Method of Successive Approximations

by Monica
(Lexington, KY)

The main suggestion I would have to add to your list of tips about performance anxiety is to adopt what clinicians call the "method of successive approximations," which simply means to get performance experience in small, gradual steps. Rather than having your first ever public playing experience be in a formal recital in a formal hall in front of an audience of 200 people, start off small. Play a piece completely by yourself imagining an audience is sitting right there. Or line up a row of stuffed animals and pretend they're your audience. (You'd be surprised at how anxious you start feeling just doing that... help!). Then maybe play a piece while a family member is sitting in an other room. Then have the family member sit IN the same room. Next invite a more casual acquaintance to come listen to you. Go to a nearby hotel lobby or piano store and play your piece there, in a setting where people aren't sitting nearby staring at you. etc. etc.

In short, the more experience you have playing in front of, or for, other people in low-stress settings, the easier the big recital day will be.