Klarinet Archive - Posting 000371.txt from 2004/04

From: Donna Higgins <Donna@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] motivation
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 00:29:45 -0400

OhSuzan419@-----.COM wrote:

> you "can't get it wrong" -- even, or especially, on the parts that I think I already can't get wrong -- explains what made the "Candide" a personal success, and the Grieg another nail in the coffin of my self-esteem.
>

This is where I would often run into trouble - I take the "easy" parts for granted. I play them perfectly in rehearsal and put all my energy into learning the difficult parts. Come performance time, I figure I can't possibly screw up all those "easy" parts and inevitably that's exactly where I make my worst mistakes.

The very worst performance I ever gave was playing Finzi's Five Bagatelles for the second time, a few months after the first one. Same pianist for both. I worked my tail off practicing for that first concert, and I was a nervous wreck. But I played fairly well and was happy with how it went.

When the opportunity came for the second performance, I figured I already knew the piece so I only got together with the piano player for one run-through and didn't put in much practice time otherwise, which was a BIG mistake. I was so confident I wasn't even nervous, and normally I have major problems with nerves.

Note to self: a little stage fright is a good thing.

- Donna

--
"Hell is other people." - Jean-Paul Sartre

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