I was completely caught off guard last weekend when I could barely perform the first movement of a quartet due to a shaky bow arm. Nothing like this has happened to me in at least 20 years! Why now?

I tried something new.

As a person who is currently practicing public speaking through Toastmasters, and as a person who has performed concerts most of her life - I assumed that I could easily blend the two together...Wrong!!!

I opened our concert by talking to the audience with no fear at all. I found it enjoyable. When I sat down and started to play there was something coursing through my veins that usually isn't there when I play the violin! I was unable to control my bow! While I was surprised - I was not alarmed. I knew just what to do. I had to let it run it's course. I did my best to play and mentally not get upset. By the 2nd movement whatever was flying through my bloodstream had dissipated enough that I could get back to my usual performance mode.

What a wake up call. Performing comfortably is something that I've taken for granted. This experience was a reminder of how nerve wracking performing can be! What steps have I done in the past that have led to so many successful years of performing comfortably?

Music's Role
Practice & Preparation
Physical Release
Performing Mindset

Music's Role
The role of music in my life is "sharing". In order for performers to get into their "zone" they should know their overall umbrella concept for music in their life. For some people they feel they are the vehicle to bring a composers written notation to life. For some it's religious connection. Whatever it is to you - that is what needs to be foremost in your mind while performing.

A student of mine is taking an audition to get a music scholarship at a college. I said "So you are going to audition for a music scholarship?" She said "Yes!" I said "No! That is not the right mindset for performing!" "You are going to present that you have chosen music as a life path. Schooling is an integral part of that path. It will deepen your core beliefs as to why you play music. That is why you are taking an audition." Can you see that her playing will shift from "I hope they give me money" to "I want them to recognize how important music is to me"?

Practice & Preparation
To feel completely infallible - you have to practice twice as much as you probably think you need to! For me it shows up in shifting. At home those shifts can be taken for granted. In public... So I know to spend extra time on shifts. Notice your tendencies and plan to practice accordingly.

Physical Release
I know we live in comfortable homes and we don't have to hunt for our food. But our bodies still posess the "fight or flight" response. If your mind perceives a threatening situation your body will react. It's important to have a physical release prior to performing. For some it's a swim, walk or jog. For me it's stretching out the hamstrings and achilles tendon - literally the places that we tense up to run away from a situation. Incorporating this can really relax you before a performance.

Performing Mindset
Be in the moment, ignore side thoughts, let physical stuff run it's course. Keep the role of music in your life the most important thought. It's your "performer's zone" as well as your "safe zone". Be the music! It's not about you, it's about how you serve the music.

What steps did I leave out at my performance last week?
Practice & Preparation
While I rehearsed the music I was performing - I never practiced the speaking part. I also never practiced speaking and then playing with the group.

Physical Release
I completely forgot to do my usual routine of stretches. A walk would have been helpful too since we had an hour drive to the concert.

How did I deal with the situation?
Music's Role & Performing Mindset
I zeroed in on "sharing the music" and certainly "let what was in my blood run it's course." Mentally I was distracted and didn't perform my most heartfelt performance. However, I could rely on the violin practicing I had done and kept bringing my mind back to the music. Believe it or not - mentally I never really felt nervous. Just like I had to deal with a situation. I left the "judge" out of the mental conversation and calmly kept playing.

Let all your hard work and heartfelt feelings about performing music come out! Consider your main reason for performing. Practice to be invincible! Exercise & stretch. When in performance - focus on your main purpose, let other thoughts and sensations go! Let your uniqueness shine!

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