messing up!

[dj]

hey, there's no really delicate way 2 put this, and i don't have any piano terminology for my problem....i just mess up sometimes, apparently for no reason, not because the pieces are too hard or anything, i don't even think im playing anything above my level, but, never fail, every time i play a song, even a relatively easy one (technically speaking), like the first movement of moonlight sonata, or schubert's impromptu op. 90 no. 3, i manage to slip a few times or momentarily blank out and screw up a part. it really doesn't seem to matter how well i know the song or how hard the song is. is there any special trick 2 getting over this? i mean, i haven't been in many competitions, but i know it can't be good for college auditions and such. if anyone has any suggestions, PLEASE post

[chopinetta]

yeah, i also mess up, so you're not alone.


and i mess up at very awkward times like in recitals!

but i only mess up when i'm nervous and i'm pressured and there are lots of people around me expecting a lot out of me... is there a remedy? maybe i should consult a psychologist.

the same things happens, my fingers slip a lot!

[amee]

Yeah I know what you mean.  I was doing this really simple test piece for a recital once and I managed to do a funny turn thing that never happened when I practiced!  It was mainly just nerves.  And when I'm nervous my hands got sweaty and my fingers slip and all sorts of yucky things like that...

I find I play best when I'm not thinking about it and I'm not trying to perform well or anything.  

[PoSeiDoN]

A few things...first, be able to play the piece blind!  When you have it complete and memorized...practice it diligently for months more before public performance!  Then, the piece's playing will become more like second nature.  If you do mess up, "rebounding" will be easier and more fluid.

Also, Amee was right.  You have to find a mental midpoint between absolute focus and distraction.  Only then will your concentration and memory work in conjunction to help you flourish!

Good luck...

[lea]

yeah

piano only works if uu really wanna play it not because u force urself and this way u dont concentrate

[dschoenenberger]

Hi, I ve made the experience that I play much better and dont mess up when Im a little drunk! just one or two glasses of champagne or wine half an hour before the performance. that tipsy, you dont mind the audience, dont get nervous, and your music is far more emotional!

perhaps the effect is partly the same as with those betablockers elsewhere discussed, but wine dont gets you too cool!

anyway you should know the piece very well by heart. the alcohol may make you forget passages! so try it out before a serious performance!!!

[10Fingers]

Hahaha Dominik !  

If I  drunk wine before performing I wouldn't even realise the audience, let alone my nervousness! No, in earness, alcohol is poison for ones musical mind and concentration. Of course, it may calm you down but your problem will never be solved by this.
As for the beta-blockers, I simply hate them! You make the music and there shouldn't be any chemical stuff in your blood while playing. I know people being addicted to beta-blockers.

Nervousness is closely related to human nature and I think a bit of nervousness belongs to the business.  It's something that gives you the will to do things better, only stupid people don't doubt themselves.
But it's not goosd either if you're so unsure that you get shaky hands which causes you to mess up sometimes. In this concern, I'd just recommend you to practise, practise and practise, yeah, until you have the feeling of being able to play your piece blind!
I think nobody minds if you play a wrong note, the whole impression defines your ability. We love music and should play it good, if not awesome!

regards,

Thi

[JTownley]

 Speaking as someone who's had lots of experience in this matter i can reiterate a few points that others have made:
* know the piece so well that you could play it in your sleep. Currently I am preparing Chopin's Prelude #16 (b-flat minor) for my website and even after (literally) 2,000 run-throughs and countless hours practicing it I still don't really feel ready. Sometimes i test myself by playing the piece while thinking of the prettiest girl I know. If I can get through it with THOSE thoughts then I am ready to perform it. A great teacher once said that if you can play a piece straight through six times w/o a mistake you're ready to perform it in public.
* play in front of people as often as you can. Each time you do you'll be a little less nervous. Of course, don't wait a year in between each performance.
* don't rely on drugs or booze, despite possibly having read that Rachmaninoff himself used to take a slug of Creme de Mint before a performance. He was a pro and could play in front of God without being nervous.

Follow these three all-important rules and you should do just fine.
https://www.JoeTownley.com     Lots of piano videos!

[rachfan]

A few thoughts on messing up.

First, if a piece has been thoroughly practiced so that it is firmly in the mind and in the fingers, messing up should be less likely.  If you truly know it, you ought to be able to perform it without mishaps.

Second, in performance you have to be concentrating only in the moment, focusing on the technical points, emphases, pedal effect, etc. in that measure alone.  If you start thinking too far ahead, i.e., anticipating approaching a difficult spot, three things are happening: 1) you're trying to play what you're playing, 2) you're anticipating and worrying about something to come, and 3) the rattling noise of fear is entering your brain.  Once the mind trifurcates like that it's disaster time.  You'll mess up what you're doing in the moment, plus that mess-up will be the lead-in to the really tough spot you anticipated causing articulation there to fall apart as well.  Don't let your thoughts get too far ahead of what you're actually doing.

In performance do with your eyes what you always do in practice.  If you play the entire piece with your eyes closed, do it.  If your are like the late George Bolet and your eyes are constantly glued to the keyboard, then stay glued in performance.  If you do a mix, for example, look straight ahead during an extended lyrical part, but then look down at the keyboard at your weaker hand when both hands must execute a wide leap, do it.  Don't vary anything in performance.  The point here is that if your habit is to look into the stage wing, but you have a sudden curious urge to see what your hands are doing, and you're mind-eye coordination is then in an unfamiliar place, here comes the mess-up again.  Gain those interesting perspectives at home, not on stage.

Finally, bear in mind that it's been proven over and over again that nervousness can make you perform in public at a faster tempo than normal, even though you're not conscious of it.  Don't allow it!  Sit there and calmly contemplate your real tempo in starting the piece and maintain it throughout.  A faster tempo is unfamiliar territory, more demanding, higher risk, and can lead to fumbling.

[chopinetta]

i just had my recital yesterday. i played chopin's raindrop. i'm so happy i didn't mess up like in the other recitals i've been.