Hatem_Afandi
Oud Junkie
   
Posts: 414
Registered: 2-26-2005
Location: TX
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Mood: Learning
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Stage Fright, Panic, Public Performance Anxiety
Dear friends,
These are good articles about "Stge Fright" as they call it in the UK.
http://www.mandolinmagazine.com/articles/stagefright.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_2158652_deal-stage-fright.html
Although both articles do contain good tips, I personally believe the best way to overcome that is to join:
http://www.toastmasters.org/
I am sure that the professional members of this forum can share their own experiences during their beginings.
Best regards,
Hatem
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Marina
Oud Junkie
   
Posts: 615
Registered: 9-1-2005
Location: Bosnia
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Mood: Enthusiastic
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Whenever I am dead of fear - exham at the Academy - I have to admit that this is because I am NOT COMPLEATLY READY to play what they want me to.
But, when I know the music peaces (at friendly gigs) - no anxiety.
One of my teacher told me that I should be prepaired better for exam and I would be less nervous. I thought that he was rude to me - I wanted some
"recipy" to get a rid of exam anxiety - but, the truth is that player has to practice.
And of course to read "Effortless Mastery" of Kenny Werner.

http://www.amazon.com/Effortless-Mastery-Liberating-Master-Musician...
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Christian1095
Oud Junkie
   
Posts: 454
Registered: 4-29-2008
Location: North Carolina, USA
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Mood: No Mood
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Having gone from not playing any sort of musical instrument in 10 years to playing in front of large crowds (100-200 people a show) after 4 months of
playing the Oud, I can tell you that the best way to get over the fear or anxiety of playing live is to actually go do it. I think the articles above
give some good advice, but there is no substitute for the real thing.
Also, you can prep for this by playing for smaller groups. One thing I would recommend is to go out to a park and just play for the folks walking
by... You'll find yourself feeling anxious at first, but after a while, the stares won't bother you. Also, prior to the faire gig, I had played at a
street festival, a botanical garden, and a restauraunt.... Those smaller venues had helped me get the confidence to not freak out on stage in front
of a larger crowd.
I think you also have to adopt an attitude of "I may not ever play it perfect, but I can play it well" - At every show I guaranteed to have at least
one flub.... but I'm also pretty sure I'll rock at least a couple of the songs. Since a couple of our pieces involve a short taqsim for the dancers
before we go into the main song this part gives me the most anxiety.... I've got some stuff canned, but there are some shows where I feel awesome and
some where I just get through it... Regardless, everybody is clapping at the end.... so I just try to keep relaxed and take the shows one song at a
time...
Also, Marina is 100% right.. the better you know the music the less likely you are to mess it up.... But even then... Last week I completly forgot
how to drone in a song for the drummers.... I completely 'spaced out' and I figured if I could just get to the melody I'd be OK... I got the the
melody and all was well... the drummers looked at me weird and asked me what the hell happened after the song... but we just laughed and moved on...
Chris Walters
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