Recital nerves

ChrisMClark

ChrisMClark

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OK, I'm an experienced performer, I love to be on stage playing music, whether it be rock drumming, or playing with a wind band. I love being out on marching band, and our dance band vocal numbers make me very happy but.....

...Next month I'm taking my ATCL (Associate of Trinity College London) and I'm getting rather nervous. In addition to the letters ATCL after my name, it's also my class 1 trade qualification, which opens me up for promotion, so it's chuffing important I get it. I can play the pieces, but the idea of a solo recital in front of 3 examiners scares the pants off me. Can anyone recomend any good ways of dealing with nerves? And serious ones please, I know I could go and get leathered...but that may affect my Xylophone playing!
 
I'm no good at that sort of thing either I'm afraid Chris, no useful suggestions, good luck and I hope you nail it.
 
Rescue Remedy can help some people (get it in boots), just put a couple of drops in water and have a couple of drops of the water. Makes sense when you read the instructions!
Don't drink too much before you go in or you will want to go to the loo as soon as you walk through the door! As you go in remember to breathe, get your head up and go for an oscar for convincing them you are not nervous, they know you will be shaking inside and will be used to jellified people being in front of them - in fact they will probably have been there themselves at some point.
Otherwise try to chanel your nerves into adrenaline and use them to enhance your performance.

Good luck with it though :)
 
Try some extreme practising eg ad hoc public performamces from start to finish at work, at home with people running up to you and around you talking and making a noise or in the street if that's legal.

Expose yourself to some scrutiny until your oblivious and in the zone.

Of course feel free to totally disregard all of the above.

and Oooohhhhhh [S4]Good Luck![/S4]
 
Tumble, that's a great idea...and if I was playing the cornet or clarinet I might just have done that...but! I play percussion, so taking the likes of 4 copper bowled pedal timpani and a full size xylophone onto the streets of dorset, or even taking them home for that matter, isn't really practical lmao...but it is a good idea.
 
Chris
i play drums, all musicians make mistakes - the best play the mistakes with flair and style...

know your part and your instrument inside out - have a plan for everything that can go wrong then build a plan to insure it does not. if you have thought about EVERYTHING that can go wrong and have a way out of it you have nothing to fear.

find a way to get into a zone - get your brain thinking positive - and practice getting into that state.


best of luck - not that luck will play a part...
 
I'm actually a little more chilled now. My pianist is happy with his parts and I realised I can actually play the stuff. Still nervous, but I can use that to help me.

Sporty: Check me out :D
Me_Kit_Lighthouse.jpg
 
Well you will be pleased to hear that I actually went to spec savers Today
I am looking forward to getting my new ones, I read that as RECTAL nerves
But then perhaps that wasn't too far from the truth :shrug: :coat:
Good luck hope all goes well :thumbs:
 
Another drummer here, a pic taken by the manufcturer of my custom made kit :woot:

DSCF1025.jpg


anyway - performance anxiety - relatively easy to tackle:

1) Practice until you are on auto pilot and you can then play whilst on auto pilot
2) Trust your autopilot when you play
3) Get your mindset as being the artist and not the audience - ie don't be critical of your playing whilst you are playing - focus on playing :thumbs:
4) Be "on the stage" - put yourself mentally and physically in that zone - if your autopilot is on you'll have a blast and enjoy it.

Like all percussive technicians (:lol:) our sound comes from feel - you and I could sit behind a kit and crack out a 4/4 rock pattern at the same tempo on the same kit yet it would sound different depending on the feel we gave it.If you are feeling cool, relaxed and in the zone this will come across in your playing, any tension will also come across :shake:

Good luck matey :clap:
 
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Autopilot? Marching band early morning after 13 pints of Stella the night before...now that's autopilot :D

I'd have loved a custom kit, and I would like one day to buy the blanks, hardware and cutom build and finish a kit. But for now my PDP X7 does the job. It looks the nuts and sounds amazing mic'd up on stage :D

Also Swinger, check out the 'new thing' in drumsticks...3 is the new pair :lol:
 
ChrisMClark said:
Autopilot? Marching band early morning after 13 pints of Stella the night before...now that's autopilot :D

I'd have loved a custom kit, and I would like one day to buy the blanks, hardware and cutom build and finish a kit. But for now my PDP X7 does the job. It looks the nuts and sounds amazing mic'd up on stage :D

Also Swinger, check out the 'new thing' in drumsticks...3 is the new pair :lol:
Click to expand...
Don't even get me started on that one :bang:

For my sins I was responsible in bringing Trueline Drumsticks to these very shores about 3 years ago (moved on since) and if ever there was......(must resist....) :whistling:
 
I'll admit I'm actually using 3 drumsticks lol, and I'm loving them, I'm using the 5A nylon tips, and they're great for everything, whether it's orchestral/wind band stuff, rocks group of dance band. Not tried them in Trad band yet, but theyre ace for everything, even marching band. And 3's better than two...most of the time :suspect:
 
My sis swears by rescue remedy, it also has a more powerful cousin I just can't remember the name - will come back if I can get her to tell me

all the musicians I know started off getting bladdered pre performance before the got over the nerves so I don't really have anything very specific and helpful
 
Drinking is probably one of the worst things you can do to get over nerves, and it also messes your playing up; I'm yet to find anyone who actually plays better after a few drinks! I'm sure I'll be ok, I've been a professional for the last 6 years or so, it's just the tought of another exam, I've not taken one in years! :lol:
 
Chris, it's really pretty simple. There really isn't much you can do about the nerves. If you weren't nervous about an important exam, there would be something quite wrong with you.

You're a pro, you know your stuff and when push comes to shove, you'll deliver the pieces you need to even if you are cacking it. That's what being a pro is all about. :thumbs:



..... and contrary to popular belief, imagining your examiners naked is NOT a good idea. Especially if you're also a photographer and have a very visual imagination. :gag::lol:
 
Chris.... one question, and a one word answer please...

Can you play the pieces for your recital...?
 
Yes now I can lmao
 
1. Rescue Remedy: you don't get it in boots - it comes in BOTTLES:lol::lol:
The advice is right though: read the instructions, take only the stipulated dose and have a test run a few days beforehand.

2. You aren't alone in being nervous before a test/exam. Remember, your examiners will actually want you to pass and they'll be willing you on.

3. I'm involved in something that involves reciting text from memory, ideally word perfect and in a manner which involves and interests the knowledgeable audience. Does that sound, in essence, like what you do? You know, there are times when people can get away with errors completely un-noticed because they've kept going and they've not let their body language lurch into "Oh drat I mucked up, everyone knows".

4. Is there any chance you can have a run through in the test venue itself in front of three mates who will sit there and be suitably stern?

5. All that nervous energy: if you can't jog it off beforehand, use it to focus on giving the performance of your life.

You will let us all know how well you do, won't you?
 
ChrisMClark said:
Yes now I can lmao
Click to expand...
Well then, there's your answer right there. If you can play it... and only you know that just now, then ride your confidence and go show 'em. You know your limits and your abilities re your performance, so if you can play the pieces, and you are happy with that, you'll be fine.:D
 
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