What to Expect When You Perform

and how to prepare for it.

Some People Think..

...a performance is like going to the dentist or the doctor.

...fear makes waiting the worst part, but our imagination created all that fear and after the waiting is over usually the fear is too.

...but maybe performance is more like...

A Roller Coaster Ride.

For me musical performance is like riding that gigantic, fastest and most dangerous ride in the park. It can give us knots in our stomach just to think about it. But once you are riding it...WOW!.

Of course everyone reacts differently,

maybe you are the kind that doesn’t feel anxious,

but either way you…

You Better Watch Out...

No matter who you are on stage it will be scary until you let go to the music. Even seasoned professionals get stage fright but here are some things you can do to alleviate and control the stress.

Have Realistic Expectations

We all wish we were Ricardo Morales, Richard Stoltzman, Lori Freedman or Stephen Williamson, but…we’re not. We are who we are at this moment in our musical development and there’s nothing we can do about it…

but that’s OK.

Richard Stoltzman once made his living as a pastry chef . Once at a clarinet clinic he made the comment

about being who we are, It rang true then and I still follow his advice many years later.

Your life is full of vulnerable moments. You might even feel like her...

Accept it, it’s ok, it really is. Whatever happens, happens. So what! You’ll live!

Acknowledge your vulnerability.

You Have a Gift to Give but Remember...

Whenever you give a gift you can only hope, you can only be reasonably sure that what you have to give will be appreciated,

but...

Fortunately and For Some Reason...

Musical performance has it’s own benefits…

Not only does it give us the chance to give of ourselves. Not only does it nurture

confidence and self expression.

It’s Fun! So...

Be Prepared... Remember that lesson when you wanted to show your teacher what you could do,but when the time came it just fell apart. Don’t be surprised, everything sounds better when you are alone and at home. Prepare yourself. See the presentation about practice. Practice smart practice right.

But Don’t Wait Until You are a Virtuoso

Your performance doesn’t have to be perfect.

So what if you are not the best; there will always be people worse than you and there will always be people better than you.

aa What?

Be in the Moment

When you are performing be in the moment.

The moment is now and thinking about the

past or the future is extremely unproductive.

Either one will cost you a mistake.

Even a mistake that you never made before.

Put away the self criticism.

When you do get a thought that is not in the

moment, don’t fight it. Just take the

magic feather and push it away.

It’s Not About You

Let go to the music. It’s like a conversation that is speaking to you so listen and sing along with it. Become part of it. When I perform, I like to imagine that I am on a magic carpet ride that moves and sways with the music. If you can do this nothing else will matter.

Be Grateful

Be grateful for the moment and the opportunity to share all the hard work that went into your performance.

Before You Perform Remember to......be prepared

...acknowledge your anxiety

...breathe deeply

...remember who you are and are not

...remember it’s not even about you

...be grateful

...push criticism gently away

...be in the moment, sing and listen

Musical Performance...

isn’t about being the best. It’s not a competition. Musical performance

is about…..

TH

E

MU

SIC

so let go and..

HAVE FUN!