 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarinet713
Date: 2001-11-19 02:53
Can anyone give any advice? I have my first recital next Wednesday and am nervous. I performed a couple weeks ago a selection from my recital and I got incredibly nervous-I kept breathing in but wouldn't let myself exhale the stale air, my mouth was dry, my bottom lip was shaking! Which made my tone shake a little though you couldn't tell on the recording. I am having a hard time with this and could use some advice because I am to the point where I am not wanting to do this recital, but I LOVE to play! Doesn't make much sense does it? Anyway, I want to perform well without anxiety or at least with less than I have been. Any help would be appreciated.
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Author: MsRoboto
Date: 2001-11-19 04:05
I don't know if there is any truly good advice for anxiety.
Be as prepared as you possibly can be. This will help with your confidence.
Do you play for other people regularly? Many people have problems giving presentations etc. I think the best cure for the anxiety is to perform as often as you can. This may not seem intuitive but from sheer repetition you will get better at this skill.
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Author: Ken
Date: 2001-11-19 04:13
One trick I like to play on myself, time, distance and if the facility is available, ask to borrow/get access to the hall or room I'm going to perform in advance when there's no one around. Play a mock performance (a complete run through with any accompanists is the best scenario) recreating all conditions. Visualize the audience in particular before me, that hacking cough or sneeze in the middle of my cadenza. I can also take the opportunity to familiarize myself, getting comfortable with the characteristics of the hall...the fewer surprises the better. <;-}~
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2001-11-19 04:20
I read somewhere a London Symphony soloist wrote:
"When practicing, always imagine you are playing before the audience and enjoy the play at concert. Playing before audience is a reciprocal communication not a one-way. Thinking like this, no performance anxiety."
It seems a good advice.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2001-11-19 05:47
These are some tips I give to my students. Perhaps they may help you as well:
1. Realize that we all (even seasoned pros) get a little anxious before a big performance, as we have the feeling of being 'judged' and want to play our best.
2. Don't do a lot of practicing on the day of the performance, as small errors will add to your anxiousness.
3. Arrive at the site early enough to be comfortable and not feel rushed.
4. Do a "mock" performance in front of anyone you can find (family members, relatives, friends, etc...) The more of these that you do, the more confidence it will give you on the "real" day.
5. DON"T EXPECT MIRACLES ON THE PERFORMANCE DAY. If you can't consistantly play something before the performance, chance are you won't play it correctly on the big day.
6. Try to have fun...I know easier said than done... but you are conveying a musical thought through your instrument. Your instrument is your voice...remember that as you play... Good Luck...GBK
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Author: J.A.M.S
Date: 2001-11-19 10:55
HOLA AMIGA-COMPAÑERA DE FATIGAS, CON ESE MARAVILLOSO INSTRUMENTO;YO TAMBIÉN PADEZCO DE ESA MALDITA FÓBIA AL TOCAR EN PÚBLICO,Y TE COMPRENDO.
A ESTAS ALTURAS YA HABRÁS TOCADO Y TE HABRÁ SALIDO UNA INTERPRETACIÓN EXCELENTE,ESTOY SEGURO.
MI CONSEJO,SI SE PUEDE LLAMAR ASÍ,ES QUE DISFRUTES LO MÁXIMO CON TU INTERPRETACIÓN,PORQUE ES ÚNICA E IRREPETIBLE Y QUE HASTA LARRY COMBS DEBERÍA DISFRUTAR DE ELLA.ÉCHALE MUCHO DESCARO,SÉ DESCARADA,TRANSFÓRMATE,MIRA A LA GENTE A LOS OJOS MIENTRAS TOCAS(SI TE SABES LA PARTITURA DE MEMORIA)
ÁNIMO ERES LA MEJOR.
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Author: William
Date: 2001-11-19 15:24
In addition to the above suggestions, I always try to "take charge" of the stage and audience before beginning by doing such things as adjusting the heigth or position of my music stand, re-arranging the music on the stand (even if it soesn't need to be rearranged), tune (one more time) to the piano even if just to listen to the accoustical presense of the room or concert hall, re-wet and readjust my reed, etc & etc--any little activity to ease the tension and calm my nerves. Then, after everything is "ready," I always pick one person in the audience to concentrate my performance efforts on. This has the effect, at least for me, of taking everyone else out of the "picture" thus reducing any anxiety related to playing in front of the much larger group. I also do this on jazz gigs during solos by staring at the microphone while playing to help ignor all of the extraneous distractions that may be happening in the "audience"--talking, people moving, bottles and glasses clinking, etc.
Also, to help your level of confidence, to is acceptable to bring onto stage extra reeds, your swab with some cigarette paper, some water to ease "dry mouth syndrome," and even a towel to dry any sweat that may occure. I have a little black travel accessory pouch, that I always take on stage, which contains my reed case, two spare mpcs, my swab and a set of tools with some electricians tape and a small butane lighter to reset any pad that might fall out mid-performance. During my first trip to State Solo and Esdemble Festival in high school, one of my lower joint pads fell onto the floor during the second page of Webers Concertino (Himie Voxman was the judge) and no one (my accompaniest, parents, audience members, room chairman or the judge) had a match to re set the pad. Not even chewing gum was to be had!!! Dr. Voxman finally suggested that I wet the back of the pad and insert it and "see what happens." A few lines later, out it fell. To make a long and boring story shorter, this happened many times to the end of the piece--fall out, pick up and start again, etc--but in the end, Dr Voxman rated my performance as a superior. But, as a result, I have always made certain to have a match or some kind of adhesive available, just for piece of mind.
But nothing helps ease ones fear of performing in front of a large audience (or any group) like having the confidence that you are fully prepared to play--that involves intelligent selection of recital materials and thorough research and practice. And remember, everyone makes mistakes--that is why recordings and films need so many expensive re-takes. I heard John Bruce-Yeh, the brilliant CSO assistant principal clarinetist, play the Stravinski Three Pieces for a morning clinic session at a recent Mid-West Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. Playing the work from memory--after addressing the large audience for a half an hour and with no personal warm up (he just took his clarinets out of his case, cold, put the reed on and started playing)--he squeeked three times during the second movt. He went on, however, to play the third movt. with such absolute perfection and brilliance that he recieved a well deserved standing ovation from me and everyone else in the audience. Later, appearing as guest soloist with another featured clinic band, he performed the Gould Derivations (also from memory) with absolute technical and musical perfection. Bottom line: Don't worry about mistakes, they are going to happen. Just be persistant and "play through" them--many listners in the audience may not even notice if they are just "little" ones. Make the total performance your goal, not every little technical hurdle along the way.
Now, stand tall, take a deep breath (maybe two), try to relax, concentrate on what you are about to play and Good Clarineting!!!!!! Have a good one and enjoy.
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Author: Mark M
Date: 2001-11-20 05:54
I've gone through this also since I've only been playing about 8 years after a 25 yr hiatus. Now important parts are here and the embrochure tightens as a function of anxiety. I've come to the conclusion that now I just sit back, put my shoulders back take a few deep breaths and remember..... You're here because you want to be here and you enjoy being here and it's fun. You gotta remember to have fun. Once you're there, and you know the material, well.......
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Author: joe
Date: 2001-11-20 22:29
A few simple things that I have used for the past few years that work like a charm.
1. Try to keep yourself busy with other things
2. Don't consume any salt or caffiene about a week or so before the performance-it sounds crazy but it works.
3. BANANAS BANANAS BANANAS! They have a natural sedative in them. Eat a few the day of, you'll do great!
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Author: clarinet713
Date: 2001-11-21 03:14
Thank you all for the advice. Joe, why no salt or caffiene(sp?)? That's going to be incredibly difficult with Thanksgiving being a day or so away and me being at home from college where my mom cooks food that TASTES good! :-) Isn't there some vitamin or mineral that is supposed to help with the nervousness? William, I can't tell you how much better your story about John Bruce-Yeh makes me feel-one of the pieces I am performing is the Stravinsky and my biggest fear is playing this beautiful first movement and then breaking into the second movement with a LOUD SQUEAK! However, knowing that professionals make mistakes such as that makes me feel better, but I still don't want to squeak in that movement! Thanks again
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