Piano Playing and Performance Anxiety

I'll never forget the first time I played the piano for an audience.

It was my first concert and it was fairly full up. I was to play my first CD "La Jolla Suite" containing 12 pieces. There was to be one intermission and the whole concert lasted about 80-90 minutes.

Let me tell you that I was very nervous. So nervous I didn't think I was going to make it through. Suffice it to say that I really didn't enjoy myself. After many hours of trying to figure out why I was so nervous, the answer came to me - it was because I was self-conscious.

I was worried about how I looked, what the music sounded like, etc. I couldn't relax because I was too concerned about what the audience was thinking about me. And to this day, giving concerts is not my favorite thing. I realized that I didn't like being the center of attention.

What to do? For most people, myself included, playing in public is a fearful experience. Many suggest that you keep at it and eventually the fear will dissipate. But I ask myself why do it in the first place if you are scared. I have no hard and fast answers like many of the public speaking books would have you believe work. The truth of the matter is that some people are more comfortable in front of others. But one thing I think works is this: Start playing for very small groups of people and work your way up.

This desensitization process works better than most other methods because you learn that the audience is just made up of a large group comprised of smaller groups. If you can play for just one or two people and feel good about it, you are solidifying this experience. Then as you gradually play for more and more people, there is no fear because you do not carry it with you.

You see, if you play first for a large group, of course you will be self-conscious. But, by gradually building up, you don't create a situation where fear is generated in the beginning. Consequently, you don't carry it with you into larger performance spaces.

About the Author

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years! Visit us now at http://www.quiescencemusic.com/piano_lessons.html for a FREE piano lesson!

Here Are Some Tips On Piano Playing and Performance Anxiety

The Joys and Magic of Music

Emmet Dent, for many superintendant of Manhattan StateHospital, said, "Music is responsible for cures among the insane,and improvements of patients seemingly in a hopeless condition area little short of marvelous". Unfortunately, when we are forced to listen to someone else's music,it is no longer a pleasurable experience. From the time of a baby's conception, it begins to absorb sound.It's mothers heartbeat for example, conversations and daily sounds.Some of our earliest memories are of the songs learned as children. In modern factories and offices, music is used to minimize boredomand fatigue.

New Age Piano Tricks

The artistry in this is how he maintains interest. Technique can be taught by most anyone and can be learned readily. And all that's required is the ability to trust your intuition.

Form - Giving Shape to Your Music

The first few bars (8 usually) is more than enough to propel you forward. To give form to music does not require as much theory and technique as most people think. Be bold and go forward. Be afraid of not trying. How is this accomplished?

Classical Music - How I Was Magically Mesmerized

Its something all of us can use to bring our hectic lives into balance. Always, always share your gifts with your audience. I was sitting just a few yards away from the brilliance on stage in front of me. Imagine listening to music that creates those tingles every day.

Tip! Help Your Child To Want To Play The Piano!

My son becomes quite determined to play the song so that the poor animal is saved and the spell that the supposed wicked witch has cast on the animal is broken. She is also a mother of a cheeky 3-year-old toddler. Help your child to want to play! I sincerely hope this helps your child too. Make him the hero and his playing of the song can only save "Winnie the Pooh!" Many parents who start their kids young on the piano will understand how challenging it can be to get them to play the piano (or whatever musical instrument the child has started with) on a regular basis.

Music Is Only Music After All

On my lastnight with the band, I dressed in a full length robe and letloose a barrage of quasi-rock star poses. Nothing less than theater. I had discovered a new identity. The circus got out ofhand.

Classical Music Therapy

The Greek mathematician, Pythagoras theorized that music diminished and even eradicated negative energy and emotions. Similarly, classical music has the same effect on humans as it does on plants. Like a feather takes to the sky, I feel freer, more relaxed and in tune with my higher self.

How to be Creative at the Piano

After all, aren't they willing to learn? They have discovered that the secret to being creative at the piano is to release all expectations of good or bad and focus on the process. They think if they can't play a fugue like Bach, they are untalented. Then they can relax and fully enjoy all that music has to offer. Fortunately, there is a style of piano playing that bypasses this academic snobbism and allows the beginning (and advanced) student to be more creative.

A Closer Look at Violin Sheet Music

There are literally thousands, if not millions of musical pieces for violinists to play. Violinists who play any in any genre can find sheet music of interest. Players interested in classical music can find sheet music for entire symphonies. Sheet music appears on one of two clefs, either the bass clef or the treble clef.

Self-Training in Sight-Reading (Piano)

Getting the Right Kind Of Music:. With adequate technique, good eyesight and persistent practice, any pianist may become a good sight-reader. Look it over carefully before attempting to play. If you play from memory and have the habit of watching the keyboard, confine your reading for a time to music that lies close under your fingers.