I have a piano recital tomorrow and I'm really nervous. How can I stay calm so that I don't make a lot of mistakes due to being jittery and anxious? I really want to perform well in front of my family and the audience but I'm so scared to have to solo.
by 
deepsy52
ANSWERS: 2
-
The key to dealing with anxiety in public performance is to allow yourself to be anxious. Resisting it -- trying NOT to be anxious, just makes things worse. It is possible to be anxious and STILL perform well. Follow your breathing: just be aware of it coming and going, feel the air come into your lungs and back out again. Notice the thoughts that come up: "oh no, I going to fail", etc. Notice the body sensations: tightening in the chest, in the facial muscles, etc. It's ok to be nervous. Life includes things that make us afraid. Courage isn't the absence of fear, it's being able to function while you're afraid. It's ok for others to KNOW that you're nervous: we're all human. Everyone has had to deal with these kinds of challenges. There's nothing wrong with you. Performance anxiety is perfectly normal. You don't have to "fix" it. Just allow it to be whatever way it is, and do your best.
-
I hope your piano recital went well. What have helped me in the past with my piano recitals is preparation (practice) which leads to confidence. Also, I've never liked the cold rooms which made my hands cold and tight and purple. I tried to keep the circulation going by moving my arms, and doing light exercise immediately before going in front of the audience.
RELATED QUESTIONS
Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC