A mental block? Suggestions?

[mound]

I can play the Chopin's Db prelude ("raindrop")  quite beautifully. I completely feel the piece, all the harmonies and subtlties, my pedalling and expression is really coming along.  It's really an easy piece for me.  Last time I performed it, my teacher was brought to tears (so says he!)  - my problem is in the A section, I consistentely mess up the same two spots whenever I'm playing for anybody. I've broken this section down, done analysis, hands seperate, odd rhythms, singing it, hearing it, dancing it,  feeling it etc. (ie. "my homework") -  On my own I play through it beautifully, but something mental is causing a messup when there is an audience - even if it's an audience of one.  Generally I don't have too many issues with nerves and such playing for people. It's just starting to aggrevate me that I keep polluting an otherwise excellent performance with this nonsense in the beginning!  I've visualized performing, and recorded myself and can get through it even while recording.   Any suggestions?

-Paul

[Torp]

The only thing I could think of to add would be to now do all your "homework" in front of someone else.  In other words, the difficulty you're having with the piece seems to only happen when you're in front of people.  Maybe something happened the first time you played in front of someone?  Deep down you're worried it will happen again?  And it does?

Don't know for sure, might just be psychobabble on my part, but something happened that is making this occur.  You need to get to the bottom of that something.  One way to overcome it is to practice under the same set of influences that causes the problem.  Another, quicker, way might be a self-analysis of why it's happening; hypnosis, counseling, etc. may help.  I know they're off the wall suggestions, but you never know.

Another thing to try is visualiztion.  When you visualize playing this piece in front of people do you see yourself playing that section perfectly?  Or do you see yourself "messing up?"

Start digging deep inside, that's where the problem lies.

Don't know if any of that was helpful or not

Jef

[sarahlein]

Could it be psycological? It could well be.
I've had that happen to me and when it does I found that -please don't laugh- breathing just before the bars in question helps a lot.
Why?
Well simply because, if it is indeed psycological then, all you need to do is
.........relax!

[nomis]

Concentrate on exactly what your fingers are doing, and be aware of every other movement in your body. I find that if I don't concentrate whilst playing the relatively simple Invention no.1, I will stumble within a few bars (I found this piece notoriously difficult to memorise).

It may be also helpful to ask your teacher to listen to you playing the piece through once per lesson, and to ask your teacher to criticise as harshly as possible after the performance. This way it will be like a recital and gives you experience of performing the piece, which is the aspect you are stumbling on. Remember, you must be aware of every movement whilst performing, always thinking of what is coming next whilst at the same time playing as musically as possible. I rememeber there being a post about being aware of every movement in your body by Robert Henry, but I don't have the link. Have a search through his posts.

[mound]

Good thoughts everybody.  I think it's a "uh oh, here comes that spot again" mentality, if I think I'm going to mess it up, I do!

[Torp]

Good thoughts everybody.  I think it's a "uh oh, here comes that spot again" mentality, if I think I'm going to mess it up, I do!

Now, just change that mental thought to "Great, here comes my favorite part."  Think that everytime you practice it for the next few days, weeks, etc. until it surpasses the negative thought.  It can be done, and YOU can do it.

Jef

[mound]

I can do it!

I will do it on Friday at my recital

[Torp]

I can do it!

I will do it on Friday at my recital

Now THAT'S what I'm talkin' about!!

[Bob]

Do you know those two spots as well as the rest?  Is there something in their that's a little foreign or a lot of things going on all at once?

Check where your attention goes during those spots.  See where it is for the rest of the piece.  It may be that during the stress of the performance, your attention is different and the more difficult (or complex, or less familiar) spots "break through."

It could be settling into the performance like someone else mentioned.  Focus your mind on the piece before you begin, focus on the sound or whatever you focus on for your performing.  Don't focus on the audience or the idea that your performing for someone.  And don't focus on don'ts .  You want to get your mind in gear before the piece even starts and not have to warm it up and get in gear halfway through the piece.  You could try practicing performing just the opening.  Sit down, take a deep breath like someone else mentioned, and then hear the opening bars in your mind before you actually start playing.

[mound]

Well this discussion came about just in time I guess. I've been thinking about all of what was written today, did a bit of practicing with those thoughts in mind, and then went to my piano lesson, where, since we have a recital on Friday, I went through the whole program (by the way: Bach: Invention #1 and Sinfonia #9, Chopin: Prelude in Db, Lecuona: Malaguena) - you know, the whole run through, stand up, speak, bow (yes, just to the teacher) and do the whole program. Not only were the Bach and Lecuona pieces superb (I'm really impressing myself with Sinfonia), but I didn't mess up the beginning of the Prelude! Of course, after I didn't mess up, I thought to myself "nice, you didn't mess up" and then I almost messed up the following spot!) - This confirms to me that the problem is really thought interferance. I just let it go, and it almost played itself. Friday should be great. wish me luck

[Nana_Ama]

Good Luck!!!
Is there any chance that you could post a recording of your pieces?

[Bob]

Good luck!

I've heard that before -- learn it, then forget it and just play

[mound]

Oh, I forgot to mention, when I was doing the run-through, after the Sinfonia, prior to the Chopin, I noticed there were two women sitting behind me whom were scheduled to use the room after me, so I had an unknown audience as well

I do plan on posting recordings. I'll be making a recording. I recorded myself practicing this weekend, same room, same piano, same pieces. Got some real good stuff. Some of this past weekend's recordings are probably better than what I'll do in actual performance (err, I mean, my performance will be better!) but I'll be sure to post mp3's

[Torp]

Good luck!!

So, in the drama world they say, "Break a leg!"

Are we supposed to say, "Break a finger!" 

Jef

[nomis]

Good luck!!

So, in the drama world they say, "Break a leg!"

Are we supposed to say, "Break a finger!" 

Jef

Oh dear. 

Glad you have gotten over this stumbling block Mound.

[mound]

Well, played the recital tonight! I honestly didn't even think about the above mentioned stumbling block. I was fully convinced since a few days ago that I worked past it, fixed whatever the problem was. Played the piece tonight, I made the mistake! ack! Fortunately, it was more subtle than before and the recovery was much more graceful. The rest of the piece was fantastic. My Bach Sinfonia #9 was excellent as well, save for one spot where I almost got lost (playing it all from memory)  - but my "starting on every measure from the back to the front" practice saved the day, got through that too. Malaguena was very high energy, got a *bit* sloppy in spots, but the crowd loved it.

Hopefully I can get some mp3's up in a few days.  I almost want to post as well, mp3's of the recording I made, practicing earlier today, same piano, same room (before anybody was around ) - some stellar playing,  of course didn't make the flubs Maybe I'll post the same pieces - two of each, "live" and "not live" - all else being the same

thanks again!
-Paul

[mound]

interesting.. talk about mental breaks.. when I posted my last reply the other day, I mentioned that I made the mistake while performing.

I was just preparing my mp3's, and I noticed that in fact, I did NOT make that mistake! I wonder why I believed I did as I played? Weird..   Anyway, I no longer have a domain setup, I gotta find a place to host my mp3s for free

-Paul

[jazzyprof]

Paul, I believe you can just upload them here in the Audition Room for free:
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,8798.msg89392.html#msg89392

[mound]

oh cool, thanks!

[mound]

UPDATE:

See this thread for my comments on the recital, and links to the recordings

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,10147.0.html

thanks!
-paul