May is
recital season. We walk those hallowed recital halls wearing our hearts on our
sleeves, silently fearing the worst, but hoping for the best. Why do we
agree to play in recitals? Is it really worth all the worry? Here are some
reasons why teachers encourage their students to perform, and how to lessen performance
anxiety:
Why
is it important to play for others?
-Preparing
for a recital motivates you to learn your piece thoroughly. Never underestimate
the fear factor where piano practice is concerned! Your recital pieces are the
works you tend to remember the longest, because you’ve rehearsed them the most,
and have paid attention to the details.
-It's
important to become more comfortable playing in front of others. Even if you
take lessons just to play for yourself, you will be approached by others and
asked to play, and the more you do it, the easier it becomes.
-You get
an exhilarating feeling of accomplishment when you have completed a piece and
performed it in public. It’s like a graduation ceremony!
-You get
to see your fellow students grow and learn along with you. Participating in a
student recital fosters a wonderful sense of camaraderie and mutual support. No
one expects you to play flawlessly; your audience is on your side!
-Playing
music is a gift to the community. When you play, others get to enjoy hearing
your music, and you get to enjoy hearing theirs.
Preparing
for a recital:
-Practice
starting from various points in your music, so that if you get lost while
performing, you don’t have to restart from the very beginning.
-Practice
playing in front of friends and family members on different pianos, at
different times of the day. Mix it up so that you become more adaptable.
-Practice
playing without stopping to correct mistakes. Just let the mistakes go, and move
on. Then, at other times, work just on your problem sections by drilling over
and over until you have them down.
-If you
find that you’re having a lot of trouble with a part of your piece the week
before the recital, ask your teacher if there’s a way of omitting that section
from the piece for this performance. Pick a piece that you feel comfortable
playing. If you’re struggling with your piece even when you’re alone, you might
not be ready to perform it. Keep practicing it for the next performance
opportunity!
-On the
recital day, do something that relaxes you. Meditate, watch a funny movie,
dance, take a run, listen to soothing music, or do whatever works for you.
Strategies
for alleviating stage fright:
-Stage
fright occurs when we are focused on our performance, instead of focusing on
the music itself. Remember, it’s about the music; it’s not about you. Practice
keeping yourself completely involved in your music- the melody, the rhythm, the
sounds you are producing with your body and your expression.
-Anxiety
disrupts normal breathing patterns producing shallow breaths. Deep breathing
before and during a performance relaxes the body. When I make mistakes, I take
deep breaths to calm myself.
-While
you are waiting to play, try progressive muscle relation. Squeeze and relax
muscles beginning with your feet, moving up through your body to your
shoulders, arms and hands.
-Violinist
Paul Hirata of Seattle teaches musicians to “halve your anxiety.” Inhale, exhale, relax, loosen your
tight muscles, and let go of half your tension, saying quietly to yourself, half. Then take another breath in and
out, relax a bit more, and let go of another half of the tension that remains.
Continue breathing and relaxing and saying half, half, half…
-Let go
of expecting perfection. So many of my students seem to believe that if they
make mistakes it ruins the piece. That’s absolutely not true. Forget about the
mistakes immediately, breathe, and focus on the sound of your music.
-Be as
loving and non-judgmental with yourself as you are with the rest of the students
performing. If you are taking piano lessons it’s understood that you are
learning, and not a professional. However you play, it will be enjoyable for
everyone else to hear your music. You are good enough just as you are.
-If you
are looking for some extra help, experiment with these before the recital day.
Herbal remedies such as relaxation teas or valerian capsules, or homeopathic
remedies such as Calms or Rescue Remedy are said to take the edge off of
anxiety. Some professional musicians use beta-blockers such as Inderal, to
subdue stage fright. However, beta-blockers can create a detached feeling,
which makes it difficult to connect with one’s own music. Make sure if you
decide to try one of these, that you try them well before the recital to observe
the effects they have on you and your ability to play.
-Play
with love and joy. This is your hobby! Don’t sweat it too much.
