Cure for nerves?

bridgetdunstable

Hi was wondering if anyone has any good tips for calming nerves. I am taking my first piano exam at the gand old age of 53 but get nervous just going for my normal lesson so dread to think what I will be like for the actual exam. Has anyone tried the hypnotherapy downloads advertised online?

onlyroz

My mum took her first piano exam in her fifites. The main thing that can throw you is playing on a different piano - if you're used to an upright but take the test on a grand then you can be surprised at how high the music stand is. So make sure you're comfortable with playing on a variety of different instruments (try the local churches - they usually have a grand piano stuck away somewhere and would probably let you have a play) - and practice playing in front of other people as much as you can. Apart from that, remember that the examiner is not a monster - they probably won't say that much to you, and will spend the exam sitting behind you scribbling on a bit of paper.

building_with_lego

I swear by Rescue Remedy in that sort of situation!
Good luck- it won't be as bad as you think...

pandora205

Imagine the examiner in her/his underwear! It's a fun way of reducing anxiety by distraction, and of course, humour is a good way to cope with stress.

RLH33

I always took Kalms, a herbal remedy available in Boots or supermarkets, when I had to take exams.

Plans_all_plans

I have heard from friends and colleagues that Bach's Rescue Remedy (available in Holland and Barrett type stores) is great for this sort of thing, but have never used it myself.

Becles

I suffer from panic attacks and nerves, but I've got a song that makes me feel confident and face up to my fear. I hum it to myself in my head and pay attention to the words and it takes my mind off feeling panicky.

I've just finished a degree with the OU and had to take several exams. I was always really wound up and nervous and doing my special song while I was waiting for the exam to begin, but once they said we could turn the paper over and I had to concentrate, I was fine!

Best of luck with the exam xx

belfastgirl23

another vote for rescue remedy!!

Triker

Relaxation cd's help me, I find Paul Mckenna's very useful, there are many out there though.

A simple technique is to get yourself in a relaxed state, then think about something that makes you extremely happy, a memory of an event in your life, really really concentrate on this picture, make it colourful and vibrant in your head, whilst doing this press your thumb and second finger together tightly. Do this a few times and when you get to your exam, press those fingers together to 'trigger' thoughts of happiness and relaxation.

Obviously don't do it during your exam else you won't be able to play.:rotfl:

ailuro2

Bach's rescue Remedy works - I used to take it before my martial arts gradings asnd it worked a treat - you can buy it in Boots they have a big Bach's section now - it's a little brown dropper topped bottle and it costs about £7. I've seen it in Sainsbury's before.

I don't know how 4 drops of flower essence manages to calm me, but it does. I carry a little bottle around and if I feel stressed I have a little drop of Bach's and am convinced it helps me.

Good Luck with your exam - my 12yo DD sits her piano grade ! in a few weeks too - it's not as easy as most people would assume, is it?

Plenty of practice and you'll be fine though.;)

spaghetti_monster

Hi,
I'm a musician and have gotten nervous for performances/exams/auditions my whole life. Here are some tips that might help:

- practise performing a lot (for example, in front of friends and family). Start with somebody less "threatening", eg. someone who lives with you and hears you practising all the time and progress to more "scary" people (eg. a friend with more musical knowledge who hasn't heard you play before).
You can also say "I'll play for you today at 4pm" - then you create the build up. You can even put some smart clothes on like you would for the exam. Treat the "audience/examiner" exactly as you would in the situation - ie. don't stop if you make a mistake or talk during the performance ("damn, that wasn't so good can I start again!"). You could even progress to giving a little house concert (maybe with someone else in the same situation?)

For me - I play regularly in public venues in small and large groups - but I'm really used to it so the sting of nerves is gone. In other situations (ie. I have to play alone in an audition) - everything is much less familiar, the nerves kick in. So that's why you have to practise that side of it too.

I guess that you practise scales/dexterity/co-ordination/rhythmic accuracy/articulation etc. You have to practise performing too. Many musicians practise all the difficult bits, but do not practise playing a piece from beginning to end and making a whole out of it. You have to think that you're telling a story, not just reading out the odd sentence - but really communicating everything as a consistent whole.

Another thing you could do is play your whole exam repertoire (all scales too) through without stopping - say three times in a row.
You need to make sure you practice stamina, focus, concentration and consistency.

Enjoy - OK, this is a cliche, but that's because it's true. You will (hopefully) be playing on a quality piano in a nice room. Even if not, you have a captive audience intently listening to you (like a previous poster said - with the best of intentions, wanting you to do you best and play well). This is a great opportunity, a gift. Also when you play to friends/family - this is a gift, so take your time, take your space. You can tell your "story" of the music without interruption

I also get nervous for lessons - well, not nervous exactly, but I worry what people are thinking, are they bored, do they think I'm rubbish, will they stop me in a minute and criticize?? Etc etc etc.
But this is another opportunity to take your time, don't rush. You're actually paying someone - who is probably also kind and supportive.

So try to find the enjoyment in performing and maybe the excitement and positive energy that's another side of the nervousness.

And good luck!