Staying Calm

**scared2mosh** · 04-20-2010, 10:25 PM

Not sure whether this belongs here, Piano, or V&P Arts so feel free to move if necessary.

Basically I really need tips on how to stay calm while playing piano in front of people... for some reason it just freaks me out and I usually forget the music. Even if I dont feel nervous or forget the music my hands shake soooo much. Like I can barely manage to play it's so bad.

Any ideas on how to get past this???

mulletman · 04-20-2010, 10:30 PM

Imagine partying with them in your underwear.

Wait, that's not how that one goes....

tlj009 · 04-22-2010, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Staying Calm
Not sure whether this belongs here, Piano, or V&P Arts so feel free to move if necessary.

Basically I really need tips on how to stay calm while playing piano in front of people... for some reason it just freaks me out and I usually forget the music. Even if I dont feel nervous or forget the music my hands shake soooo much. Like I can barely manage to play it's so bad.

Any ideas on how to get past this???

Maybe this is bad advice but perhaps you could use another strong emotion to override your nervousness. Anger may be a choice (good or bad).

**scared2mosh** · 04-22-2010, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlj009

Maybe this is bad advice but perhaps you could use another strong emotion to override your nervousness. Anger may be a choice (good or bad).

That's what I usually do and it gets rid of the nervous feeling, but my hands still shake uncontrollably

tlj009 · 04-22-2010, 01:29 PM

Quote:

That's what I usually do and it gets rid of the nervous feeling, but my hands still shake uncontrollably

I put my body at odds with my mind and really scold it severely for not doing what I want it to do. It seems to help control the shakes (among other things).

crazymoose · 04-22-2010, 10:02 PM

Focus is what I do. I don't let myself even think about the fact that I'm playing in front of a crowd. I focus on every little detail of what I have to do, and when I screw up I just keep going as if I was playing in my room. I tend to do the blank stare into the audience, like I look out at the audience, but I'm not actually seeing any of them cause my focus is on my guitar playing.

**beanbag** · 04-23-2010, 01:02 AM

recognize and own your nerves. ignoring them isn't going to make them go away. acknowledge them and take some deep, calming breaths.

the more you practice and play in front of people, the easier it will become. hold mini-concerts and ask your friends and family to come sit in. also, try to remember that most people won't have a clue if you screw up.

penguinofwar · 04-23-2010, 05:02 PM

I think you have to recognize your nerves, and be in control of them like beanbag said (for the record, I apologize for only knowing like 4 peoples names on this website).

I also think trying to override your nerves with other emotions isn't what you want to do. Its not going to make the situation any better. And plus, is it fun to play the piano out of like anger? From past experience playing sports, overriding your nervousness and worries doesn't work. It ending up with me not acting like myself, which is really the last thing you want to do. Trying to calm yourself down will make things better. Take deep breaths, try not to think about the people watching and just think about succeeding. And remember why you play! You play because its fun, not for the satisfaction of other people, even if its fun to play in front of others. Think about having fun when you play.

**scared2mosh** · 04-23-2010, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by penguinofwar

I think you have to recognize your nerves, and be in control of them like beanbag said (for the record, I apologize for only knowing like 4 peoples names on this website).

I also think trying to override your nerves with other emotions isn't what you want to do. Its not going to make the situation any better. And plus, is it fun to play the piano out of like anger? From past experience playing sports, overriding your nervousness and worries doesn't work. It ending up with me not acting like myself, which is really the last thing you want to do. Trying to calm yourself down will make things better. Take deep breaths, try not to think about the people watching and just think about succeeding. And remember why you play! You play because its fun, not for the satisfaction of other people, even if its fun to play in front of others. Think about having fun when you play.

Actually Anger is a good emotion to be feeling while playin my piece haha. Still I get what you are saying. I found that imagining the applause and congratulations afterward help quite a bit with the nervous feeling, but not so much wit the shaking.