Nervousness when performing

[MileMarkerZero]

I've heard some of the world's finest players chip notes, even on CD's!!!

Witnesseth the Walter/Columbia recording of Mahler 1 on the Great Performances label. Think the tuba player would have always liked another take on that solo in the 3rd? You have to listen closely to hear that he had a bit of a problem on the 2nd high A.

That brings up another point...

What is a major disaster to you at the time is often unnoticable to the audience in the moment. So unless you totally break down or blow a dissonant partial, chances are the audience won't know the difference.

[iiipopes]

Indeed. Now, let's go backwards. A significant portion of performance anxiety can be manifestation of worry over improper preparation, whether as to length of practice and type of practice.

So, let's think ahead to the next performance. As soon as you know when, where, and what you're going to play, map out your rehearsal/practice schedule, and reassure yourself you can do it, and will do it the best. Then follow through.

Of course, it's not a perfect world. Just last week the night I was going to really focus on some of next week's music my wife came down with the flu and I had to cover everything for a few days at home as well. So, even if you can't pick up your instrument and actually blow, keep the music handy and in mind. Mental preparation throughout the time period is at least 2/3 as effective as actually blowing, because you're still at least preparing yourself for the performance. So after she got well I was able to pick back up where I left off and keep going.

I've heard it said in this way, and it's a good phrase:

Don't just practice; practice performing.

As you practice, in addition to the conventional focus on the notes, phrasing and style, keep in mind where you are going to be performing and who your audience will be. Then when you actually get there, your mind will already be farther down the road to being accustomed and at ease with the situation, and relaxed, focused, and better able to channel the pre-performance adrenaline towards a superior peformance.

[Rick F]

Man, there are a lot of good suggestions here.

One of the most nervous times for me was playing "The Lord's Prayer" in church in front of numerous family members at my granddaughter's baptism. I had played this piece numerous times before and have it memorized. I think it had something to do with me making eye contact with family members. That's why I now always have the music in front of me... even if I have it memorized.

The banana trick did work for me when I had to play a featured solo in front of our band with guest conductor, Maestro Loras Schissel last year. I didn't eat dinner, but had 2 bananas and water instead. I always have water by my chair too.

Be sure you know the music cold. Practice like you're performing... perform like you're practicing. Good luck.

[circusboy]

I was a professional non-musical performer (actor) for several years. Whenever a bit of stage fright came up, I just made myself remember that I was human--and so was everyone in the audience.

One tried-and-true method was to picture the audience naked (if you have the time and/or stomach for it), but I found that one of the simplest things to do was some little, private thing that got me grounded in my personal reality: pick your nose, sniff your armpit, . . . . (again, if you have the stomach for it). Sounds silly, but it can really bring you to the here-and-now.

[Tubaguy56]

ya know, there have been alot of posts on being better prepared so that you're not nervous, but in my 11ish years of playing (even when well beyond prepared) I've been nervous. The breathing gym does work wonders as several people have mentioned, breathing in general just relaxes you, but if you get into some really intense breathing then you just get so relaxed that you can make it through the whole performance. Needless to say I would swear by the breathing gym, worth every penny (but I just get it from pat and sam instead)

[MileMarkerZero]

ya know, there have been alot of posts on being better prepared so that you're not nervous, but in my 11ish years of playing (even when well beyond prepared) I've been nervous.

The best preparation is the mental prep. Once the music is under your fingers and in your heart, the rest is, simply put, fear.

False
Evidence
Alters
Reality

The mental prep involves examining our assumptions (evidence) about our fears and where they come from. 90% of the time, when we examine those things, we discover that our assumptions (and therefore, our evidence) is false. So we are basing our nervousness and fears on false assumptions about our audience: that they want us to fail, that they will laugh if something unfortunate happens, that they all are listening with the ear of a Fritz Reiner. When we allow those assumptions (evidence) to remain unchallenged in the court of our mind, we are allowing our reality to be altered. Reality in this case being that the audience does want us to succeed. Once we challenge the false evidence and debunk it in our own minds, it does a great deal more than just telling yourself that it will all be OK. You will have actually seen your fears for what they are: not worthy of further examination or attention.

A little nervousness is a good thing. It gets the adrenaline flowing. Everybody loves an adrenaline rush and the subsequent endorphine release. If we didn't get that, we wouldn't get up and play in front of people. But when that healthy nervousness crosses the line into self-defeating fear, that's when we need to look at the assumptions and evidence to make sure that we are perceiving the proper reality of the situation. And you can't do that on stage. You have to do that beforehand as part of your concert prep.

[MaryMacK]

Here is some great stuff written by Mr. Cox and I must say, he is my new hero.

I never post, but I couldn't resist and had a few minutes before I leave to play the Nutcracker, (my 25th year).
If I had to sum up the most important element in playing the tuba or any other instrument into one word I suppose it would be acceptance. Let me explain. You can only grow beyond where you are if you accept where you are in the first place. You can only begin to stretch your limits if you can see and embrace them. It isn't willpower or anger at your limitations that strethes them, it's acceptance. Getting angry at yourself for being where you are serves no purpose other than to fuel your frustrations and reinforce your perceived limits. Staying focused on what you can't do prevents you from discovering what you can.
No matter who you are, you can do more than you think you can do. Believing your doubts is one of the most insidious mind tricks that your ego can play on you. Doubts are not real; they are just illusions created to keep ourselves from taking risks because we are so afraid of failing. When you believe you can't, you can't. Come out of your thoughts - your doubts of "I can't do that", your worries of "am I doing this right?" your fears, your frustrations of "why can't I do this as well as he can?" and your ego resistance of "if I can't do this perfectly then I won't do it at all" and just be, accept.
Doubt your doubts and they vanish. Feel your fears and they fade. Let go of your worries and they fail to materialize. Just think less and be more.
Habits are powerful factors in our lives. Our character is basically a composite of our habits. First we make our habits, then our habits make us. Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.
Don't limit your practicing to just working on "fundamentals"
think bigger, expand and grow and forget the old saying, "practice makes perfect". Practice IS perfect. What habits in your practicing could be changed?

Ted Cox
Principal Tubist
Oklahoma City Philharmonic

[KevinMadden]

The greatest comment I've ever heard on performance anxiety comes from 'the inner game of...' books.

"Give yourself permission to fail"

the only reason we get nervous is because we're afraid of failing. If you allow yourself to fail, i.e If i miss a note its no big deal, you won't worry about it as much. when you're not as worried about screwing up, you will play how you practice. have bravado, own your music, and get up there and rock the house. You can do it, and if you miss a note so what? thats one note in one performance on one night. now how many notes does the average tuba player play in a year? whats one? its insignificant, move on and play your heart out.