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 reverse stage fright
Author: Julie 
Date:   2002-04-18 03:07

does this happen to anyone else? i get really nervous right before i go on stage, but as soon as i get on the stage, i'm perfectly fine...
just curious

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 RE: reverse stage fright
Author: Mark Charette 
Date:   2002-04-18 03:24

Very common. It's not really "reverse stage fright" - it's (I believe) the most common kind. At least in my career as a player and public speaker it's the only kind I've ever experienced. After I'm out for afew minutes I start having fun and relaxing.

When I played in small rock & jazz & CW bands (3 - 5 people) we always scheduled the easiest songs for the 1st one of each set - ones we could do in "automatic" - so that we could all get over the butterflies.

However, when I've been part of larger setting (cast member in a play, panelist, etc.) I've been much less nervous.

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 RE: reverse stage fright
Author: susannah 
Date:   2002-04-18 03:31

yes..that is what happens to me as well.
I'm glad, becuase it means that I can play well without being nervous, but still get that adrenaline push.

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 RE: reverse stage fright
Author: ron b 
Date:   2002-04-18 15:16

Yup. Happens every time. What, me worry?  :)

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 RE: reverse stage fright
Author: Ralph Katz 
Date:   2002-04-18 15:33

Maybe you just need to stay out on the stage...

(just kidding)

Regards,

Ralph

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 RE: reverse stage fright
Author: William 
Date:   2002-04-18 16:08

It's something like clarinet practice--the hardest part is just opening up the case and assembling the instrument. The rest is just easy and pure enjoyment. Good Clarineting!!!!

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 RE: reverse stage fright
Author: Jeff Forman 
Date:   2002-04-18 21:29

Julie, this happens to just about everyone in a performance field, and indeed, there is an old saying that when you stop getting the butterflies before a performance, you should give up the sport (the instrument, the acting career, etc.) The other adage that comes fro football is that after the first hit of the game, the butterflies go away and the players get down to playing the game the way they know how to do it.

I've performed in bluegrass bands for thirty years, and every time a performance is about to start, the nerves hit. But when the first rhythm gets going, you just seem to get into the moment. And I'll tell you one other thing. I don't think this applies to classical where you have to play the notes that are written and only the notes that are written, but an experience I've had dozens of times is that I'll listen to a tape of our show and I'll hear a particular phrase or syncopation on the banjo which I think sounds incredible, and try as I might, I can't duplicate it. It is one of those things that the beat, the other players, the atmosphere and the mood of the moment came from the gut to the hands and when you try to reproduce it, you can't re-create all of the ambiance that made you play the part that way.

I'm sure that when I start playing clarinet with a dixieland band, the same issue will arise and I'll worry about getting it right. But when the music starts, I'll be there.

So my advice is to just stick with it, think of the nerves as a sign that you care, and let the music take over.

Jeff

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 RE: reverse stage fright
Author: rebecca morris 
Date:   2002-04-18 23:41

Dear Julie
the same thing happens to me and ithought i was the only one except i get realy pumped and excited
after it but then some people think im slietly up my self .

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 RE: reverse stage fright
Author: Brad 
Date:   2002-04-19 07:47

Hi Julie,

You're really lucky! I wish I had "stage fright" like that :D There's nothing wrong with your, your mind probably just focuses on the music.

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 RE: solo stage fright
Author: DLE 
Date:   2002-04-19 14:10

It only ever happens to me when doing a solo performance, or when speaking. In ensembles, I feel perfectly fine, but am mega nervous when doing a clarinet, or piano solo. Singing is a different story - I HAVE to be relaxed to sing, and so I feel relaxed on a stage when singing on my own. For some reason I feel less can go wrong with my own voice, than with the voice of the clarinet. Breathing exercises help me alot, since they calm me down, and that is the key to a solo performance in my opinion - relaxation. Concentration is second to that. Once you are relaxed, you must concentrate on the fingerings, the tonguings, and most importantly - the breathing, Once you get into it, as Mark has said, all of this becomes routine and before you know it - it's the end of the concert!
Happy performing!
DLE.

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 RE: solo stage fright
Author: Kat 
Date:   2002-04-24 01:01

That adrenaline rush is the best part of performing! I always play better with an audience, no matter how nervous I am just prior to the beginning of the show!

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