Klarinet Archive - Posting 000735.txt from 2003/04

From: "Benjamin Maas" <benmaas@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Performance Anxiety techniques/remedies
Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2003 00:41:11 -0400

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Stacy-Michelle [mailto:stacy-michelle@-----.com]=20
>=20
> Besides prescription meds, Alexander technique and bananas, anyone=20
> have any tips/tricks/natural herbal remedies that have worked to=20
> minimize performance anxiety? I started reading "Inner Game of=20
> Music" which some of the techniques help, but Im just seeking other=20
> alternatives. Thanks for any info.
>=20
> --=20
> Soulfully,
>=20
> Stacy-Michelle Valentine

I learned to control a lot of my performance anxiety many years ago when =
I
was auditioning for colleges. I hopped on a plane and did auditions for
Manhattan, Juilliard, and Eastman. Manhattan was the next morning after =
a
red-eye flight. Talk about the wrong mindset for an audition.

Anyways, I played ok and got it over with. I was very nervous going in =
to
Juilliard the next day. About 5 minutes before the audition, I got this
sudden feeling of calm... It came from a realization that I had worked
months on my repertoire. By that point, there was nothing else I could =
do
and I should just enjoy myself. If I made a mistake, so be it... Just =
move
on and continue. I played very well that day.

Same attitude at Eastman and I played even better.

The results of that trip were acceptances to Eastman and Manhattan and a
wait-list at Juilliard. I ended up at ESM because of the great =
experience I
had in my audition.

Since then, I approach every performance with that attitude and things
generally go well. We are human and of course we will have some nerves =
and
we'll make mistakes. But to enjoy the moment and accept our fauts seems =
to
have made all the difference for me.

--Ben

Benjamin Maas
Freelance Clarinetist and Recording Engineer
Los Angeles, CA
http://www.fifthcircle.com

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