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Stage fright... sort of
I have a big problem with getting nervous before I perform, but it's really strange. When I act, I'm perfectly fine, and I only get a little nervous before the production. But I'm also involved in music. I love it a lot, but I get extremely nervous before auditions or solo performances. Why is 200 lines before an audience of hundreds no big deal, but a few measures in front of a couple of people incapacitating? I practice really hard, but when it comes to auditions, I only do half as well as normal, and I can barely breathe the whole time. My fingers get stiff and cold, and I shake like crazy! What is wrong, and how can I overcome it? It's really affecting me... I get placed lower down than I know I should be, just because I get nervous. I never got this nervous one or two years ago. WHAT'S WRONG!?!?!?!?
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My guess is that when you act, you get into the play and focus on the events and stuff. But when you perform an instrument, you think you'l mess up and people will laugh at you, or it'bc you're not concentrating hard enough. You really should. Concentrating on your piece is the best thing to help get over nervousness and it also helps you play better. Think about any hard parts. Easy parts. Parts that are complicated. Or just plain soothe yourself. I've been playing the piano for almost eight years. That trick really works for me. Good luck!
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When you act, you sort of become another person, but with music its all you. I don't know if that's why you only get stage fright for musical performances, but it's an idea. And you may just be more accustomed to acting--are you on the stage more often for acting or for music? And if the crowd is smaller for music, that may put more strain on you. Instead of a nameless crowd, you are faced with individual people that you probably know.
Anyway, all I can tell you is the usual stage fright stuff. Before the performance, don't think about the people or allow yourself to panic. Take deep, calm breaths and either concentrate on your music or think about how great you are going to be or just some generally happy thought. If a bad thought tries to break through, push it out! While performing, lose yourself in the music. Concentrate on your sheet music and your instrument, block everything else out. If you have to look at the audience for your performance, look over their heads at the back wall.
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