There are two very dangerous states for a musician to fall into during a performance.
The first is when everything has been memorized to the point of automatism, and when playing in front of an audience, our thoughts begin to wander off somewhere else. We’re not fully present in the music.
The second is when we haven’t learned the musical material well enough, and, fearing we’ll forget something, we tensely concentrate on every note.
In the first case, we’ll simply lose touch with the present. The second will give us a lack of confidence, which will lead to forgetfulness or stress.
Of course, telling you that you need to relax before a performance is saying nothing worthwhile. I’ve been in both situations myself. It’s terribly embarrassing and unpleasant.
To avoid, or at least be prepared, you need to:
If you’re daydreaming on stage, activate your vision, scan the entire audience, and start moving (if you haven’t moved before).
If you’re very tense, force a smile. If you’re a musician, release the tension with more expressive movements.
I advise everyone to thoroughly practice musicians’ gestures, working from the performance. This helps you relax and recharge.
I wish you powerful concerts and grateful audiences!
What feelings did you experience during your first performance? Share them!
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