 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Stephanie
Date: 2001-06-08 03:43
Ok. I was just practicing today and Ithis question popped into my mind. I notice that when I go into a tryout--any tryout--I get really, really nervous. I mean, once I could barely stand up when I went in to play my scales at Shoals. Anywho, I almost always mess up miserably and do not get as high a chair as expected. I come out knowing I could have done better. I want to know if anyone has any suggestions on how to maybe overcome this stage fright or whatever or maybe just how I can turn this nervousness into a positive thing to help me play better, which is what happens when I play with a full band. Please help me!
Stephanie
P.S. Speaking of tryouts, do any of ya'll know some good books that can help me improve my sightreading and also can tell me how to go about teaching myself and all? Don't even say anything about an instructor. I want to take lessons very badly, but just can't afford them right now. So I gotta work with what I have....me.
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Author: jerry
Date: 2001-06-08 11:13
Read and apply the principles of THE book.
"The Inner Game of Music"
Do it!
~ jerry
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Author: Pam
Date: 2001-06-08 12:19
I think to improve sightreading, just do it as much as you can. Any music that is new to you will work.
I got really nervous myself at a recital a few weeks ago. The only idea I can recommend is to perform in front of others as much as you can. That book that Jerry recommends sounds interesting too.
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Author: KevinS
Date: 2001-06-08 13:09
Stephanie,
Stagefright is a common topic. If you do a search, I'm sure you'll find many, many suggestions for ways to overcome stagefright. Jerry's suggestion about the Inner Game of Music book is great. You'll find many suggestions that will help you not only with music, but theories you can apply to life.
You can improve your sightreading skills by truly learning your major and minor scales and the associated arpeggios (Chords). Since music is made up of scales and chords, once you have a good foundation it is easier to sightread. My teacher always stresses that before we read through a piece, I need to identify the key signature, then for the key signature, what are the II, V and 1 chords are. It really is helpful once you get your bearings with the chords. When I was playing in school (many, many moons ago) I don't remember the instructors ever discussing proper chord progressions, or even chords at all. It's much more difficult to read through a piece of music note by note.
Remember to always practice with a metronome. This will help your rythm improve as well.
A good private teacher will help you learn theory as well as technique. The more you know about how the music fits together, the easier it gets to be confident in your abilities, and you'll find your stagefright will be less of an issue.
Good Luck!
Kevin Stockdale
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Author: Lynne
Date: 2001-06-08 13:42
I've found this fantastic site that'll help you with your nervousness. http://www.sambrown.co.uk
Read the comments on this page, and see what you think. It's certainly helped my playing and performance anxieties.
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Author: William
Date: 2001-06-08 14:35
Stage Fright--There's good news and bad news. The "good news" is that it becomes less of an issue as "time goes bye" and you gain experiance playing in front of audiencies either in a group or as a soloist. The" bad news" is that it never really goes away, BUT, you can learn to "turn it around" and make it work FOR you rather than against by letting it provide the competative edge (adrenalin rush??) that performers need to let their artistry truely shine. One personal technique for dealing with my "fright" in my early (high school) years as a soloist suddenly put on a stage in front of hundreds of peers and parents, was to pick out my girlfriend, in the crowd, and pretend that she was the only one I was playing for. Later, after she was no longer available for that role, I would make eye contact with some person (anyone) and play the same game of excluding the rest of the audience, concetrating all of my attention toward that one person, or one section, or one "whatever." By focusing my attention on one individual or object (music stand light, anything!) it helps me to deal with the frightening aspect of playing in front of the "whole" group. One silly other thing that I still do is to adjust my music stand (even if it doesn't need it) or my music, or my reed--anything to relieve the tension of the moment. (Tune again, even if you know that your pitch is perfect) Then I take a couple of slow, relaxing, deep breaths......and "Just Do It!!!!!!" I know that this is a daunting issue for you, but read all of the great advice others have given and try to pick up on some techniqes that will work for you. Playing music is too much fun to let Mr Stage Fright ruin it for you. Fight back, and Good Clarineting!!!! You Can Do It!!!!!!!!!!!! (and smile some) :>)
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Author: clarinet713
Date: 2001-06-08 15:23
I agree with Jerry-read the Inner Game-also, they say to eat bannanas? I guess they have something in them that calms you? Is that true?
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Author: eilidh
Date: 2001-06-08 17:02
i also have to agree with Pam
i have this difficulty too and my teacher says the only way to get over it is too perform as often as possible in public and even then the problem may never disappear entirely but will improve
good luck!
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Author: jerry
Date: 2001-06-08 17:12
clarinet713,
I have a project deadline today (I wonder why it is called DEADline) and I had a bannana this morning. As anxious as I've been, I'm glad the bannana helped. Otherwise I would have jumped out the window instead if just thinking about it.
~ jerry
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Author: Meri
Date: 2001-06-08 17:31
This is what greatly reduced my nervousness in performing:
Use a different focus point. Focus on how your technique is, focus on your sound quality, or focus on the musical quality of the work. Your mind will be so occupied that you cannot think about your nervousness.
At least, this is what worked for me...
Meri
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2001-06-09 00:24
I know this sounds stupid BUT---Imagine everyone in the audience sitting there in their underwear. When you stop giggling you will be relaxed and able to go on. This worked for me not only in concert conditions/etc but public speaking.
Bob A
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Author: Stephanie
Date: 2001-06-09 03:53
Thank you all, but what about playing just for judges. I mean, the ones you can't see? I don't really get nervous in fron of large crowds except on the piano. So...any more suggestions? NOt tthat these aren't good though.
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Author: clarinet713
Date: 2001-06-09 04:19
Jerry-are you serious about the bannana? Or am I just being gullible? I seriously do not know if that works or not! 
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Author: jerry
Date: 2001-06-09 10:33
clarinet713,
I am being entirely facetious..............sorry, I've never heard about the bannana but I did have a bannana.
Stephanie said, " I mean, the ones you can't see?"
Hey, Steph. If you can't see them, you don't know if they all went out for coffee, or fell asleep.............say! That's an idea, pretend they've all fallen asleep and you are there to wake them so they can get dressed. Just remember, they look just as rediculous sitting there in their birthday suits whether you can see them or not. Hey! They were bound to be standing (sitting) where you are at one time in their lives too.
Good luck.
~ jerry
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-06-09 14:43
If you search for banana on the BBoard or Klarinet you'll see that they are reputed to help with nervousness. However, an "Internet Doctor" site has an article where they say that one thing talked about (natural beta-blocker) is hooey: (http://www.drweil.com/qa_answer/0,3189,1808,00.html.
Bananas <b>are</b> relatively high in tryptophan which is converted into serotonin, and serotonin has been clinically shown (and is used in drug in the L-Tryptophan form) to reduce anxiety.
I don't know if the bananas contain enough tryptophan to affect anything, but they are high in potassium, fiber, and sugar and <b>taste great</b>!
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Author: Tim2
Date: 2001-06-10 18:49
And when I play, I have one an hour or two before I play. To my astonishment, it works for me. Don't go and eat 10 bananas, though. One alone works for me, with a meal. Two if you want.
Music is wonderful to play and as others have said, nerves should not have to overtake your abilities and be detrimental to your playing.
Good luck, Stephanie.
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Author: clarinet713
Date: 2001-06-11 03:33
:) I'm not crazy after all!
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-06-12 15:14
I recently returned from a gig in Chicago for an arts festival. I was supposed to give the starting note after their finale processional (a big deal with all the arts represented) on center stage. Before going on stage I had a bout with stage fright and had to go back stage to the "ladies" room to take care of that "urgent" feeling that accompanies stage fright for me. In doing so, I fell off the edge of the stage where the logistics people had placed a platform for the organ and landed hard on my knees while holding my clarinet in the air for its protection. About 10 of my fellow orchestra members saw the fall and raced out to check out my instrument for damage. No one mentioned the torn black orchestra formal wear or the bloody knees. To make a long and sort of funny story short, the pain and embarassment cured me of the stage fright. I limped to center stage, sounded the beginning of the orchestral part of the evening and limped back to my place in the orchestra. I think I'm cured. AND, I can almost walk normally.
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Author: ClairGirl
Date: 2001-06-23 05:56
well, what ever this may contribute... Before an audition or a performance I take a minute to look at my "good luck box". It's a small box i've filled with small medals from music festivals, inspiring quotes, a four leaf clover, a picture my friend took, etc...It reminds me of how well i can perform when i'm focused and relaxed.
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Author: Bror I. Eggen
Date: 2001-07-06 13:11
Hello,
You have already got several good replies, and here comes another issue:
The stage or performance fright or nervousness is at a maximum when 1) you have the least confidence in yourself and 2) when you physically is "at the alert".
Therefore: 1) Rehearse more, play before your family audence (or neighbours) or make a recording to yourself. 2) Do a bit of exercise an hour before, such as running (or jogging if you are not so experienced). An example could be 15 minutes warming up (easy jogging and stretching), 20 minutes steady running or exercising differently but near your maximum capability, 10 min. rounding off and cooling down. Do not drink too much, though. Hours after this seance you will feel relaxed and good, in fact keen to show off to your auditorium. You will also be less transpiring, even if you have to wear a jacket and tour performance tie!!
Good luck and welcome into the clarinet marathoners society!!
Bror Ivar over there in old Norway
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