Stage fright! (Never a fun thing, ne?)

[MidoriAme]

Hey, am I the only one here that starts shaking when I have to play something in front of more than one person? Actually, I kinda' start shaking when I have to play for one person! D;
Tips would be appreciated...♥

[Venus, Queen of Faeries]

No, you're not the only one. Of course not, sweetie. Everyone gets -- or has gotten -- terrible stage fright. I still get it, and I like to carry my flute wherever I go. How lame am I? XD

That said, what I think about is what it's going to be like AFTER my performance. If I can concentrate on what it's like when everything's said and done, then I don't worry, because everything's said and done already.

Also, there was another old thread around here where I said the following:

Immerse yourself in the music. Get lost in it. Go into your own little world where just you and [your instrument] and the music exist. And practice doing that when you practice playing. Close your eyes and block everything out. It'll quickly become routine, and you'll just do it automatically, even in front of large groups.

It's true, at least, the automatic part is. You've got to train yourself, and it may be hard, but it's worth it if it helps you fight nerves.

One last piece of advice and then I'll shut up: just do it. Once you settle in, it becomes easier to continue. The hardest part of anything is starting, but once you're started -- especially if you really love something -- the hardest part is trying to stop. ^_^

Hope that helps!

[Velika]

I don't shake, but I do tend to stall before actually going on with the performance. Even at a tryout! I tried out for my choirs Vocal Ensamble and I paused for what seemed like forever before I finally just closed my eyes and proceeded with the audition.

It's scary. I hate having to do stuff like that without at least one othe rperson there doing it with me. Even if it's just one person. I just get scared.

so Don't worry, you're not alone ^^

[Piano Squall]

I noticed that this topic has been coming up on a lot of different threads, so I thought I would jump in and offer a new perspective.

I have found it very interesting to read through the variety of techniques that everyone is using to deal with the damaging effects of performance anxiety.   It seems that each individual performer here has developed his or her own unique method of attacking the immediate symptoms as they arise.  While short-term coping techniques are extremely important for getting through the show at hand, perhaps more interesting is a discussion about why performance anxiety attacks us in the first place?  What are the deeper fears that form the root cause of anxiety?  If you do not perform well in front of others, then...? ^^

Ask yourself these difficult questions.  The answer might not be something you feel comfortable discussing on a public forums, but if you can find it, you will know exactly where your performance anxiety is coming from.   

[Zack]

I noticed that this topic has been coming up on a lot of different threads, so I thought I would jump in and offer a new perspective.

I have found it very interesting to read through the variety of techniques that everyone is using to deal with the damaging effects of performance anxiety.   It seems that each individual performer here has developed his or her own unique method of attacking the immediate symptoms as they arise.  While short-term coping techniques are extremely important for getting through the show at hand, perhaps more interesting is a discussion about why performance anxiety attacks us in the first place?  What are the deeper fears that form the root cause of anxiety?  If you do not perform well in front of others, then...? ^^

Ask yourself these difficult questions.  The answer might not be something you feel comfortable discussing on a public forums, but if you can find it, you will know exactly where your performance anxiety is coming from.   

Ever since my voice changed, I may have forgotten what I can and can't do with it- but I suppose mine would be the inecurities tied to inadequacy.
What if I am not as good a performer as I think I am? Will a failed performance ruin any chance to start again? I think the answers to these questions stem from an even more general question- why do we fear failure? If a person performs poorly in front of a concert of a thousand people, does it make them any less of a person?  Any other thoughts on this subject?

[MJForster]

I can relate to the insecurities tied to inadequacy.  People always hype me up to people who haven't heard me play, and when I end up playing infront of them, I completely mess it up.  I always think "I'm not as good as they say I am, these people are not going to be impressed no matter what I do!" then I start missing keys and lose my focus. 

For example, my dad was telling my sister in Atlanta how "good" I am.  When we went to visit her, her entire family was sitting there watching me.  Once I start playing, I just start hitting all the wrong notes.  Another time was at a party.  Everyone is saying "Oh, he is so good!".  Now I am in a room full of strangers and try to play a hymn, everything is one note off to the right so it is all screwed up.

[Lady Hoshino]

I know what its like to worry about what happens afterwards. No one wants to deal someone simply ripping them apart after doing their best. I've had my share of people who have loved my playing to those who outright disliked it.  Sometimes it had me wonder who was truly right in how I played my violin.  It came to the point where I took a break from playing altogether.  However, that has changed in the past couple years, and I'm doing my best to be more confident in my playing.   

Now that I'm back into playing my violin again, I've had to struggle with wondering if my playing sounded good enough when I practice.  Sometimes when I practice, my mother would come into my room and tell me how much I've improved.  This had me surprised; usually I still had a ways to go in making the pieces sound right.  But I look at it this way: I'm doing something right if someone likes my playing.  Even if it sounds off, I know that it's making someone happy.  And that motivates me to keep improving. 

What I now tell myself when I practice(and for when I start playing in front of others again), is something like this: This is something I enjoy playing.  I'm working hard to make this sound as good as possible.  I want to share my love of this music with others.  I'll do my best to play this and have fun with it. 

Should there be people who decide to be negative about my playing--in a non-constructive way--there is just one thing I'll tell myself: you can't please everybody.  If they're going to boo/laugh/insult, then they're not worth your time.  My advice would be to concentrate on those who enjoyed your performance and those who are willing to give you constructive criticism.  That's what will help you keep playing. 

The two goals that I have for me in playing anime and gaming music on my violin are to have fun and for myself.  In those goals, playing in front of others will be part of what I want to achieve.  I want to have fun sharing music with others.  And by playing in front of others, I can prove to myself that I can play.  That will help me be more confident in myself. 

[thejohncheng]

As a performer, the best advice I can give actually came from my mother.  Just go up there and your thing.  It doesn't matter what anyone else can do or what they think.  Just go up and do what ever you prepared for, and just be satisfied with that. 

For example, my sister went to FSU for music (#8 music school in the country), and all the teachers thought she sucked.  The funny thing was though, all the teachers thought all the other teachers sucked as well.  My sister ended up learning 8 different ways to play the violin, and eventually just went with what she felt comfortable with.  Music is beautifully subjective.

[ShikamaCHU]

I get the worst stage fright....

...Still.

When it was easily classified as 'stage fright' I could get advice from people, and I found that just going out there, and doing my thing, like JohnCheng mentioned, worked out really well.
Kinda.
I went out there with the notion of 'I'm as good as I'm going to be at this second in time, If people don' like it, they don't have to listen. luckily most people are really supportive, even if you're really not that good, as long as you yourself are proud of what you've done.
Seriously, no one's going to make fun of you.
If anyone does, they suck more than I could ever possibly imagine and (as corny as this sounds) really aren't worth your time.
So that's good.
Now the next problem is what poke'mon stage fright might evolve into.
Adrenalin-mon!.

Have you ever heard that athlete's hearts start pumping faster, getting all ready and exited even before they're about to do their athletic thing? The same is true for performers.
They get soooo used to that adrenaline and endorphin kick that they get it, even if they're not 'afraid.
Like: I'm not worried or anything, I'm just so exited I shake and can't breathe. That's really not good, especially since I love performing, and am so exited, that I don't think it totally can go away.
No amount of performing experience really makes it go away. I usually find that, As long as I stay up there, I always feel better after the first or second song. The same's true with normal stage fright. You find your stride, or become absorbed.

That's why, If I have some performance at a con later, I'll go to Karaoke and sing everything I know to get the pointy pang of 'OMG' outta me. If there is no karaoke, or if it's a different type of performance, I'll just start singing in front of the world for a little while.
The world understand, and will support you.
Most random people like it.
Getting your friends to do whatever with you during 'cool down time' is even better.
Helps you to not take it so seriously.
Also, if I can get in the back and do my thing before the performance, I'll do that too. Doesn't help tons, but a little. In a sense you're 'singing/performing yourself there.

[lindley]

well...im the exact opposite midori!i start shaking when i perform in front of a crowd..but from my experience, that stage fright usually goes away after youve started the piece..especially if its your favourite piece,because youll put your whole heart and soul into your playing, and you'll be absorbed into it..so, yeah, the feeling goes away..

[Code_2008]

Stage fright? I still have it... when I am up on stage (whether it be as an accompanist or singer or whatever), my hands and arms turn dark purple! (So purple that the judge had commented it from the back of the room). My parents had the phone in hand ready to call 911 after I had finished my State Solo piece because of it. I do wish I can find a cure for that.

[Venus, Queen of Faeries]

Gloves?

[Honnli]

Gloves would make it too hard to play. XD

[ShikamaCHU]

Duuude, It's like the Blue Man Group but better.

Gloves would be totally swanky though. 'Ya have'ta admit...
Although I imagine that's probably like wearing a corset singing....
Which I did once (Stuuuuuupid)

I wonder if the purple is from some sort of circulation thing, whether it be decreased or increased (depending on whether you flush or drain.)
That sounds kinda creepy though. I'd ask, for piece of mind if nothing else.

[Honnli]

Maybe some relaxation exercises can help?

Gloves would be totally swanky though. 'Ya have'ta admit...

You totally cannot wear gloves and play the piano. You'll be hitting unnecessary keys. ^^