 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Gobboboy
Date: 2005-11-23 23:46
You walk up to your position think hard about what you are about to do... immerse yourself into the mood of the music you are about to play, relate yourself with the composer, knowing exactly what you want to do (heart beating a little differently..?) you put the mouthpeice in your mouth... and... it feels like it has no place being there!!! you take a breath and.. oh god! have I ever played the Clarinet before or am I just here for a laugh trying to fool these guys!... your tongue hits the reed like a wet mop and all of a sudden you feel like you have no business owning the thing let alone trying to play it public!....
why is it that you can practice for hours/weeks/months on end, get really positive and confident about your playing only to make a complete 'example' of yourself when then moment comes?
I have read many things about nerves and methods of relaxing (on this BBoard mostly) before the event over many years of playing in semi-professional and amateur orchestras but have yet to find a method that works for me. I tell myself that it 'just doesn't matter' and to 'relax' (imagine myself etc...)but when I step up to it, it all goes out the window and my body is in trauma and just cant seem to cope until iv'e settled (which does only take a few minutes or so, but by then its often too late)
I have an important audition coming up v soon and really dont want to stuff it up AGAIN!,
any comments from the ever knowlegable BBoard will be thoroughly investigated and appreciated!
cheers all
Gobboboy
Post Edited (2005-11-23 23:50)
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2005-11-23 23:55
why is it that you can practice for hours/weeks/months on end, get really positive and confident about your playing only to make a complete 'example' of yourself when then moment comes?
My initial reaction to this is because you're not practicing properly. Not that I can tell you how to or anything!
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Author: Gobboboy
Date: 2005-11-24 00:03
yea I thought about that too.
taking regualr lessons then playing the audition to collegues/friends for experience under some sort of pressure - but I think it has something to do with the 'Moment' - I realize that probably sounds a bit crap, but like the subject of this post says...its a state of mind that I feel I need to overcome. before I can relax properly. I think?
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-11-24 00:12
I'm of a frame of mind that I think you also should "practice" performing. Meaning, the more you do it, the easier and more natural it becomes. Maybe try a few performances in front of family/friends/ANYONE before the big day.
I've gotten to the point where on a nice warm day I'll simply walk around outside in a pair of shorts and play clarinet on my front steps/lawn. I get the honks of cars going by (and a few choice names from those who aren't used to seeing a young gentleman walk around half-naked while playing a clarinet), but it certainly has forced me to overcome the whole "being in public" thing. Plus I work on my tan.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2005-11-24 00:39
I think Alexi was being sincere. He's not usually one to answer questions facetiously or anything...It struck me as a completely genuine answer on his part to your question, Gobbo
Katrina
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Author: Gobboboy
Date: 2005-11-24 00:42
realized at retracted. just confused!
apologies! x
Post Edited (2005-11-24 00:45)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-11-24 00:59
No apologies necessary. I thought it was a very clever answer, and was thinking up a clever response . . . . !!!
Although it IS true. My friends laugh at me because I'm the only guy they know who will go out on a mountain bike ride, and follow it up by relaxing on my front stoop shirtless playing the clarinet.
Well, in any event. I certainly don't feel very embarrassed or sheepish when it comes to performing anymore. Although those FIRST few times on the steps were definitely nerve-racking. But I FORCED myself to become comfortable with awkward situations, so that when a performance came up, I'd be comfortable with the "norm", so to speak.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2005-11-24 01:26
Well, not kiddin' this is terrible. I practice a thousand or more hours a year and clutch when ANYONE is listening.
I am fortunate to be playing in an ensemble made up of fine players. One is a recent performance graduate (flute); and I asked her about "performance anxiety." She said: "Oh yes, I took a course in it."
So, interested, I asked what the syllabus for a course in Performance Anxiety (PA 101?) consited of. Turns out that the course was not to teach people how to get anxious, but to avoid anxiety.
Well, I still don't know what's included in the course, but she alludes to breathing, supporting her tone, so that the first notes come out cleanly. She says she uses the same breathing exercises to fall asleep --breathing and relaxing body parts in sequence one at a time. She also visualizes her performance --without playing the instrument.
Other pros in my group also think that breathing is critical. A little loss of support, a weak note heard by the performer shatters confidence.
Following up on replies above, I've decided that when I get good enough, I'll go around and ask people to listen to me.
I'm getting less nervous playing my lessons with my new teacher, and I think that's helping me quite a bit.
On the other hand, I lost an auditiion for First clarinet in our symphony orchestra through nervousness. We had to play the clarinet solos in the Waltz of the Flowers --but using a cheap chart using a Bb clarinet. This is in E-major with lots of accidentals and focused on the pinky fingers across the break. Now, I have to sit next to the winner and listen to him butcher the part. The part I could have if I'd not blown the audition.
Clearly, I need the same help you're asking for. Thanks for bring it up --again.
Bob Phillips
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-11-24 01:34
In all honesty, relaxation is a part of it. I took a course in public speaking, which tackles the nerves issue. We were taught many things. From proper breathing (as mentioned above, taking a good breath and getting the first notes out solidly is key), to other techniques. One technique is to shake out your arms/fingers right before. Tends to loosen them up a bit and I feel more relaxed afterwards.
Another (moreso in public SPEAKING, than performing perhaps) would be to videotape yourself and review the videotape. Do you have some nervous habits? It'll make you more aware of your presentation and perhaps if you know what you have to work on, and work on them, you'll feel more confident appearing live before other people.
I would think that the most crucial part of ANY performance is the start. People ALWAYS remember the beginning and ends of pieces. THe middle just tends to fly by them . . . So take a good breath, relax, and practice your entrance over and over and over again. PARTICULARLY with chamber ensemble groups (no conductor to tell you when to begin). After you NAIL the beginning entrance, you'll be immediately more at ease, rather than a squeaky or off-tempo entrance where it might take you a few bars to even out.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2005-11-24 06:46
My favorite thing to think about when going into a performance or audition is this: The audience/panel are there to hear you play your best. As much as you would like to think, they DON'T want to hear you play bad, so think of it from their point of view and just play well because they want you to as much as you do.
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2005-11-24 07:56
Know the piece, and I mean KNOW it. Don't just know what notes come in which order. Don't just know how you'll play it on the clarinet.
If you really know the piece, inside and out -- know where each note is going, know how those notes would behave if the meter was different, know how each downbeat is approached, know what it sounds like backwards, know the accompaniment, know which notes need a special touch to play properly and how to reliably apply that touch, etc. -- it is far more likely that you will be able to immerse yourself in the various aspects of the music. People will often say "don't worry about the performing, just enjoy the music." This is good advice, but, in my experience, it requires a very thorough, intimate relationship with the music itself.
Also, to expand on Morrigan's recommendation... the most painful thing for me as a listener is not to hear something played incorrectly. Rather, it's when a performer gets flustered by playing something incorrectly. The broken train of thought and motion is much more disruptive than the missed notes. Realize that the listener wants to listen to good music, not an accurate sequence of notes.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: Rhythmacres
Date: 2005-11-25 23:20
That's right. Practice till you can't miss. If you're playing it perfectly 50% of the time, that's not good enough. Also, learn how to recover from a mistake or a squeak, or whatever. You can do this by running through the piece without stopping to correct, about once a day before the performance.
I think of these things that can happen in performance in terms of either a negative or a positive circle. One thing leading to another, etc.... If something starts to turn the circle in a negative direction, there are tools to get it going positively. Breathing is key. Also, being prepared, and keeping a relaxed focus on the moment. We're all different, so there might be other things to consider.
I find that the first few minutes are more stressful than the rest, and I rely on the fact that I will settle down in a bit---hopefully soon. During that time I just play as well as I can. It's good to pick a fun sort of fast piece that's not too difficult to begin with---something that draws you into the music.
A performance is an overall effect. I just saw one of my guitar heroes, Joe Euro, and he totally messed up a fairly simple piece (Gymnopedie by Satie) and had to start again. But the audience was with him all the way and the whole performance was breathtaking.
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2005-11-26 01:20
OK, who's going to post the "passwords" to Don Greene's diagnositc tests?
Bob Phillips
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Author: Carol Dutcher
Date: 2005-11-26 01:24
Why is it that I'm sailing along doing an improv solo in Trad Jazz and from out of nowhere comes the worst squeak ever? I tape myself so I know I'm not imagining it!
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2005-11-26 01:55
Bob Phillips wrote:
> OK, who's going to post the "passwords" to Don Greene's
> diagnositc tests?
No one. Take the free one & pay for the complete one.
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Author: Gobboboy
Date: 2005-11-26 09:48
Well thanks everyone for your tips and advice - I guess the only real way round a problem like this is just to practice (my old teacher used to say 'dont practice a piece until you can play it right, practice it until you cant play it wrong!'
and then I suppose the rest is all down to experience. 'The more you do it, the easier it gets'
cliche city eh...!
This week I played in a masterclass with Andrew Marriner (LSO) and I felt great about what I was going to do but when it came to it I was shaking like a leaf! (hence this post) after I played he said - look, it really doesn't matter, just relax and enjoy the music - I know thats easier said than done but it really is true. Whats the worst that can happen?...actually lets not go there! but it did put me at ease, and the next time I played it was fine - he went on to say that most of the key elements to being able to play the Clarinet at all are in the mind, once it starts to think negative things it can really start to snowball - he said, most people wont even be able to tell if you've got a bad reed on for example, just blow on through and really concentrate. and 9 times out of 10 you'll succeed.
I read a quote from a proffessional player in England (the name escapes me) he said - 'when the concert starts I really want to play my best and, If I'm nervous then I wont be able to do that, so, dont be nervous!
Now that does seem a little too simple but it does get the mind thinking positive thoughts about the performance and can actually help.
Andrew Marriner by the way was superb! what a truly gifted muscian that man is - and a thoroughly lovely guy (always smiling) with a lot to give.
cheers everyone - I guess I'll just keep on plugging away!....
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2005-11-26 12:22
"OK, who's going to post the "passwords" to Don Greene's diagnositc tests?"
Just buy the book! It's worth every cent. I won't go into it here, but this is really the only method I have found that really allows one to get one's nerves under control. People have given nice advice here, but in the end "fear is not an emotion that responds to reason." You can tell your mind what you like, but it won't make the jitters go away. Don Greene's approach has got me through many competitions, auditions and big concerts, allowing me to to play close to my optimal abilities. Buy the book- that's the best advice I can give.
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Author: Tyler
Date: 2005-11-27 02:59
sfalexi is my new hero. that is sooooooo amazing! i'm truly inspired to think of something similar to do.........maybe not exactly the same, but........
thanks for the ideas!
good thread people!
-Tyler
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-11-27 07:55
Quote:
sfalexi is my new hero. that is sooooooo amazing! i'm truly inspired to think of something similar to do.........maybe not exactly the same, but........ Ah. Words that I don't hear very often . . . but seriously. Practice out in the open. Not in your room, in your living room. Don't mind company. Practice outside if it's warm. Anytime I see passers-by lookin' at me kinda 'funny', I know I'm that much closer to a nerve-free performance.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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