I am turning to you, who are much more experienced than I am, to present a problem that has been accompanying me for some time and that I would like to deal with once and for all! I think it happens to all of us, or has happened, to make mistakes. There can be many reasons for the error and, first and foremost, I believe there is a lack of deep and accurate study. I am a pianist who dedicates on average 4 hours of study per day, and when I am alone at home, in front of my piano, I manage to perform the pieces I play without errors. The problem arises when I have to play in public or during an exam. I always make mistakes, even gross ones, undermining months of study and sacrifice! The sensation I have when playing is as if my hands were moving on their own across the keyboard and I was losing control of the performance. I feel like a spectator in a play, unable to intervene. I also perceive the sound differently. This situation worries me quite a bit because, as my studies progress, I need confidence and control over my performance. Honestly, the first thing I thought was that it is a problem of concentration. Do any of you have this same problem? Is there any suggestion? Thank you
Based on what you are telling me, the root problem seems to be one of emotion rather than concentration. There are some breathing exercises to do before a performance to slow down the heart rate and lower the adrenaline. The first few minutes are critical for everyone, but afterwards, you must have the ability to detach yourself from the context so that it is just you, the piano, and the music. Try playing repeatedly in front of friends and relatives. You need to break the ice and become familiar with an audience. The spirit of a concert should be to let your musical ideas be heard, and there is no reason to be nervous about the audience; only when you make this idea your own will you understand that the emotion must be shifted into the music.
Wise and just words!!!! I join Simone's beautiful considerations. If I may suggest a text: Renate Klopperl - Mental training for the musician - Ed. Curci
In my past experience as a liturgical organist (pieces not particularly difficult from the Italian/French/German 500/600/700s) I sometimes had the same problems that you described so well. Because of emotion, I would make mistakes even in pieces that were technically well below my abilities.
I fully agree with Simone's advice.
I will only add one small thing (a good one). One thing that helped me a lot was, in some cases, when I fell so much in love with the piece while playing that my main thought was that everyone could hear how beautiful it was, rather than how good I was. it's just a little thing... but it's all I can say. bye
To overcome reality, you must face it. The fear that arises within you before an exam performance has objective origins: your unconscious is suggesting that you will have to perform in a context completely different from the usual one: sound, dynamics, environmental responses, the presence of an audience judging in real time—in other words, a true jungle to cross.
Breath control, relaxation exercises, autogenic training, these are fine, but to solve the problem at its root, it would be enough to do (when possible) what great pianists do: try out the instrument for a few moments before the concert.
Thank you all for the extremely valuable suggestions, including those found in the linked old discussions. It consoles me to know that I am not the only one on this face of the earth having this little "problem". I will certainly buy the very interesting book suggested by pianoexpert. In reality, I admit that I use the recorder very little, and I believe that this simple thing will most likely help me quite a bit! Thanks again!
in my opinion it's just a matter of practice. if you start young it becomes a habit and you don't even notice it anymore. I have the same problem, I've never done it and when I have to take an exam I give 20% of what I do when I play alone. and it makes me incredibly angry... the other thing is that you have to study 1000 times to get 100% during an exam. confidence is definitely a fundamental thing. and then as you say, you have to detach yourself and not care about who is listening to you. which is no small feat. maybe a bit of yoga and autogenic training could help. but I don't know....it's a matter of character. I try with the camera mounted and even with that I feel like I'm in public... it helps me a little....
