Performance Anxiety

[redhead]

Any advice for dealing with nerves when performing? I'm normally fine but when getting marked, I fall apart and I have music exams on the weekend.

[Syphilis]

I saw this in the hot topics list and I thought it would have something to do with sex/syphilis. Shame on you.

[hooloovoo]

Work on breathing. I'm a singer, and I used to have to perform while physically shaking. I could do it, but it wasn't fun. My teacher helped me out. Right before you go on, inhale on a slow 4 count, exhale on an 8 count. Repeat a few times. I also carry a lot of tension in my wrists, so I slowly shake them out while I do this.

[Phlegm!]

Picture the examiner assessing you as butt naked. This shit helps if she's hot :thumbsup:

[reggie_love]

I thought you meant performance as in stage fright.

I suppose it's the same kind of idea, but I dunno...

Just do it a lot, and try to focus on converting your terror into constructive energy. Eventually something primal starts to click and it becomes second nature.

[Electric Acid Kool-Aid]

I used to have music exams for the clarinet, lol.
I just look at it as you walk in, you play what they ask you to play and you walk out.
Worry about the grade/comments later.
There is really nothing to be nervous about unless you suck. And if you were talking about a written exam. Same thing really. If you know what you're doing, just do it and get on with it. It has to be done.

[ChinaCat]

Beer!

[redhead]

Picture the examiner assessing you as butt naked. This shit helps if she's hot :thumbsup:

Old people. Will not help.

[Maddo]

As long as you look like you're confident in what you're doing, the examiners wont care if you're nervy. Just concentrate on being technically sound, and if you're smiling and moving to teh music (tapping feet counts), communicating with other performers (if appropriate) then you'll do alright.

Also, if you're performing for a crowd, chances are only 5 in 100 know what you're doing technically. So if it looks like you know what you're doing, and you do something wrong, cover it up and only 5% will know you've fucked up. Doesn't really work with examiners, though, because they know their shit.

You Aussie?

[redhead]

As long as you look like you're confident in what you're doing, the examiners wont care if you're nervy. Just concentrate on being technically sound, and if you're smiling and moving to teh music (tapping feet counts), communicating with other performers (if appropriate) then you'll do alright.

Also, if you're performing for a crowd, chances are only 5 in 100 know what you're doing technically. So if it looks like you know what you're doing, and you do something wrong, cover it up and only 5% will know you've fucked up. Doesn't really work with examiners, though, because they know their shit.

You Aussie?
I look confident, but fall apart for examiners. I screwed up a one octave G major scale at my last audition ffs (just so you know, it is pathetically easy). With a crowd, I'm fine and I know how to cover my mistakes, it's when being marked there's an issue.
Also, the examiner doesn't know any of the stuff I'm playing.
Yes, Aussie.

[Maddo]

I look confident, but fall apart for examiners. I screwed up a one octave G major scale at my last audition ffs (just so you know, it is pathetically easy). With a crowd, I'm fine and I know how to cover my mistakes, it's when being marked there's an issue.
Also, the examiner doesn't know any of the stuff I'm playing.
Yes, Aussie.
Well, practise hard, take a few minutes before hand, have a drink, jump around a bit, release teh nervous energies, and then just go for it mate, all or nothing.

Are you doing your HSC/Equivalent?

[redhead]

Well, practise hard, take a few minutes before hand, have a drink, jump around a bit, release teh nervous energies, and then just go for it mate, all or nothing.

Are you doing your HSC/Equivalent?

Trials this Saturday, HSC in September.
Can't really relax before going in as I'm playing a different instrument for a friends right before mine.

[Maddo]

Trials this Saturday, HSC in September.
Can't really relax before going in as I'm playing a different instrument for a friends right before mine.

I've got trials coming up 2 weeks time. What course are you doing, music 1 or 2? I'm doing one. Bass guitarist, btw.

[redhead]

School only offers 1 though I wanted to do extension. Playing bari sax for a friends, tenor for core, one alto piece, one clarinet and one bass clarinet.

[Maddo]

School only offers 1 though I wanted to do extension. Playing bari sax for a friends, tenor for core, one alto piece, one clarinet and one bass clarinet.

Awesome. :thumbsup:
Good luck, ey.

[redhead]

You too.

[ChinaCat]

How the fuck do you fuck up a G major.

[redhead]

How the fuck do you fuck up a G major.

Play G A Bb C D E F G.

[zingalong]

OP, i did two music exams in year 12 for classical guitar. I was like you except i was nervous playing for anyone. The best way to calm your nerves is to practice so much that you can play your songs with your eyes closed. Just be confident in your preparation and i promise you, you will dominate the exam :)

[redhead]

OP, i did two music exams in year 12 for classical guitar. I was like you except i was nervous playing for anyone. The best way to calm your nerves is to practice so much that you can play your songs with your eyes closed. Just be confident in your preparation and i promise you, you will dominate the exam :)

It doesn't help. I've been performing one of my pieces for 4 years, played it at the opera house last year, I know the song. I also know a G major scale and have done so for 10 years.

[ChinaCat]

Play G A Bb C D E F G.

Hahah.

[sevenTwo]

Have a cigarette or a pint. Relax. Focus only on your notes. Forget about everything else around you. That's how I deal with exams.

[944]

Have a smoke, drink a beer or two, then just say "fuck it" and play. Don't worry about the people in front of you, just play

[Caramello Koala]

http://wik.ed.uiuc.edu/index.php/Effortless_Mastery

[poisongodmachine]

Just do the music justice, forget about the rest.