You know the feeling, when your hands get clammy, your fingers start shaking, and the idea of playing piano well for others seems impossible. For most beginners especially, the idea of performing can be frightening. Not many of us enjoy all eyes and ears focused on us, judging us, critiquing our playing…or at least that’s what our fears taunt us with.
The art of performing is just that, an art. How do we get better at it? Here are 5 helpful tips:
1. Play in front of others whenever possible
From the very start, as you are learning simple arrangements on the piano, take every opportunity to share your music with others. Whether it’s family at home, or friends visiting, invite others to the piano to hear you play. It might feel scary at first and, sure, mistakes will probably happen. But friends and family are extremely forgiving and will be impressed by your courage and the progress you are making. The more you play in front of others the more comfortable you will become, so begin as soon as you can!
2. Focus on emotion
If you’re having a hard time shedding self-consciousness, shift your attention to the emotion of the music. If it’s a song with lyrics, try focusing on the meaning of the words. Or concentrate on the beautiful melody, or chord progression – whatever moves you most. It’s amazing how when we focus on the overall mood of a piece, and connect with it, we stop worrying about the technicalities, and about our ourselves.
3. Stay relaxed and don’t hold your breath
Anxiety can cause us to hold our breath during a performance, which only compounds our nervousness. Use your breath to slow down your heart rate and relax into your playing. Otherwise, your pulse will not only accelerate but also the tempo at which you’re playing. Maintain control by finding choice moments to “relax into” your playing. Often these include passages that you know especially well and are most comfortable with.
4. Be prepared ahead of time
If you’ve put in plenty of practice, and, better yet, memorized the piece, then you can rely on muscle memory to help carry you through. As you approach performance time, do some relaxation exercises, such as take a walk, stretch or do yoga, or read a book. Listening to recordings of music that inspire you can also help ease you into the right state of mind and get you excited about making music. And, of course, be sure to warm-up your fingers with scales, arpeggios, or excerpts of other pieces you know and love.
5. Have fun and think positively
Visualize yourself performing well. Boost your confidence with positive thoughts, such as, “I’m ready for this and I’m going to play well.” Enjoy the process, not expecting perfection but rather focusing on musical expression and the joy of making music.