How I Overcame My Fear of Performing Music in Public Instantly

For a long time, I had a fear of performing music in public. I enjoyed playing, and I enjoyed playing for other people. But, there was often fear when I was performing. Fear of having a memory slip. Fear of the music being played badly. Fear of my fingers not doing what I wanted them to do.

But then, when I was performing in music school, I had an experience that changed this forever. My fear subsided and I could enjoy playing music freely again.

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[sammyy]

1:19-1:45 this is me!!!!😭 i felt bad after performing for being out of tempo and missing a few notes. ughh it hurts knowing that i have fully committed the sheet music to my memory as best as i can. after the performance, i sat on the back stage for a few minutes reflecting. i gathered myself and face my friends. i was shocked to see happy faces and they were looking for me for a while now. they congratulated me for a good performance. i kept asking, 'are my mistakes that obvious? is the performance good?' but they said it was very good. i had a sign of relief after seeing them enjoy the show.🙂

[PianoMatronNeeNee]

Thank you so much for this ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤. Appreciate you sharing your story 👍👍👍

[kimjihye]

Omg...I've been struggling with stage fright since I was 12.I tried meditation, medicine to press down blood pressure, watching many advice videos, books.. but your video is the best. You saved my life!!

[vic]

Thank you for sharing your story. I just came across your channel. I'm 66 and have been taking lessons for almost 4 years. I have a great teacher who is very encouraging. Last spring, I decided to play in our recital. I practiced Handel's Passaglia until I had it memorized and felt pretty confidant about it. When it was my turn, I went up to the piano, got my bearings, then made the biggest mistake I could...I looked out at the audience. There were maybe 70 or 80 people there, and quite a few were my family, but immediately I tensed-up, and my right hand started shaking uncontrollably! Not just a little shake, but it was like I was shooting a herd of flies. I took a deep breath, and began. It started OK, but in the middle my hand acted like it had a mind of it's own. I thought it sounded terrible, but I never broke stride. I finished alright, but couldn't get off that stage fast enough. Even though I was totally humiliated, people came up to me afterwards and told me how great it sounded. I couldn't believe it. My teacher said, as long as you keep the rhythm, most people won't notice wrong notes. I guess he was right. I might try it again in the recital next spring... we shall see. I appreciate you sharing your story, as I could really relate. I'll go into the next one with a better attitude for sure.

[petergroverd]

You have just lit a light bulb for me as I am practicing for an appearance in a concert in Feb.
You are right that the people who come to see you want to share your success and forgive any mistakes.

[saracdfullerton]

Great message! I needed to hear this. Thank you 🙏 🎹

[Rose-krss]

i just wanna say thankkk you so much, you've been so real n honest sharing your story in its raw genuine form, something we all piano players experience and still dont realize it

[heidivanooijen-blezer]

Thank you for this great insight. I've never thought about it this way. You've helped me a lot! 😅

[niwr]

Thank u!! Thank u!! The takeaway is exactly what I needed to hear as I start playing in SSPS’s recitals!!! Last inperson recital, I got so nervous I could barely breathe but as u pointed out, the audience members were there to share in our music and really didn’t care that I had made mistakes. Many people I spoke w after had very kind things to say. I walked away from the recital able to positively reframe my thoughts on my performance. Thanks for sharing ur story!!

[Kris-clnl]

Thank you, my fear is all my friends and family know I play a few instruments and always want to hear me play. I get worried they will be disappointed because there are so many amazing amateur artists accessible on social media now and I don’t meet up to that. So before recording or sending a video I’d make sure it was perfect but when I play them back I still hear all the mistakes or areas for improvement. And you’re right most people who know me tell me it’s great even thou they don’t get thousands of views. I love rewatching my videos because I know the effort it took in learning that.

I also know that non musicians are impressed by basic skills lol

[Emmi]

You are helping me so much!! I have a competition tomorrow and I have a solo, I’m terrified and this helped and are helping me so much!!! TYSM

[haoyangwu]

Thank you! But one questions please. If I make mistake in a concert which is free then is not that bad. But when I make mistake in a concert which the audience paid for, then there is a problem. How can deal with this please? I mean people paid money for the concert, of course they are going to expect a perfect concert. If I make a mistake, someone is kind and let it slide, but someone will take this seriously and even be furious with the performer and demand to have the refund. And he or she has every right to do so. Because people work hard for their money.

[JohnMarcell]

Fuck man i cut my teeth tonight for the first time, trying not to blow my brains out.

[bavariasuhl]

talk to damn much - get to the point already