bugle75

hellooo manny;do you still feel concert anxiety?what can ı do when ı feel this emotion?sevgiler....

Manny Laureano

Sevgilim Begum...

The important thing is to have a few minutes alone with yourself before the concert where you can close your eyes and hear every solo you are going to play. When you go on to stage, open the music and hear every solo or part that you have to play in your head. This time is for you, no one else.

People are going to think I am making a joke with this next comment but I'm not. As you count your measures, waiting to enter, smile. Yes, smile. Not a big smile but a small one for yourself even if you don't feel like it, just go ahead and do it. Keep breathing very full breaths while you do this.

Smile, count your rests, and breathe deeply. really fill your lungs.

You'll be more relaxed and focused on the music, I promise.

Memnuniyetle, sevgiler,

ML

gzent

...and I thought you guys were just telling jokes back there....

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bugle75

Dear Manny;to smile is very interesting.I think it is about ''When you manage your body, your emotions watch it''.isn't it?I will practice your advices carefully..thank you..en iyi dileklerimle..regards..

Vulgano Brother

I love that part about smiling, and it does work! We started doing this as a group during a tour in Chile -- scanning the audience, establishing eye contact and smiling at random people in the audience (ok, maybe not so random, because all said and done I did smile at a high percentage of good looking women).

Why it works I don't know, but do have a few speculations:

First of all, concentrating on the audience rather than me, me, me and my playing does take away anxiety, so I can play better.

Secondly, and more importantly, it helps to establish what is known as synergy, a fancy word that describes what happens when the whole experience is beyond the sum of the parts.

If we, as players, can establish rapport, or a relationship with the audience, they will establish rapport with us, and together we can enjoy the music. By enjoying the music together, the music gets better, the relationship improves leading to more of the same, and a great experience.

If we can do this and get paid for it, then:

WOW!

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FreshBrewed

I've never done the smile thing but think I will try it when I play a concert later this month.

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Mike
Eclipse MHY Bell
1949 Olds Ambassador

Listening has nothing to do with moving your mouth!

gzent

Attitude is everything.

When I'm playing with the rock band its a non-stop party. People are dancing, having fun and the good vibes help me to relax and just play - not get sidetracked overthinking each note.

My attitude is, so what if I crack a note here and there? If you are not having fun playing then why do it? If you watch Manny you will notice that he is a happy and relaxed - no matter what he seems to be playing he is having a good time.

That 'positive energy' does make you play better, no matter what genre you are playing.

my 2c,

GZ

__________________
Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions
Golden living dreams of visions
Mystic crystal revalation
And the mind's true liberation

trumpet520

i keep trying to not make a big deal out of messin up here and there and its still not helping my anxiety just playing my solo part at rehearsel./ i will have to try the smiling thing

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Sam...

gzent

Sam,

If it continues, don't just 'accept that that's the way you are'. There are numerous ways to successfully overcome anxiety; and numerous methods for eliminating anxiety. Don't let it prevent you from living your dreams.

GZ

__________________
Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions
Golden living dreams of visions
Mystic crystal revalation
And the mind's true liberation

tpter1

I tried smiling ion a practice session today. I'm going to try it next week. I felt relaxed. It was an amazing thing.

Sam, like Greg said, there are many, many ways to deal with performance anxiety. Yoga, breathing excercises, meditation are a few. The more you perform, the more ways you have of dealing with it. The key is to deal with it, not battle it. Playing is alot like shooting a basketball. Once the ball is in the air, there's nothing you can do about it.

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"Roses have thorns; shining waters mud. Clouds and eclipses stain the moon and the sun; and history reeks of the wrongs we have done. After today, after today, consider me gone."- Sting