We come to the last component of dealing with performance anxiety: self-assessment. This part comes after a performance is over usually, although one can do this anywhere in the process (EXCEPT during a performance! that’s a no-no!). This is where you reflect on first what went well, and when you’re ready to think about
When you play in front of an audience, it can appear that they are against you. After all, you have a group of some size - whether just a few, or thousands - facing you and outnumbering you! Even though most people know in their conscious minds that they're not really against you, this perspective can play tricks
Every human has feelings to a certain degree or another. Most of us understand the display of feeling in others, and so when we encounter music - which is a means of depicting emotion through sound - we “get it”. However, being able to get that emotion to come out of our fingers or
The process of dealing with Performance Anxiety needs to contain some healthy doses of perspective and self-reflection. Ask yourself questions like: Why am I doing this? Is there really anything at stake other than my pride? Am I afraid of disappointing a teacher (either real or imagined pressure)? Am I trying to prove to
There's an inner battle we have with ourselves that can make even the most prepared person fall apart on stage. Having the right outlook on things can make all the difference in the world between success and failure when performing. In Part 2, I wrote about physical things you can do to help prepare
Having taught many students over the years, I’ve seen various levels of readiness to perform. I would say most students did what they thought was preparing and working hard, but what I’ve learned over the years observing myself and others is that there’s always more one can do. This means that it’s a process
Playing for your piano teacher at lessons. Playing in a formal recital. Playing at a nursing home. Playing for friends gathered around the piano to hear you play once they found out you were learning piano. Taking piano exams. Playing at a competition. Auditioning for college. Recording yourself for an online submission recital or