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stressy situations

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Started by marja (sinner) in Chit-Chat

next Tuesday I have to take my piano exam. Normally I can cope very well with stress, but for this it’s different. The problem is, my hands and fingers start to shake when I’m a bit stressed.

When you play the paino, this is not a good thing (obviously :)).

Last year my fingers were shaking like hell, I couldn’t even properly play a simple do scale.

Can anybody give me some tips to destress a bit right before the examen (stress usualy kicks in 2 minutes before playing), and especially to stop the shaking.

Thanks

Posted on Thu, 3 June 2004 at 08:25

You’re viewing replies 1–30 of 40 by 15 people

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#1

motherh666 wrote:

Whiskey

Posted on Thu, 3 June 2004 at 08:36

#2

marja (sinner) wrote:

I don’t think that’s an option because I still have to be able to read the notes :)

Posted on Thu, 3 June 2004 at 08:37

#3

tatty seaside town wrote:

concentrate on your breathing - just breath normal but be aware of the breathing itself

try to sit down and relax

Posted on Thu, 3 June 2004 at 08:47

#4

allroy wrote:

First of all be assured you’re well prepared to manage the task ahead, i.e. feel confident, there’s no need to be stressed.
Then I usually tried to empty my head right before the task, be it a mental (e.g. an exam) or physical task (e.g. an important match). Think of something else, read a book, etc.
As you’re well prepared, you don’t have to focus on the test all the time.

This is what I always found useful, though everyone’s different.
Good luck, Tori Amos. :)

Posted on Thu, 3 June 2004 at 09:13

#5

White Psycho wrote:

have a wank

Posted on Thu, 3 June 2004 at 10:44

#6

allroy wrote:

Don’t you get crippled fingers from that? Too bad for a piano player. :eek:

Posted on Thu, 3 June 2004 at 10:57

#7

Misanthropologist (d) wrote:

The shaking is nervous energy that needs to be released somehow. So, um, yeah, what White Psycho said.

Posted on Thu, 3 June 2004 at 11:02

#8

hoochalobster (Sarah) Super Moderator wrote:

White Psycho wrote:

have a wank

Professor ;)

Posted on Thu, 3 June 2004 at 11:24

#9

marja (sinner) wrote:

like I said before, the shaking kicks in about 2 minutes before playing. I’m allready in the room by then. I don’t think my piano teacher will appreciate this :)

and even more important, I’m a girl, it’s quite difficult for us to have a wank ;) or didn’t you know that :)

Posted on Thu, 3 June 2004 at 11:34

#10

motherh666 wrote:

Then maybe he ‘will’ appreciate it and let you pass without having to sit the test. Win win situation there.

Posted on Thu, 3 June 2004 at 11:39

#11

Misanthropologist (d) wrote:

I refer you to the subject of my friend Jenny’s Masters dissertation:

(She took some work experience at one of the national papers, and on first day had to introduce herself.

her: ‘Um, hi, I’m Jenny.’
bossman (in a big room of people): ‘No no no, we’re not going to let you get away with that: introduce yourself properly’
her: ’ fine, okay, hi, my name is Jenny, i mastered in Gender studies, and my dissertation was on female masturbation. Do you have any questions?’
*silence*
;)

Posted on Thu, 3 June 2004 at 11:42

#12

Flo wrote:

I am always nervous and shaky before an exam. Just be sure you know the part you have to play by heart and try to relax. Try to see it from the positive site, it is good to perform “live”, people want you to do well!

What is the worst thing that can happen? You are not going to be shot or anything when you play a wrong note.

Can you bring along a friend or someone who can support you?

Try to enjoy it while you play, and breathe!

Posted on Thu, 3 June 2004 at 12:29

#13

RobbyVDH wrote:

Believe in yourself and tell yourself that you’ll do just fine… not always easy I know but still… worth a try ;)

Posted on Thu, 3 June 2004 at 18:02

#14

tatty seaside town wrote:

Misanthropologist wrote:

I refer you to the subject of my friend Jenny’s Masters dissertation:

(She took some work experience at one of the national papers, and on first day had to introduce herself.

her: ‘Um, hi, I’m Jenny.’
bossman (in a big room of people): ‘No no no, we’re not going to let you get away with that: introduce yourself properly’
her: ’ fine, okay, hi, my name is Jenny, i mastered in Gender studies, and my dissertation was on female masturbation. Do you have any questions?’
*silence*
;)

Thats an really impressive story :)
LIKE IT ALOT *g*

Interessting women!
Feminstic?

Posted on Thu, 3 June 2004 at 18:09

#15

Bad Karma wrote:

Good luck with your exam!!:)

What piece of music are you going to play for your exam?

Posted on Thu, 3 June 2004 at 18:09

#16

Misanthropologist (d) wrote:

tatty seaside town wrote:

Thats an really impressive story :)
LIKE IT ALOT *g*

Interessting women!
Feminstic?

:D Yeah I like it too! ;) She’s very cool. I wouldn’t say she was a feminist, no. Just really openminded with no bullshit. A damn fine singer, too.

Posted on Thu, 3 June 2004 at 19:54

#17

3ddo-on-the-balcony (eddo) wrote:

Marja, I once assisted (playing bass) a friend of mine who was doing an exam similar to yours. He told the examinators that he was nervous and asked them to allow him to play a few minutes before starting the actual exam. They agreed and he passed.

Good luck!

Posted on Thu, 3 June 2004 at 20:54

#18

Reverend Savage? wrote:

Chin up. How bad can it get?

I once sat in on a friend’s final cello performance exam for her degree.

She had to play a piece from memory. About 10 seconds in she stopped because she realised she’d started on the wrong note and was effectively playing the piece in the wrong key.

She explained her error and started again. She got a first.

You might want to try a book called ‘the inner game of music’- it’s all about how nerves can get in the way of your performance and the techniques you can use to overcome this. I forget the name of the author but I can find the book and post the name here if you’re interested?

good luck. :)

Posted on Thu, 3 June 2004 at 21:03

#19

White Psycho wrote:

marja wrote:

and even more important, I’m a girl, it’s quite difficult for us to have a wank ;) or didn’t you know that :)

women wank as well, the method is merely different. This idea that female masturbation doesn’t exist is stupid. On ChristianAnswers.net (an absolutely hilarious website) there is a section on masturbation but not for women. My girlfriend took exception to this and sent them an email demanding why ;)

Posted on Thu, 3 June 2004 at 22:52

#20

tatty seaside town wrote:

Does this thread turned out to be about masturbation?

Its not my fault this time!

Actually stressy situation and masturbation is quite related to each other often? Don´t you think?
Interessting *g*

Women do it actually … but they do pretend more that they don´t need it … which is complete bullshit.
I think one person out of hundred doesn´t do it.
(There are really people who don´t find that interessting … yeah i know sexual statistics *g* )

women do it perhaps not that often! but they do it …

AND I LIKE IT, WHEN THEY DO SO *g*

Posted on Fri, 4 June 2004 at 01:44

#21

marja (sinner) wrote:

@white psycho: English is not my mothertongue, so when I said that it’s quite difficult for a girl to have a wank, I meant we have nothing to pull on, ok. I never pretended girls don’t masturbate, because we do. Not me offcourse, I don’t need it ;)

@reverend savage?: Thanks for the tip on the book. I will look it up on the internet.

@bad karma: I’m only in the second year, so the pieces I have to play are not that difficult. I have to do one piece by Bach, menuet 11 from that songbook for Magdalena (or something like that), than a study by duvernoy. Those two pieces from memory. Two scales (I can choose which) and to end it all, the beautiful raisins and almonds.

Posted on Fri, 4 June 2004 at 07:21

#22

Bad Karma wrote:

How many hours a week do you practice marja?

Posted on Fri, 4 June 2004 at 13:53

#23

motherh666 wrote:

hehehe. You talking about flicking again?

Posted on Fri, 4 June 2004 at 14:11

#24

Bad Karma wrote:

Haha well i mean’t practicing the piano.

Posted on Fri, 4 June 2004 at 14:15

#25

motherh666 wrote:

Oh aye!

Posted on Fri, 4 June 2004 at 14:19

#26

Misanthropologist (d) wrote:

lol :D The all-purpose stress-relief thread.

Posted on Fri, 4 June 2004 at 14:34

#27

marja (sinner) wrote:

@ bad karma: Hard to say. I try to play as much as I can, but I don’t have time to play every day. And when I play it’s about half an hour, maybe more, depends on what I have to learn for next lesson.

Posted on Mon, 7 June 2004 at 11:29

#28

motherh666 wrote:

:D

Posted on Mon, 7 June 2004 at 11:39

#29

marja (sinner) wrote:

I was referring to playing the piano, mother

But I can understand you’re reaction :D

Posted on Mon, 7 June 2004 at 11:50

#30

Misanthropologist (d) wrote:

motherh666 wrote:

:D

Wipe that smile off your face, young man.

Posted on Mon, 7 June 2004 at 11:55

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