Comments on: Stage fright

By: mig

mig — Sun, 25 May 2003 21:10:36 +0000

Thanks everyone. Dark glasses are unfortunately not an option, Joeri, as that would appear to ostentatious since it’s at night and classical music, although I will definitely consider that if I ever get a heavy-metal cello combo organized, which I would call “Apocaplectica” of course. Eye-closing also bad idea since I don’t have the piece entirely memorized yet.

LIA, I will try to become one with my cello. I even polished it yesterday.

Allan, letting the notes be my audience I don’t think will work; the audience will be too obviously *there* for me to ignore them entirely.

Chris, I’m not being modest. After 2 years, I can play simple pieces okay (i.e. I’m a hell of a lot better than last year). I’m just sort of freaking out stagefright-wise is all. I’m hoping, by igniting the fright early, it will burn itself out by the time of the recital and I’ll be okay. Unfortunately I don’t really have any way to record the recital nor myself at home, or I would post something.

Sarah, taking my glasses off isn’t an option for me, since I only need them for reading. The music stand is far enough away for me to read the music without glasses, and I can see the audience perfectly. Maybe if I left my glasses on… the audience would be blurry… must think about that…

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sat, 24 May 2003 22:18:55 +0000

I when I was young, I’d take my glasses off — I wouldn’t be able to see as far as the audience. Now, of course, if I took my contacts out, I also wouldn’t be able to see as far as my hands, so that’s not so much an option anymore.

I feel for you, but I know you’ll do great.

And yeah, that anonymous creative pursuit with feedback sounds great. If only…..

By: chris

chris — Sat, 24 May 2003 12:27:30 +0000

Wish we could hear a recording of your performance… I bet you’re just being waaay too modest.

By: allan

allan — Sat, 24 May 2003 09:43:14 +0000

let the notes be your audience, not the people
will that actually help? prolly not, since i don’t know a lick of music, so my advice is prolly moot

By: LIA

LIA — Fri, 23 May 2003 19:23:33 +0000

Well see, you’re actually lucky. You will be playing an instrument and won’t actually be looking at anyone. Just concentrate entirely on the music and on feeling it as you play it. There will be no audience if you can become one with your cello and your fellow recorder players during the performance.

Besides, there is always the chance you may just be so blinded by the lighting that you won’t be able to see the audience anyway.

If not, become one with your cello!

By: joeri

joeri — Fri, 23 May 2003 14:53:57 +0000

Just close your eyes or wear dark sunglasses, that does it for me when I don’t want to look the audience in the eyes.