i play the whistle and have been doing so for about 5 yrs now. in recent years i have been entering the scór with my sister who plays the fiddle.
normally by myself i can play quite well (trying my best to be modest) but when it comes to playing in public (especially on stage) with strangers i get nervous and get out of breath.......which is any wind players nightmare!
any tip s on staying calm or improving my confidince when i play in public??
Just keep remembering that 90% of the audience are thinking "I'd love to be able to do that". That will boost your confidence, and help you to relax.
The other thing is that half of the time no-one is listening, and those that are are not experts. This however can sometimes get you down, when you begin to think "What's the point?"
The audience is sympathetic anyway. Yes, I remember gigs where I thought I couldn't remember which part of the tune we were in - but my fingers knew anyway. Just keep on playing. Accept that there will be mistakes but nobody will really mind. You don' t usually make the same mistake on stage twice e.g. forget to repeat a part, start on the wrong note etc.
Practice doesn't make perfect. Just more confident.
Ah yes Grasshopper, It is sometimes difficult; is it not,
for you to remember that you are but a humble whistle player.
But do not go with fear Grasshopper.
Fear is eternal darkness.
Go instead with "inner strength".
For it is like a deep river; into which all streams flow.
It increases...always moving forward.
And soon, there is nothing that can stand in its way.
I'm the same way as possum described. I play terribly whenever someone evens looks in my direction. I hate starting sets. Etc. Try sitting next to a piper is its at a session. No one'll be able to hear you anyway.
If you don't have at least a slight degree of nervous you definitely won't play at your best. "Nervousness" is nature's way of preparing you for something that is out of your normal range of activity.
I'm it's true to say that all top performers in whatever activity - acting, playing music, singing, field athletics, etc - are nervous before they start the activity, even if it's not obvious. If you're not nervous then your performance will be jaded and off-color (even if technically perfect) and this will be noticeable to an audience. An audience is more fired-up by a performer who goes to the edge , even if he may sometimes slip over it - and that is always forgivable.
Incidentally, it's never conducive to a good performance to think of your audience as a row of cabbages - who wants to play to vegetables? Remember, there are always people there who want to listen to your music and are interested in it. They are the people you are playing to and sharing your love of music with.
You play the music because it is fun, right? Do you play in sessions? Is that fun?
The trick for me is a combination of relaxation and concentration. If I can concentrate enough to get past the distraction of being on stage, and I relax enough to be able to play well, then that makes it fun. The more fun I'm having, the more relaxed and focused I can be.
It works well for me, but I will say that if something goes wrong, it can quickly turn into a tense and distracted situation. Which make s me need to concentrate more to relax... Notice a theme here?
Play, play and play some more.... Busking of course will help......
Playing regularly at an open mic is also excellent! (you might find one in a coffeehouse for underage folks if you need to)
Open mike audiences are usually very supportive and OK with the many screwups that happen on stage.
Try taking your whistle to a park or beach.. on the ferry....... you might be amazed at the appreciatation out there for your music. (and if someone doesn't like it ...... that's their problem and don't take it personally...... just keep on keeping on)
Good luck!
worst time, in a mixed session on a stage I sing "Summertime" so people can get the key, out of the dark across a very large and very dark performance hall comes "awww shaddup Mum"
Get your entrance right! The most useful bit of advice my mum gave me was always to walk into a room as if you own it. Walk onto the stage confidently, straight up to the mike, big smile and give it welly! It does help if you've practised beforehand though! I played the fiddle in a rock band a few years back. We were going a gig in a large function room and in the break I left the room for a few minutes. When I got back to the hall, I could see through the glass doors that my band had gone up on stage and were ready to start without me (words were exchanged afterwards I can tell you!), but, mothers advice came to mind. I opened the door and walked confidently across the room where everyone was seated and waiting, paused to pick up my drink, and climbed the steps onto the stage where I picked up my fiddle to wild applause!! Result!
The above comment reminds me of a tale about the Swing jazzmen Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt.
They'd been invited to play at some exclusive nudist colony. On stage, behind the curtain, they decided to play with no clothes on, to lessen embarrassment among an audience they assumed would be similarly undressed.
The curtain duly came up, revealing the musicians with nothing on to the nudists, who - not wanting to embarrass the musicians - had all turned out in their best clothes..!
Another idea is, when you practice, to imagine you are performing alone infront of an audience. Visualise the stage,the audience and as much of the atmosphere as your imagination allows. If you do this enough times it fools your brain into thinking you have done it many times before and lessens your anxiety about it. I know some olympic gymnasts use this method and have proved it works. Then, as I said in my previous post it's a case of head up, shoulders back and making a confident entrance and try not to think too much about it!
Someone once asked Andrea Corr what she did if she forgot the words to a song in a concert. Her reply was that she just turned round and wiggled her bum at the audience until she remembered again. So, I guess you could try that.....
Even the pros have their moments when things don't go right -- and some that get captured for eternity. I remember one recording of Stan Getz -- jazz sax master -- playing with Woody Herman and the Thundering Herd... Stan's going for a high note on the tenor sax...and just muffs it...squawk!!!...but pressed right on.
Bottom line is that no matter what happens, do your best and press on. (and yes, even just playing in the pub gets the heart going for the first few songs....)
I certainly sympathize - it took me YEARS to be willing to play for/with anyone. I had gotten to the point that I wasn't going to get anywhere if I didn't "push the envelope" a bit, but I was still afraid of making mistakes, messing up the music, etc.
Finally, a good friend asked me a great question - Why are you playing this music, anyway?
For me, the answer became, because I love it, because it "feeds my soul", because it talks to me.
So, then the question really was - did I want to participate in the conversation (musically), or did I just want to parasitically soak it up? Once I changed my focus from "what will they think?" to "join the conversation" I found it MUCH easier to participate.
You know, I found it true that only the cultural clods complain about a missed note now and then, the rest either don't notice or don't care.
I still get nervous when it feels like I'm performing, but at least now I can do it, sweaty palms and all.
It works for instrumentalists as well - my singing teacher told me that nerves dry your mouth out so "lick your lips before you go on stage".
Do it in front of the audience if you want - they will think you are hungry and take pity on you (or buy you a drink).
Cultural clods - I've come across them occasionally. One species of the genus Cultural Clod believes that music is only worth listening to if it comes out of the recording studio, has been post-edited to the nth degree, and is only listened to with top of the range state of the art audio equipment in an acoustically designed listening environment (sorry, "room"). I met one of those sad characters once, who was just that. He never went to real live concerts because he couldn't stand all the extraneous noises from the instruments, let alone from the audience.
More of it will help- The more you play in front of people, the easier it will become. I haven't had to play alone in front of a lot of people... but I have been on stage many times. Just remember to breath deeply before you go on....your good at what you do and you know it. So Just be confident....I usually say a prayer or two before I go on
one of the best spontaneous cure is playing rounds and suddenly all other instruments go into a background strum while nodding at you to go solo. Oddly enough its a great learning experience and journey of self discovery.
Joze, I had one of your spontaneous solo moments last night. I don't think of myself as getting nervous any more, but I launched into Morrisons, thinking it was a good inclusive tune, and no one else in the circle knew it or at least was willing to join in, quite a surprise. So it was just me and the bodhran player. I muffed a few spots on a tune I know cold, simply because I started letting myself think of the fact that I was all alone there.
The way I learned to get over nervousness is to just throw myself into the breech again and again. The process leaves no physical wounds to recover from, and eventually you realize that you aren't going to die if you flub. And the biggest thing to learn is to pick up after a mistake and get back on track without losing the beat--learn to do that, and you have mastered the secret not only to music, but life!
I am on to the flubbing, my party piece is Autumn Child and occasionally I cock it up. Fortunately the only other person is a flautist friend who launches into it, we usually finish on one leading one backing and then switching. It has been known to silence a noisy pub.
playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
i play the whistle and have been doing so for about 5 yrs now. in recent years i have been entering the scór with my sister who plays the fiddle.
normally by myself i can play quite well (trying my best to be modest) but when it comes to playing in public (especially on stage) with strangers i get nervous and get out of breath.......which is any wind players nightmare!
any tip s on staying calm or improving my confidince when i play in public??
# Posted on October 28th 2006 by saxwhistle
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
I asked a similar question a while back...
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/11087/comments#comment227913
Lots of helpful input there
# Posted on October 28th 2006 by possumawesome
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
Just keep remembering that 90% of the audience are thinking "I'd love to be able to do that". That will boost your confidence, and help you to relax.
The other thing is that half of the time no-one is listening, and those that are are not experts. This however can sometimes get you down, when you begin to think "What's the point?"
But it is a lot easier than you might think.
# Posted on October 28th 2006 by bodhran bliss
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
No. Not nervous. Just can't eat.
The audience is sympathetic anyway. Yes, I remember gigs where I thought I couldn't remember which part of the tune we were in - but my fingers knew anyway. Just keep on playing. Accept that there will be mistakes but nobody will really mind. You don' t usually make the same mistake on stage twice e.g. forget to repeat a part, start on the wrong note etc.
Practice doesn't make perfect. Just more confident.
# Posted on October 29th 2006 by kuec
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
Ah yes Grasshopper, It is sometimes difficult; is it not,
for you to remember that you are but a humble whistle player.
But do not go with fear Grasshopper.
Fear is eternal darkness.
Go instead with "inner strength".
For it is like a deep river; into which all streams flow.
It increases...always moving forward.
And soon, there is nothing that can stand in its way.
You have failed noone but your own ambition.
Go and seek what you desire most
# Posted on October 29th 2006 by Lint - upon - Tweed
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
Try busking. That helps you get over playing in front of people.
# Posted on October 29th 2006 by DrSilverSpear
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
I'm the same way as possum described. I play terribly whenever someone evens looks in my direction. I hate starting sets. Etc. Try sitting next to a piper is its at a session. No one'll be able to hear you anyway.
# Posted on October 29th 2006 by Kheelch
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
Remember that they're not there to criticize you or your music. They're there to enjoy it.
# Posted on October 29th 2006 by cathrynb
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
If you don't have at least a slight degree of nervous you definitely won't play at your best. "Nervousness" is nature's way of preparing you for something that is out of your normal range of activity.
I'm it's true to say that all top performers in whatever activity - acting, playing music, singing, field athletics, etc - are nervous before they start the activity, even if it's not obvious. If you're not nervous then your performance will be jaded and off-color (even if technically perfect) and this will be noticeable to an audience. An audience is more fired-up by a performer who goes to the edge , even if he may sometimes slip over it - and that is always forgivable.
Incidentally, it's never conducive to a good performance to think of your audience as a row of cabbages - who wants to play to vegetables? Remember, there are always people there who want to listen to your music and are interested in it. They are the people you are playing to and sharing your love of music with.
# Posted on October 29th 2006 by Trevor Jennings
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
Second para should have started "I'm sure it's true to say ..."
# Posted on October 29th 2006 by Trevor Jennings
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
And there are a lot of excellent comments in this one:
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/4131
Cheers.
# Posted on October 29th 2006 by browndog
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
You play the music because it is fun, right? Do you play in sessions? Is that fun?
The trick for me is a combination of relaxation and concentration. If I can concentrate enough to get past the distraction of being on stage, and I relax enough to be able to play well, then that makes it fun. The more fun I'm having, the more relaxed and focused I can be.
It works well for me, but I will say that if something goes wrong, it can quickly turn into a tense and distracted situation. Which make s me need to concentrate more to relax... Notice a theme here?
# Posted on October 29th 2006 by Reverend
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
Play, play and play some more.... Busking of course will help......
Playing regularly at an open mic is also excellent! (you might find one in a coffeehouse for underage folks if you need to)
Open mike audiences are usually very supportive and OK with the many screwups that happen on stage.
Try taking your whistle to a park or beach.. on the ferry....... you might be amazed at the appreciatation out there for your music. (and if someone doesn't like it ...... that's their problem and don't take it personally...... just keep on keeping on)
Good luck!
# Posted on October 29th 2006 by nonesuch
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
Effortless Mastery by Kenny Werner.
Tiz the job!
# Posted on October 29th 2006 by P.browne
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
worst time, in a mixed session on a stage I sing "Summertime" so people can get the key, out of the dark across a very large and very dark performance hall comes "awww shaddup Mum"
# Posted on October 29th 2006 by Joze
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
Get your entrance right! The most useful bit of advice my mum gave me was always to walk into a room as if you own it. Walk onto the stage confidently, straight up to the mike, big smile and give it welly! It does help if you've practised beforehand though! I played the fiddle in a rock band a few years back. We were going a gig in a large function room and in the break I left the room for a few minutes. When I got back to the hall, I could see through the glass doors that my band had gone up on stage and were ready to start without me (words were exchanged afterwards I can tell you!), but, mothers advice came to mind. I opened the door and walked confidently across the room where everyone was seated and waiting, paused to pick up my drink, and climbed the steps onto the stage where I picked up my fiddle to wild applause!! Result!
# Posted on October 29th 2006 by bowburner
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
"Imagine them all naked"
# Posted on October 29th 2006 by Lizzy
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
The above comment reminds me of a tale about the Swing jazzmen Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt.
They'd been invited to play at some exclusive nudist colony. On stage, behind the curtain, they decided to play with no clothes on, to lessen embarrassment among an audience they assumed would be similarly undressed.
The curtain duly came up, revealing the musicians with nothing on to the nudists, who - not wanting to embarrass the musicians - had all turned out in their best clothes..!
# Posted on October 29th 2006 by nicholas
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
Another idea is, when you practice, to imagine you are performing alone infront of an audience. Visualise the stage,the audience and as much of the atmosphere as your imagination allows. If you do this enough times it fools your brain into thinking you have done it many times before and lessens your anxiety about it. I know some olympic gymnasts use this method and have proved it works. Then, as I said in my previous post it's a case of head up, shoulders back and making a confident entrance and try not to think too much about it!
# Posted on October 29th 2006 by bowburner
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
Someone once asked Andrea Corr what she did if she forgot the words to a song in a concert. Her reply was that she just turned round and wiggled her bum at the audience until she remembered again. So, I guess you could try that.....
# Posted on October 29th 2006 by bowburner
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
All really good advice!
Even the pros have their moments when things don't go right -- and some that get captured for eternity. I remember one recording of Stan Getz -- jazz sax master -- playing with Woody Herman and the Thundering Herd... Stan's going for a high note on the tenor sax...and just muffs it...squawk!!!...but pressed right on.
Bottom line is that no matter what happens, do your best and press on. (and yes, even just playing in the pub gets the heart going for the first few songs....)
Paul
# Posted on October 29th 2006 by pn5jn
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
Lizzy wrote: "Imagine them all naked"
Well... sometimes I imagine a select few naked... but this just makes matters worse.
# Posted on October 29th 2006 by Phantom Button
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
I certainly sympathize - it took me YEARS to be willing to play for/with anyone. I had gotten to the point that I wasn't going to get anywhere if I didn't "push the envelope" a bit, but I was still afraid of making mistakes, messing up the music, etc.
Finally, a good friend asked me a great question - Why are you playing this music, anyway?
For me, the answer became, because I love it, because it "feeds my soul", because it talks to me.
So, then the question really was - did I want to participate in the conversation (musically), or did I just want to parasitically soak it up? Once I changed my focus from "what will they think?" to "join the conversation" I found it MUCH easier to participate.
You know, I found it true that only the cultural clods complain about a missed note now and then, the rest either don't notice or don't care.
I still get nervous when it feels like I'm performing, but at least now I can do it, sweaty palms and all.
# Posted on October 29th 2006 by Dianeg
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
It works for instrumentalists as well - my singing teacher told me that nerves dry your mouth out so "lick your lips before you go on stage".
Do it in front of the audience if you want - they will think you are hungry and take pity on you (or buy you a drink).
# Posted on October 29th 2006 by geoffwright
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
Cultural clods - I've come across them occasionally. One species of the genus Cultural Clod believes that music is only worth listening to if it comes out of the recording studio, has been post-edited to the nth degree, and is only listened to with top of the range state of the art audio equipment in an acoustically designed listening environment (sorry, "room"). I met one of those sad characters once, who was just that. He never went to real live concerts because he couldn't stand all the extraneous noises from the instruments, let alone from the audience.
# Posted on October 30th 2006 by Trevor Jennings
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
More of it will help- The more you play in front of people, the easier it will become. I haven't had to play alone in front of a lot of people... but I have been on stage many times. Just remember to breath deeply before you go on....your good at what you do and you know it. So Just be confident....I usually say a prayer or two before I go on
God Bless and good luck,
begsandacon
# Posted on October 30th 2006 by begsandacon
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
one of the best spontaneous cure is playing rounds and suddenly all other instruments go into a background strum while nodding at you to go solo. Oddly enough its a great learning experience and journey of self discovery.
# Posted on October 30th 2006 by Joze
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
thanks every1,
some gr8 help ........
I'll have to try some of those things.....mabye not the naked one though! lol
cheers!
# Posted on October 30th 2006 by saxwhistle
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
Joze, I had one of your spontaneous solo moments last night. I don't think of myself as getting nervous any more, but I launched into Morrisons, thinking it was a good inclusive tune, and no one else in the circle knew it or at least was willing to join in, quite a surprise. So it was just me and the bodhran player. I muffed a few spots on a tune I know cold, simply because I started letting myself think of the fact that I was all alone there.
The way I learned to get over nervousness is to just throw myself into the breech again and again. The process leaves no physical wounds to recover from, and eventually you realize that you aren't going to die if you flub. And the biggest thing to learn is to pick up after a mistake and get back on track without losing the beat--learn to do that, and you have mastered the secret not only to music, but life!
# Posted on October 30th 2006 by AlBrown
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
I am on to the flubbing, my party piece is Autumn Child and occasionally I cock it up. Fortunately the only other person is a flautist friend who launches into it, we usually finish on one leading one backing and then switching. It has been known to silence a noisy pub.
# Posted on October 30th 2006 by Joze
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
sorry too early in the morning,....only person who knows it is a flautist friend.
# Posted on October 30th 2006 by Joze
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
a flautist friend?
# Posted on October 31st 2006 by BE
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
flau·tist Pronunciation (flôtst, flou-)
n.
One who plays the flute; a flutist.
*grin*
# Posted on October 31st 2006 by Joze
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
ooooookay...I'll believe you
# Posted on November 1st 2006 by BE
Re: playing on stage.. NERVOUS??
I used to get scared out of my mind. But the more I did it, the less nervous I got. It just takes practice.
# Posted on November 1st 2006 by *Misha*