Lauren,
I see from your bio that you are 11 years old. Why not ask your school music teacher if you can bring in your harp and play for your classmates? The more you play for familiar people, the faster you will get used to it. Besides, don't forget that at a wedding, you will be surrounded by supportive family members. Good luck to you! Please write back and tell us how you did.
harpomaniac--I had the same problem, and here's what a wise person told me:
Play your instrument every day. While you play, don't think about anything but playing the tune. And then, when you play in front of people, do exactly the same thing as you always do.--it's just the same as any other day. Don't think about those other people, just think about the tune.
At your age, harp or no harp, you're facing another 8 years of being afraid of people staring at you. At least with the harp, you're with a friend you've known for half your life. At the wedding, everyone there will be very proud of you and extremely supportive. (Oh, that's been mentioned already. I should read more carefully. Now I feel like 50,000 people are staring at me! So glad I don't have a webcam.)
Some might suggest you take your clothes off and play in front of them naked....but I would suggest you practice with that image in mind.
Seriously- forget the room you are in and all of the things going on.. and mentally make yourself alone with your instrument wherever you are sitting.
Herself suggest I am ADHD. So the distractions when playing in public are a personal 'demon'. You have to just block everything except the 'zone' you put yourself in.
I second all useful advice above; both practice alone, and as much as possible in front of people before this special day. Also remember, on that day, it is other people who are the centre of attention, so your playing is only a little bit of a much bigger event. Even if people will listen to your music closely, it is only because they want to enjoy it. As soon as it is over their attention will turn to the next part of the event.
im sorry i took so long.
i should really read more carefully about writing back.
i did fine.
thanks to all of you helping me.
i had to memorize my music, so that was harder, but i was fine. oops i said that.
once again thanks for all your support and advice!
harpomaniac
Help!
Help!
i have to play at my aunts wedding, and im scared!
how can i get over the fear of peoples staring at me!
HELP!
# Posted on October 14th 2008 by harpomaniac
Re: Help!
Lauren,
I see from your bio that you are 11 years old. Why not ask your school music teacher if you can bring in your harp and play for your classmates? The more you play for familiar people, the faster you will get used to it. Besides, don't forget that at a wedding, you will be surrounded by supportive family members. Good luck to you! Please write back and tell us how you did.
# Posted on October 14th 2008 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: Help!
Some good tips here:
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/18891/comments#comment394831
# Posted on October 14th 2008 by davydd
Re: Help!
harpomaniac--I had the same problem, and here's what a wise person told me:
Play your instrument every day. While you play, don't think about anything but playing the tune. And then, when you play in front of people, do exactly the same thing as you always do.--it's just the same as any other day. Don't think about those other people, just think about the tune.
It works for me.
# Posted on October 14th 2008 by John Galt
Re: Help!
At your age, harp or no harp, you're facing another 8 years of being afraid of people staring at you. At least with the harp, you're with a friend you've known for half your life. At the wedding, everyone there will be very proud of you and extremely supportive. (Oh, that's been mentioned already. I should read more carefully. Now I feel like 50,000 people are staring at me! So glad I don't have a webcam.)
# Posted on October 14th 2008 by GaryAMartin
Re: Help!
thanks for all the help everyone!
they are all great ideas!
# Posted on October 14th 2008 by harpomaniac
Re: Help!
Some might suggest you take your clothes off and play in front of them naked....but I would suggest you practice with that image in mind.
Seriously- forget the room you are in and all of the things going on.. and mentally make yourself alone with your instrument wherever you are sitting.
Herself suggest I am ADHD. So the distractions when playing in public are a personal 'demon'. You have to just block everything except the 'zone' you put yourself in.
Easier said than done I might add.
# Posted on October 14th 2008 by zippydw
Re: Help!
I second all useful advice above; both practice alone, and as much as possible in front of people before this special day. Also remember, on that day, it is other people who are the centre of attention, so your playing is only a little bit of a much bigger event. Even if people will listen to your music closely, it is only because they want to enjoy it. As soon as it is over their attention will turn to the next part of the event.
# Posted on October 14th 2008 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Help!
wow. im so glad everyone can help me!
thanks!
# Posted on October 14th 2008 by harpomaniac
Re: Help!
im sorry i took so long.
i should really read more carefully about writing back.
i did fine.
thanks to all of you helping me.
i had to memorize my music, so that was harder, but i was fine. oops i said that.
once again thanks for all your support and advice!
harpomaniac
# Posted on February 8th 2009 by harpomaniac