positive change in my attitude is due to my ... dress. It was a beautiful, long, white gown that I would never have any occasion to wear otherwise. And since I had this opportunity - I bought that dress and felt in it like a princess hihi
I am curious what do you consider you bad performances and why?:-) I have an idea...

guess I should clarify... usually it has nothing to do with my performance but the circumstances surrounding it...electrical issues, sound issues, issues within the band (let me tell you that's the worst..lol) weather problems--had to play 2 weddings during a hurricane once...  moody club owners, moody directors, moody stage managers, bad sound guys...my check not being ready... drunk bar patrons who want to hear Jimmy Buffet...  why?  because they all serve to defeat the purpose and put me in a bad mood.

shall I go on?  lol...  whether or not I played well is so far down the list it doesn't even bear mentioning..

[kawai_cs]

guess I should clarify... usually it has nothing to do with my performance but the circumstances surrounding it.

I thought so. That doesn't count!!

[briansaddleback]

Yes, it was op 25 no 12. I was well prepared but don't get excited - I still have tons of work until I can play it nicely at required high speed. My teacher and I decided to put it off for some time and come back to it later. 

Playing a 'tocatta' etude (i.e. one that doesnt relent ; it is non-stop fast action, once you start you wont get a chance to rest ) in performance is a great achievement, I am sure by the time you go to work on it again, you will notice that you have taken yourself to another step or two levels in technical ability in that piece now.

[kristinazx]

I thank you a lot. You gave me so many beautiful tips regarding my problem.  It looks a bit easier now. Kawai is so right when she told me to practice more positive attitude and not anxiety. It will be from now on on my everyday list to practise good feeling about performance.  With this non stop terrible thoughts I don't achieve anything!  I can't wait last day to rely how I will 'feel'. I must constantly repeat myself positive thoughts and to collect positive energy for performance.  Not to be monstruosly self critical or act that these performances are the end of the world.

[dcstudio]

I thought so. That doesn't count!!

LOL  ok well I guess you are right about that.    

there are just so many things that can go wrong OTHER than you caking a note or two--or 10.  Students focus so hard on their own performance that most of the time that they are completely unaware of any other factors (like what a pain in the butt it can be to organize a recital).  If everything else went well and I got paid but I played crappy-- it was still a great gig.  An awesome gig means there was lots of money in my tip jar...

[dcstudio]

It will sound really silly but some of this positive change in my attitude is due to my ... dress. It was a beautiful, long, white gown that I would never have any occasion to wear otherwise. And since I had this opportunity - I bought that dress and felt in it like a princess hihi

and that is not silly at ALL!!!  It is something that should be mentioned actually when dealing with stage fright because it can make SUCH a difference....  especially for us females... although I have met just as many male piano divas...lol.   Yes yes yes.... if all else goes bad at least I looked like a million bucks!!  sometimes that's the ONLY positive thing I can remember about a performance..

but oh when you walk out on stage dressed to the hilt and you can hear the "hush" of the crowd as you sit down at the piano...  man that is one GREAT feeling huh?

[louispodesta]

I thank you a lot. You gave me so many beautiful tips regarding my problem.  It looks a bit easier now. Kawai is so right when she told me to practice more positive attitude and not anxiety. It will be from now on on my everyday list to practise good feeling about performance.  With this non stop terrible thoughts I don't achieve anything!  I can't wait last day to rely how I will 'feel'. I must constantly repeat myself positive thoughts and to collect positive energy for performance.  Not to be monstruosly self critical or act that these performances are the end of the world.

On more time:  Therefore, 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 fourth 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."  Did you just read what I wrote?: I said 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."]

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

[vaniii]

louispodesta, as much as you might feel like you are repeating yourself - albeit you are -  people post new topics because they would like information based on their unique situation. 

Furthermore, a new post sparks discussion, and brings forwards others who may want to add something to it.  If it was really as simple as "use the search, becuase some one has said/done it before", there would be no new material on this forum.

All answers could be searched and found, however, to a newcomer, this content might not make any sense needing further explanation.

Do not be too hard on the people asking questions, they give us all a reason to post and lurk; even with quiet contempt.

[briansaddleback]

Yup. Difference between 'head smart' (whatever that is) and .. wisdom.

[dcstudio]

Louis have you tried the beta blocker anti-nerve thing?  just curious if we could get someone who has actually taken this.    It's not that I am opposed to the drug... just to taking something in general to combat performance anxiety.   I like my nerves

[kawai_cs]

but oh when you walk out on stage dressed to the hilt and you can hear the "hush" of the crowd as you sit down at the piano...  man that is one GREAT feeling huh?

  Yes, it is fantastic, indeed. I was just thinking to myself that it probably can only be topped by opera singers.
Yet, one more thing came to my mind that helped me deal with my fear. It was imagining how I would feel after I am done with my performance. Imagining that I could take a day-off from practicing like a slave, buying myself something nice, watching a movie (during my usual practice session time in the evening . Think about whatever reward you wanna give yourself and how good you will feel when you have done your first performance.

[dcstudio]

. Think about whatever reward you wanna give yourself and how good you will feel when you have done your first performance.

it usually takes me a couple of days to come down from that "high"    

once you realize how incredibly awesome it is to perform that stage fright is replaced by anticipation...  then you still may be a little nervous---but you won't be terrified...lol 

[louispodesta]

Louis have you tried the beta blocker anti-nerve thing?  just curious if we could get someone who has actually taken this.    It's not that I am opposed to the drug... just to taking something in general to combat performance anxiety.   I like my nerves

I have taken it every day for 44 years!  And, it is the most commonly prescribed beta blocker in the world!

Once again, it is not a narcotic, and absent those who have COPD, it has no noticeable side effects.  Further, it is dirt cheap.

I used to take it for Essential Tremor Syndrome, but I have since found out that I have low-level Parkinson's Disease.  Therefore, I take the Propranolol and a low dose of Primodone in the morning.

I take a half-dose of the Primodone because it is a barbituate, and I don't want to get loopy at the piano.  When, I perform, I take a full dose of the Primodone.

However, unless one has tremors, there is no reason to take the Primodone.

Practically every surgeon on earth takes Propranolol before they operate, and classical musicians in Europe have been taking it before performance for 50 years!

Like I said, you are not going to get a Neurologist or Endocrinologist to tell you that 1) this is a dangerous addictive drug, and 2) you will not find one who has not prescribed it many hundreds of times for stage fright.

Emil Gilels used to get so nervous he could barely stand it, and it eventually caused him to die from stress related heart disease.   And, Claudio Arrau saw a psychiatrist every week for over 30 years.

Why do you think most DMA's never make it as performers?  It is due to the fact that after ten years of constant nerves, their nervous system is shot.

So, if there is a safe and effective way to deal with this, then why not take advantage of it.  And, if you want to go to the next step with neurofeedback, and then Emwave breath and heart-rate control, by all means go for it.

But, sitting there and feeling like a total loser, because you can't sufficiently psyche yourself into a mindset that will control your nerves, is in a word STUPID!

[dcstudio]

well ok then... so it works for you cool.   That's good to know.  I had never heard of this before you started posting about it. I am incredibly blessed I guess that I have no performance anxiety... I have excitement and anticipation...  but I usually can't wait to get out there and play.   In school I used to psyche myself out before juries--and I was terrified when I first went out and performed as a cocktail pianist...but that was the last time I was  nervous really...well about playing the piano anyway..

[kristinazx]

I must say that this is hell of a good topic. It forces me to think more and start establishing some attitude towards performances. I can't go instinctively into that. I must make myself stronger in any possible way. Otherwise it could be disaster. First I realized that my stage fright is getting smaller and smaller with my knowledge of pieces. As I am playing more and more professionally and good it's not anymore terrible panic. I record myself and see how I play. It's easy.  When I see it's getting good then I am more into performance thing and less think it's going to be disaster. I have some goals to know pieces well at least a month before recitals. Then just to play it easily whenever. It's not an easy thing since I have very hard program. That's why I must practice whole days. At least 6, 7 hours per day. I have nice progress and then recitals are not anymore something alienated. But for that one needs to be very very well prepared. 

[jimroof]

It has been a long time since I had a serious performance.  I was a piano performance major in college and in the course of my undergraduate studies I performed three one hour solo programs.  Here are some observations that I made.

When first learning any piece of music, I think I could have scored it from memory within a week or two.  However, by the time I was ready to PERFORM it, I had lost the ability to do this.  It was more like telling a story where the previous passage naturally leads to the next.  Ie.,  the piece was not so much memorized as it was a part of me - but obviously it was performed from memory.

My nerves were significant before all of my programs, but starting on about the day before I would just want to take naps.  This was true for the important recitals.  All of them went very well, though I had one lazy memory slip in a rather simple piece in my senior recital.  I felt as if my nerves and stage fright dissipated about 24-48 hours before the performance (nap time) and the nerves I felt just before walking on stage were much more manageable.

I also think it is important to rehearse in the hall that you will be performing in if possible.  AS you learn a piece, you also are learning the environment around you to some degree.  A change of scenery, lighting, acoustics, the bench, playing on a 9 foot concert grand as opposed to an upright... all of these things can be a monkey wrench if you are not used to performing.

Trust your ability to TELL the story through your music.  Of course, that assumes you have a story to tell.  Hopefully your love for music has taken you to the point that your performance is something you are sharing with others in the form of your musical language.  A mature interpretation of any piece will likely mean that work is now a part of your soul.  It moves you.  Trust the ability of the music to move those who are listening and do not fret the occasional error.  If your listeners are listening for errors then they are not the kind of audience you want to share your gift with anyway... let the music speak.

[briansaddleback]

Trust your ability to TELL the story through your music.  Of course, that assumes you have a story to tell.  Hopefully your love for music has taken you to the point that your performance is something you are sharing with others in the form of your musical language.  A mature interpretation of any piece will likely mean that work is now a part of your soul.  It moves you.  Trust the ability of the music to move those who are listening and do not fret the occasional error.  If your listeners are listening for errors then they are not the kind of audience you want to share your gift with anyway... let the music speak.

Thank you.

This is why I believe what the wise say, "patience is a virtue." It really is.
Most in this world wants a quick fix. They disregard a person's words if he/she initially says a few that don't fit well with them.
How unfortunate.

I read through a post like this, I say "What is he saying here? Cant understand" but I continue reading..
I read in the middle and I say "Yeah, of course, we all know this, anything new?" but I still continue to be patient and keep reading the rest of his post.


And I read this last quoted part, although I have seen advice similar to this, you put it into a different light, a different facet of perspective, from which, I learned.  It added to my collective wisdom by looking at yours.


For this, again, Thank you.