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Re: Best ways to combat nerves?

Author: Matthew Moran
Date: 2009-02-09 10:29

I know how you feel - It used to be the case with me. I would suffer horribly fron nerves, which in any exam (Practical and aural) caused me to panic and make silly mistakes and give silly answers.

My advice is to get a friend or member of your family who has not heard you play or is not used to it, and just sit them in the room behind you while you practise. I don't know if it will help you, but I no longer suffer from nerves (Unless it's a big performance) simply because of practise in front of large audiences and playing in a group (Which is comforting because you don't feel that you are singled out as much) Although I would agree that one-to-one exams with an examiner in the room are much more difficult.

My old piano teacher used to remind me that they're people too, not omniscient beings! Although this was usually promptly forgotten before I entered the room.

I eat a banana 20 minutes before I go into an exam - I've had several music teachers tell me that it calms you down and supress nerves, and unless they're all in on a conspiracy, it's true! It seems to work for me anyway. Also breathing, and just before you begin, remind yourself that you are in control, clear your head, and take a big breath.

I use the above, and they all help, I won't lie and say they are miracles, you will probably always feel a bit nervous but the key is getting the nerves under control to the extent that they make you alert enough to enhance your performance, rather than blinker you with the sole purpose of reaching the end of the test.

Post Edited (2009-02-09 10:30)

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