I don't know if anyone has mentioned this in this long thread, but if I concentrate on the music and communicating the music to others, then the music is not about myself, but about the music, and my nervousness dwindles. Of course, there is excitement, but that can be helpful in doing one's best for the music. So I guess what I mean here is that if I don't focus on what others think of me and my playing, but on the music itself and my desire to express it, then whatever nervousness remains can be applied to the intensity of expressing the music.
I used to play a lot at an assisted living where the folks didn't care about a few mistakes. They were just so delighted to have live music that they were listening intently to whatever I could express through it. Also, it helps to have the notes in front of me instead of relying on my memory. Of course, I could intend to play from memory but the music was there in case I forgot or got distracted.
Mozartiana

Maybe you should read this book once :
The Inner Game of Music by Barry Green and W. Timothy Gallwey

This book is one of the best I have ever read. Within one day of reading a few chapters
it had actually helped me tackle my AADD when playing, seriously helped to quiet all the
distractions in my head when trying to concentrate on music. It is also a very easy read.

The more fear you successfully overcome the more exhilarating your performance will be. You will never eliminate fear before a performance and you shouldn't. Instead, talk to yourself beforehand and build up your confidence/passion/willpower/intensity until it outweighs the fear you feel.

I have never really been frightened on stage. Actually I feel more frightened without the stage and especially if there is just one person listening and if this person knows a lot about music. I know you will think that's really weird, but it's true... So I'm weird.



Just concentrate, hear the beautiful music you will play... I you start playing after that, you won't even see the audience, it's just you and your music...

Eating bananas?? haha.

hi, people. im new here =D

Not sure if you're weird, but you've got a point there. If you play for multiple persons, they are likely to applaud even if you made mistakes. If you play for one, (s)he's likely to tell you what you did wrong or could have done better

I get afraid about three months before a recital (right about now). I'm performing Beethoven Sonatas 12, 13 and 14 in May and I'm petrified. (Because #12 and #13 are a mess and I can't see the way out of it.)

I'll get over it.

I guess I'm in the habit of being genuinely frightened far in advance (not in the "my house is on fire" sort of way but in the "oh my God, we're moving to another country next month" kind of way) so that by the time a recital comes around, I'm just too damned tired to care.

Oh my achin' back!

Ever notice how children playing don't seem to be phased by the audience? They are just doing it without any expectation weighing on them, even when a mistake is made, they back up a bar and repeat and keep going.

As adults, we feel that world is watching and judging, and by now we should be perfect, and if not, we have wasted ours and everyones time all these years. When we practice, we play invincibly, and always think what if they could see me now?

Its a challenge to put yourself back into a child-like mentality and have a care-free attitude about your playing for others. You have to really reach and look at the big picture of what's going on. Your piano playing for an audience is not the beginning nor the end of the world. You have to almost pretend you are just sitting down for a practice, be loose and relaxed, make a quick wink at the audience to create the connection, and they will feel relaxed with you. Even crack a quick comment if the occassion allows. This is a big ice breaker out of an otherwise stiff and overly proper profession.

I get nervous watching ice skaters, because i KNOW they will fall on a triple loop during the program, and I wonder what are they thinking now? I've blown it? They are all laughing? No. The crowd understands, they appreciate all the work and practice, and will still applaud the effort. Just keep smiling.

A few points I keep in mind for performances:

1. Expect to make a mistake - and forgive yourself for it! If you're thinking about the past mistake, you're going to make more!

2. The more you do it......

3. BREATH! Oxygen in your body can help control finger trembles and shakiness. Do a few stretches and deep breaths before going on.

4. In practicing - I try to be as much in my 'performance mindset' as possible; in performing - I try to be as much in my 'practice mindset' as possible! (In other words I try to play the same every time, rather practicing or performing!)

5. FOCUS on transmitting the beauty of the music to the audience - not presenting yourself.