Klarinet Archive - Posting 000486.txt from 1995/01

From: tb16 <Thomas_H_BRAMEL@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Nerves
Date: Mon, 30 Jan 1995 17:49:00 -0500

A major reason that people feel nervous before a performance is that they want
to be liked and they are not sure if the audience is on their side or against
them. If you believe that the audience is full of people who genuinely
believe in you and only want the best for you then you will feel more at ease
with them. In order to develop a sense of security on stage you have to love
your audience. If you think they are going to notice every wrong note you play
then you're not going to feel very kindly toward them.

CEO's in major corporations like people and because of that people like
them. One technique that some CEO's use to calm down before giving a speech is
to mentally say "I Love You" to everyone in the audience. When these heads
of companys meet new people they mentally say "I Love You" and with those
words going on in their head a smile comes across their face and the other
person can't help but to smile back.

For some people it is difficult to use the "I Love You" technique. It does
take practice but it does work. I have turned enemies into friends using
it. If you develop a love for your audience they will love you back.

Tom Bramel
ICA Research Center
Music Library
University of Maryland