Just Had my First Performance! (Reflections/Advice Please?)

[xdjuicebox]

I just performed for the first time!

One of my friends asked me to perform at a birthday dinner for his grandmother. Even though it wasn't that formal, I thought I could use some performance experience, so I decided to do it. I put together a program as follows (I tried to play stuff that everyone would know):

Chopin Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2 in Eb
Beethoven Appassionata Mov. 1 in F minor
Chopin Nocturne Op. 15 No. 2 in F#
***Intermission (aka water break and let's go to the bathroom because omg I drank so much water)***
Rachmaninoff Prelude Op. 23 No. 5 in G minor
Beethoven Moonlight Mov. 1 in C# minor
Liebestraume No. 3 in Ab
Rachmaninoff Prelude Op. 3 No. 2 in C# minor

I don't know why we put together such a lengthy program, and it wasn't really that diverse, but it was a good experience, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I think most of the audience did too XD

So here's how it went: I was beside myself with nervousness right before. I was in the bathroom running warm water through my hands, trying to pretend that I was 20 year old Chopin (I'm about the same age) who just found out that war broke out in his home country. But that wasn't quite working.
Then I remembered, I would always laugh at that one recording of Appassionata that Richter had where in the first movement he just totally screwed up but plays it off like it's nothing. But no one that I was listening to it with would ever noticed. So I thought to myself, "if Richter messed up, then I'm allowed to as well!" Which led to the thought "okay, so I'm going to mess up. It's going to happen at least once, I'm just going to try to give these people a performance they'll remember. It's okay if you mess up, just give them something they'll remember." And I don't know why, but after that thought, I just felt so confident! I didn't care! If I was going to mess up, I'm going to do it while making you enjoy my performance as much as possible! YEAH!

So I picked the Eb nocturne first because there was like 0 possibility of messing up the first note (as opposed to something like Etude Op. 10 No. 4 LOL). THE FIRST NOTE CAME OUT WAYYYYYYYYYYYY TOO LOUD. Because I didn't warm up on that piano beforehand, and I'd never played it before. Wait, that's not that big of a deal, it's an introduction anyway, I think when I start playing the variations I'll just get quieter and hope no one notices. Wait why do I care? Why do I care? I'm playing on a Yamaha grand that I normally don't get to. The keys are extremely sensitive and this damper pedal is nice. Keyweight's not terribly heavy, the action feels well-regulated, I'm happy, none of the notes are out of tune. Tone sounds nice too.
A lot of the weird tone color stuff I try to do wasn't showing up that well. Oh well, who cares, let's just get the piece.
I managed to make it through the entire piece without making a single note error, but I made a couple music errors, like a missed accent, and I think I over-rubato'd some of the sections haha. But I'm really good at playing endings, so I think I played that little "cadenza" and the ending pretty well.

Just for security reasons, I held the soft pedal while playing the first couple notes of the Appassionata (that arpeggio). As we were heading up to that E diminished arpeggio, I was like "please don't screw up please don't screw up" and then I remembered my old teacher telling me not to be afraid...so I went for it...full speed ahead (a little too fast...) AND I ACTUALLY GOT THROUGH IT WITHOUT MISSING A SINGLE NOTE! So here I was, super amped, adrenaline COURSING through my system, and I played the crap out of the fat chords that came next lol.
Most of the piece went okay, I made a couple mistakes here and there, but it was either in the middle of a run where I just played through it without caring too much about it or a chord that I would have to hold where I just delayed pedal and slipped off of the wrong note onto the right one then pedaled haha.
Then I get to the epic build up followed by the run (in the coda). I made one mistake throughout the whole thing, and I totally lost myself. I could FEEL the passion, though I crescendo'd way too fast, but eh. It was okay. This is my first performance, I'm doing fine.
I manage to get through the ending in one piece.

The next nocturne was a sigh of relief. I held the soft pedal and played the runs a little heavier/less leggierissimo and louder than I would have liked (I know... haha), but I NAILED the ending! I didn't quite get the perfect jeu perle sound that I wanted, but it was decent enough. For now at least. I'll get harsh on myself later.

At this point I'm feeling pretty good, I got a decent amount of applause, and I rush to the kitchen to get some water, and then go to the bathroom since I drank like a gallon of water before haha. I'm not that nervous, but my hands and legs are literally shaking. My entire body is shaking and I don't know why. But I'm feeling slightly euphoric.

The G minor prelude. I love this piece. This piece is totally me. I'm not even Russian, but I know a lot of Russian people, and I tried to communicate what little of the Russian culture I knew haha. I surprisingly didn't miss a single jump, but I missed like 3 notes total in the arpeggio section. My strategy for this piece was to just not rush like I always do and just play at a tempo where I can literally control every last bit of my performance. It wasn't nearly as fast as I normally played it, but I played a pretty epic buildup that I can live with haha. I missed the last note but I turned it into a grace note that Rachmaninoff didn't right ><. Hands still shaking.

Moonlight I. Here's the piece that everyone knew. I practiced the snot out of this particular one and I analyzed it to the point where I can recall the score from memory, so I played while seeing the score in my head and it went flawlessly. No mistakes. Crescendo'd and decrescendo'd too fast in some sections, an "accidental" accent here and there, but aside from that, a performance that I'd give myself a B- on.

Liebestraume went okay. I flubbed the second cadenza a bit...but good thing that piano had a sostenuto and I had the bass note held on the sostenuto and was flutter pedaling everything else! I played the crap out of that ending. (Don't worry folks I cleaned it up!)

And now comes the MOST. AWKWARD. PART. of the performance.
I MISSED THE A ON MY LEFT PINKY IN THE FIRST NOTE OF THE C SHARP MINOR PRELUDE. I don't know what happened. I genuinely don't know what happened. I just missed. I started freaking out...this was a VERY noticeable mistake. All of the other ones I was able to cover. But not this one omg. I had to slide it on to the right note really fast and repedal, but I felt the atmosphere change in the room lol.
My hands were on autopilot right now and I was having a debate with myself, LET IT GO RAY LET IT GO FORGET ABOUT IT. And the other half of me was like HOLY CRAP HOW DID YOU MISS THAT YOU ARE GOOD AT OCTAVES I THOGUHT YOU WERE GOOD AT OCTAVES HOW DID YOU MISS A SLOW ONE ON THE FIRST NOTE OF THE PIECE and there was this debate going on.
By the time we get to the middle section, I forced myself to focus harder, and harder, and harder on the music...I wasn't making any more mistakes, but it was slightly off. But then we get to the part where it's this epic chord run, and I spent the past week just drilling the CRAP out of it. I thought, "okay, let's get through this."
But then, just like every single time during practice, something came up within me at that moment, and I felt possessed. I got SUPER carried away, and I NAILED IT. I didn't miss a single one, though it was a little louder than it should have been. Whatever. Here come the ffff's!
Then I took off! Playing the crazy jumps part, but I'm decent at jumps and I've never had a problem playing that section fast and I got SUPER carried away.
I made it through that section without missing a single note, and I even managed to make the last line sing!
As I'm playing the finishing chords I'm thinking to myself, "holy crap, I did it, I managed to make it through that in one piece...oh my god...is this real? Is this happening?"
And then just like that, it was over.

It just suddenly ended. What felt like a lifetime in front of that piano just ended, and time started again or something weird like that. I got a ton of applause, and then the dinner party begins, where my friend (who was teaching me how to improvise and stuff) gets on the piano with me and we just played for like an hour straight where he'd give me a progression and we'd just have fun with it.

It wasn't the most serious of performances, but I really wanted to give my best.

I thought I was playing slow, but my friend told me I was playing a lot of the parts wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too fast. Nervousness? Some parts where too loud, but he said my endings were really good. And how I was stomping the pedal too hard (the noise was audible) here and there.

I got positive feedback in general, which was nice . I wish I recorded that performance. I'll record my next one (I don't know when that is!) for sure!

Does that happen to anyone else? Where your whole body is shaking and stuff? Or you just straight up lose control over certain sections? Comment what you think I could improve on! I know it's hard to judge without a recording, but any advice is welcome and I just wanted to share!

[mjames]

lol talk about a wall of text

Anyways yeah I'm pretty sure it happens to most inexperienced performers. The cure? Just perform more, I guess.

[briansaddleback]

Ok...good for you man

[huaidongxi]

just a suggestion (from someone's who's performed in front of more than just a handful of people fewer times than you'd need five digits to count, be free to ignore), consider a little training in relaxation techniques (which can include coordinated deep breaths with arm/shoulder stretches), and warm ups for your hands, arms, entire upper body so you don't need to depend on hot water.  warming up internally is more dependable than using an external source like hot water (that water might have also stimulated your bladder, b.t.w.).

just curious, how you came to the choice of pieces/excerpts and their sequence, was it the repertoire you're most comfortable/confident with, or entertainment appeal for your acquaintances, a combination perhaps.  did you feel an urge to exhibit just the first movements of the Beethoven sonatas, rather than present an entire one when you were ready to do so. for me personally, the g minor prelude seems more difficult, more dramatic, and more spectacular, as a closing number than the c# minor.

congratulations and best wishes.

[dcstudio]

hmmmm      your first performance?  you posted the string on the pre-performance ritual and explained yours.  You also have said numerous times that you do a lot of playing at dinner parties.  

I remember that you also tried to haughtily tell someone  that in Liebestraum 3  although the key signature is B that E is actually functioning as tonic... then tried to back paddle and say you didn't know anything about theory but you should get credit for recognizing an E major chord.  

since I am unable to tell which experiences of yours are legitimate and which are fictitious I am going to have to cease commenting further.

my advice is to be honest with the forum

[distantfieldrelative]

Perhaps they meant their first public performance.

[dcstudio]

sure--maybe but it's pretty straight forward...he said he just played a dinner party--  but yes maybe "I just performed for the first time" --meant this was his first dinner party... IDK


what is he talking about here then?

quote author=xdjuicebox link=topic=60614.msg650232#msg650232 date=1453669102]
You have an hour before you perform. Maybe there are people erforming before you. Maybe you're first. You're losing your mind from how nervous you are. How do you prepare?

Me: Lie down with a blanket & pillow, with forearms wrapped in cloth and gloves on. Then, I go for a light jog, playing my piece in my head.

As I'm walking up to the piano, I play the opening only once more in my head, just to double check. As I sit down, I do it with the first couple beats. And then I "just do it" and hope for the best.

What about you guys? It'd be nice to hear some thoughts. I'm still a neeous wreck LOL
[/quote]

[distantfieldrelative]

My bad. I never bothered to read that thread.

[dcstudio]

I just happened to remember it...lol. thankfully,  before I read the text wall

to xd...Why does throwing theory terms around and claiming you play a program of pieces that clearly you do not seem like a good use of your time?  Why is it so important to you that the members here at PS think you are an accomplished pianist?   Is there someone in your life who makes you feel small musically speaking?  You seem to know the lingo but not how to use it correctly which leads me to believe that there are others around you who are well-educated and accomplished musicians and you listen to their conversations.

is there an older sibling or maybe a friend of the family who has done great things on the piano and you want to be respected and envied in the same way?  I would bet you do not have a teacher at present..  which is another reason you come here to be validated.

[kawai_cs]

Where is trollbuster??    
xjuicebox, you'd better explain it or trollbuster will be after you haha

[dcstudio]

Where is trollbuster??    
xjuicebox, you'd better explain it or trollbuster will be after you haha

oh dear LORD...  he will no doubt get wind of this... and I am sure going to tune back in later and see what he has to say...

I weep for your soul xdjuicebox      RUN AWAY!!! 

[trollbuster]

you would be wise to keep a journal of exactly what ridiculous claims you have made and when so that you don't end up making a complete DUMBASS out of yourself again, DUMBASS   

this is why I AM A TROLLBUSTER!!!  IDIOTS LIKE YOU AND YOUR ASSININE POSTS   

FAKER IMPOSTER    AND OF COURSE DUMBASS!!!

bloody hell!

cheers

trollbuster 

[reiyza]

This thread just got interesting when trollbuster jumped in.

Seriously, a wall of text is so damn hard to follow.(It feels like my own posts. Haha)

I've had a similar experience when I auditioned for my first teacher in years, man, it was nothing like a performance, but due to the presence of many of his students at the time, hell, it sure felt like I was being evaluated by everyone and It broke my concentration. The pieces that I played well at home, Sounded like garbage due to the mistakes. To compensate for my nervousness, i try to play random pieces that I know at music stores or any place where there's piano.

[xdjuicebox]

hmmmm      your first performance?  you posted the string on the pre-performance ritual and explained yours.  You also have said numerous times that you do a lot of playing at dinner parties.  

I remember that you also tried to haughtily tell someone  that in Liebestraum 3  although the key signature is B that E is actually functioning as tonic... then tried to back paddle and say you didn't know anything about theory but you should get credit for recognizing an E major chord.  

since I am unable to tell which experiences of yours are legitimate and which are fictitious I am going to have to cease commenting further.

my advice is to be honest with the forum

Yeah, I've played at a ton of dinner parties, but I was never the main event. This was my first big/serious performance where I prepared a week in advance. Sorry about the confusion. Other stuff was just at dinner parties when my friend would ask me if I wanted to play in front of people like while I was there and then I'd have an hour to prepare.

But I can see that I'm not welcome here because I don't make myself clear sometimes.

[chopinlover01]

While I honestly can't believe that the OP plays all these pieces (especially just within a week or whatever), and played all those pieces nearly note perfect one after the other, especially with nerves, I have to give the benefit of the doubt to the dinner party thing.
EDIT: Ninja'd

[xdjuicebox]

While I honestly can't believe that the OP plays all these pieces (especially just within a week or whatever), and played all those pieces nearly note perfect one after the other, especially with nerves, I have to give the benefit of the doubt to the dinner party thing.
EDIT: Ninja'd

I learned them over the course of two years. And I didn't play them note for note, I made a sizeable amount of mistakes.

If you want, I can post a video of myself playing snippets from every piece, but I don't think that would change anyone's opinion of me.

And for the record, I have NEVER thought of myself as an accomplished pianist. I think I suck. I have tons of self esteem issues but I'm not going to talk about them. I finally played something big for the first time and I was excited about it but I guess everyone is going to put me down instead because of some wording issues.

You are correct in saying that I currently do not have a teacher; I had a teacher for a while but we had to stop lessons since he moved to a neighboring city. Also I've gotten busier with school. I'm not seeking validation from anyone. I just wanted to share.

Also, you are correct in saying I don't know how to use it correctly since the extent of my theory knowledge was a bit from when I was younger and studying keyboard, and the rest I learned from Wikipedia/reading books. My teacher didn't really cover it with me either since we had a bunch of other things to focus on.

I am sorry if anyone here feels like I have offended them in any way.

[chopinlover01]

2 years and playing all that rep? I have to guess not.

[xdjuicebox]

2 years and playing all that rep? I have to guess not.

I've been playing since I was 8. I'm 21.

[visitor]

I've been playing since I was 8. I'm 21.

[adodd81802]

.

[reiyza]

This reply is so f**ked up! I laughed harder than I should. Truly savage, +1 to you mate.

So, a pianist for almost 13 years should have what repertoire? Concertos? Haha. Transcendental etudes?

And if dcstudio is indeed trollbuster, man, she is one scary woman. I certainly hope that she isn't trollbuster.

[dcstudio]

what is he talking about here then?

quote author=xdjuicebox link=topic=60614.msg650232#msg650232 date=1453669102]
You have an hour before you perform. Maybe there are people erforming before you. Maybe you're first. You're losing your mind from how nervous you are. How do you prepare?

Me: Lie down with a blanket & pillow, with forearms wrapped in cloth and gloves on. Then, I go for a light jog, playing my piece in my head.

As I'm walking up to the piano, I play the opening only once more in my head, just to double check. As I sit down, I do it with the first couple beats. And then I "just do it" and hope for the best.

What about you guys? It'd be nice to hear some thoughts. I'm still a neeous wreck LOL

 
XD    you are a phony.    I got you! not the trollbuster..  no need to hide behind another name to call out the likes of you on the forum.   you may play the piano but you claim to have experience that it is clear you do not have. 

seriously, there is no backpaddling you can do to get out of it.   

so move on to one of your other fake account names.

the trollbuster is right.. when you are going to post a bunch of lies like that you should keep a journal and cross-reference them so your contradictions don't leap of the page at us.

I don't know why people love to try and convince people they can play when they can't... but damn if I don't see it almost daily

lol...kids.

[dcstudio]

dcstudio are you Trollbuster? lol

I get this very Superman feeling about you when ever Superman is called for, Clark kent slips away and comes back in an unrecognizable costume ready to save the say of "bullsh*&ters"

why whatever are you talking about adodd?    trollbuster is quite popular here... Nils should pay the guy!  lol..  

[xdjuicebox]

I didn't really like my first teacher and she didn't really like me. After 4 years of lessons (and not practicing) I could barely play The Entertainer. I also went without a teacher from ages 13-19, and I didn't even bother playing from 15-16. I didn't practice regularly until I was 18.

I didn't expect this forum to be so toxic. This isn't a fake account, I am a real human being that has never had another account on the forum (IP trace me if you want to any other account or whatever)

I hope not all musicians get off on putting other people down because that's seriously fucked up. I know I'm not good, I just want to get better and I worked really hard for the past 2 years. I didn't expect to have to tell my entire *** life story

[dcstudio]

I didn't really like my first teacher and she didn't really like me. After 4 years of lessons (and not practicing) I could barely play The Entertainer. I also went without a teacher from ages 13-19, and I didn't even bother playing from 15-16. I didn't practice regularly until I was 18.

I didn't expect this forum to be so toxic. This isn't a fake account, I am a real human being that has never had another account on the forum (IP trace me if you want to any other account or whatever)

I hope not all musicians get off on putting other people down because that's seriously fucked up. I know I'm not good, I just want to get better and I worked really hard for the past 2 years. I didn't expect to have to tell my entire *** life story

you lied so don't blame the forum.   Your posts contradict each other--it's not a matter of not making your self clear--it's a matter of you not being honest about yourself.   Additionally, you try to speak theory in an effort to baffle others--that whole crap you posted about how the key signature is B but actually E is actually functioning as tonic in Leibestraum.... you had absolutely no idea what you were talking about -- then you tried to back paddle saying you knew nothing of theory--if you know nothing of theory than you shouldn't make statements about what is functioning as tonic  to begin with... that was just an effort to scare us off with big words you don't understand...

that wall of text.... really?

stop feeling sorry for yourself... you know you lied and so does everyone else.

[xdjuicebox]

you lied so don't blame the forum.   Your posts contradict each other--it's not a matter of not making your self clear--it's a matter of you not being honest about yourself.   Additionally, you try to speak theory in an effort to baffle others--that whole crap you posted about how the key signature is B but actually E is actually functioning as tonic in Leibestraum.... you had absolutely no idea what you were talking about -- then you tried to back paddle saying you knew nothing of theory--if you know nothing of theory than you shouldn't make statements about what is functioning as tonic  to begin with... that was just an effort to scare us off with big words you don't understand...

that wall of text.... really?

stop feeling sorry for yourself... you know you lied and so does everyone else.

I thought I was right, and then it turns out I wasn't. So the only logical conclusion I can draw from that is that I know nothing about theory. And I'm actually buying books.a

Okay if you want to think I'm a liar that's fine. And I'll stop posting about theory then. Sorry for stepping out of line.

Here's me playing some snippets from all of the pieces mentioned earlier sorry it's a mess

[abbyes]

I thought I was right, and then it turns out I wasn't. So the only logical conclusion I can draw from that is that I know nothing about theory. And I'm actually buying books.a

Okay if you want to think I'm a liar that's fine. And I'll stop posting about theory then. Sorry for stepping out of line.

Here's me playing some snippets from all of the pieces mentioned earlier sorry it's a mess

Don't worry, I've just been a couple of months in this forum, but I've noticed that a part of this community are sceptics, and they dont believe 70% of posts nowadays in this forum. This is like the 4th time I've seen this distrust on users.

Nice video and nice program, you did very well. Good luck on your next perfomances, the more you perform in public, the less nervous and the more natural it'll become.

PD : I find way more surprising the fact you can eat an orange from one bite  

[dcstudio]

I thought I was right, and then it turns out I wasn't.

ok from now on--we will take that into consideration on all your posts.  


it's your responsibility to determine the accuracy of your information before you post it especially in matters of simple harmonic structure.   This statement and it's attempt to shift the blame to the forum is completely irrelevant.

Now you have the reputation of someone who feels that they know so much there is no need to check their facts before posting them--but is going to accuse the forum of being mean when they are proven wrong....   

your attempts to back paddle out of this are only making this worse...

lol.

[xdjuicebox]

ok from now on--we will take that into consideration on all your posts.  


it's your responsibility to determine the accuracy of your information before you post it especially in matters of simple harmonic structure.   This statement and it's attempt to shift the blame to the forum is completely irrelevant.

Now you have the reputation of someone who feels that they know so much there is no need to check their facts before posting them--but is going to accuse the forum of being mean when they are proven wrong....   

your attempts to back paddle out of this are only making this worse...

lol.

I'm sorry I didn't fact check. It won't happen again (hopefully). And I'm sorry I got all emotional and blamed the forum. I am still, as you said, just a kid haha and I get upset sometimes. Hopefully you guys won't hold it against me too much.

Have a good day.

[kawai_cs]

xjuicebox, you recorded that video because of this thread? That's so sweet of you.
I see you know what you are doing at the piano I think I have already seen one of your videos before.

[dcstudio]

I'm sorry I didn't fact check. It won't happen again (hopefully). And I'm sorry I got all emotional and blamed the forum. I am still, as you said, just a kid haha and I get upset sometimes. Hopefully you guys won't hold it against me too much.

Have a good day.

not at all... in fact my respect for you just skyrocketed.   Welcome to the forum XD you have now been properly initiated and you came through it with flying colors.   Great job.

In spite of my hideous comments...lol..I really like you because I can tell you really LOVE to perform.. you and I have that in common.  You also study a little bit and that is a great thing.
You want this very badly and it's for reasons other than to prove to someone that you are "the bee's knees" lol.    So going forward we're totally good and I am glad you are here.    

you do have some nice chops, too  next time though...maybe paraphrase just a bit on your description that was quite a large wall of text..

[xdjuicebox]

not at all... in fact my respect for you just skyrocketed.   Welcome to the forum XD you have now been properly initiated and you came through it with flying colors.   Great job.

In spite of my hideous comments...lol..I really like you because I can tell you really LOVE to perform.. you and I have that in common.  You also study a little bit and that is a great thing.
You want this very badly and it's for reasons other than to prove to someone that you are "the bee's knees" lol.    So going forward we're totally good and I am glad you are here.    

you do have some nice chops, too  next time though...maybe paraphrase just a bit on your description that was quite a large wall of text..

LOL I was unaware there was an initiation ceremony, but thanks for passing me I guess!

Yeah I've loved music for as long as I could remember to be honest. I don't really know why, something gravitates me towards it!

I will most certainly not post a wall of text next time.

[huaidongxi]

you are very fortunate to possess the talent to perform a range of pieces like you did at your friend's party.  you played Joplin without practicing ?  Joplin might be beyond me after years of work, and the same for that Rachmaninov g minor prelude.

returning to my first comment, even if you felt playing only the first movements of Beethoven sonatas was appropriate for entertaining at a party, would hope you learn the entire works for your education.  you've expressed an interest in studying theory.  there will be a wealth of theory you will assimilate by learning to play those works.  struggling to read parts of easy movements myself, as disjointed and garbled the results might be to listen to, the lessons in harmonic structure and progressions are reward in themselves.

buona fortuna in your journey.

[xdjuicebox]

you are very fortunate to possess the talent to perform a range of pieces like you did at your friend's party.  you played Joplin without practicing ?  Joplin might be beyond me after years of work, and the same for that Rachmaninov g minor prelude.

returning to my first comment, even if you felt playing only the first movements of Beethoven sonatas was appropriate for entertaining at a party, would hope you learn the entire works for your education.  you've expressed an interest in studying theory.  there will be a wealth of theory you will assimilate by learning to play those works.  struggling to read parts of easy movements myself, as disjointed and garbled the results might be to listen to, the lessons in harmonic structure and progressions are reward in themselves.

buona fortuna in your journey.

I learned the entire Appassionata sonata, but the second movement is nowhere near performance ready, and the third one is a mess...and I forget some parts of the second haha. The Moonlight...need to learn second movement, I have a hard time with hte arpeggios on the third so one of these days i'll get around to it, but I keep wanting to do other things haha!

Totally agree though.

[danielo]

Am concerned about the toxic nature of some of these posts! It was clear from xd's posts that he was genuine, new to the forum but excited about sharing something that was important to him. I haven't even heard the snippets he played, but not impressed by some of the negative comments being made towards him by longstanding members who should know better.
I just recently had a first public performance for 25 years, I experienced similar feelings to xd, and just think come on guys, give him a break!

[benjdod]

Well that was a rollercoaster of emotion

[pencilart3]

I am a new driver, fortunately. When I drive like 50 I think it is kind of scary until I come down from driving 75 and then it feels like I'm not moving.

Same thing with performing. I used to get nervous playing for 10-25 people. Well I played for 500 people a few weeks ago, and then I just played for about 20 last week and I wasn't nervous in the least. Just a thought.