The Score Magazine - Archive April 2015 issue! | Page 37

Ananya Ashok
Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse
One thing that is paramount when getting ready for a performance is preparation. It seems
straightforward, but believe it or not one of the primary causes of stage fright is lack of or
ineffective preparation. Sometimes you may know the overall piece, but there might be
that one little spot where you’re slightly unsure. During practice, it won’t seem like a big
deal and you may even brush it off saying, ‘Ah, that’s all right. It’ll come on stage.’ Sadly, it
won’t. Remember the golden rule, “100% at home, 50% on stage”. Do not leave anything to
chance and certainly don’t skip out on parts that you’re only semi sure of. It’ll hit you just
as you’re about to go on stage and can create a mental torture within you that will stream
across your face during the entire performance.
They’re Just People
Sometimes, it’s the damned audience. Oh wait, those are the folks that are coming to hear
you! When it comes time to show your work to a big group of people, it is a scary ordeal for
some. And no matter how many people tell you to ‘pretend everyone in the audience is naked’
you still can’t get over the fact that you’ll be performing in front of a bunch of people. If this
scenario applies to you, consider approaching this fear with a sense of pragmatism. People
come to listen to good music. If they like you, then great! If they don’t, then they can certainly
leave! You have no control over the mindset or taste of your audience. You do, however have
control of your art and where you wish to take it. Focus on that. It makes more sense to invest
your energy in having fun with what you do, than to worry about who may be watching you.
You are your worst critic and NOBODY else.
Picking up from the previous point, you shouldn’t be concerned with what others may think of you.
If you are a self-aware person, then you will most definitely have an idea of where you stand with
relation to your art. You truly are your worst critic and what everyone else thinks is nothing but a
mere reflection of his/her own reality.
Focus on you and your instrument.
Another type of stage fright deals with a person focusing on the outside world instead of focusing
on themselves and their instrument. When you are alone, you have the best ideas because it’s you
and your instrument. You aren’t concerned with any other thoughts. Realistically, it shouldn’t be
any different on stage. When you sit on stage, realize that although watchful eyes surround you, at
the end of the day it is you and your instrument that is the focus for them. Therefore, should it not
be the center of focus for you as well? This point takes experience to understand, but with every
performance, strive to focus inward versus outward.
If and When you mess up, forgive yourself.
Immediately.
Another issue with performers with stage fright is what ensues when you slip up on stage. You’re
scared, and in that trembling fear, you stumble. Yes, you shouldn’t have. Obviously. But, it’s done!
Move on and instead of beating yourself up mentally and screwing the rest of your routine, make
a mental note to stay focused. If that doesn’t make sense, imagine this scenario. You’re walking on
the street. You trip over a rock and fall down. Do you just stay down and say to yourself, “Oh no! I
stumbled on a rock! I can never walk properly again!” I think not. What you will do is get up, brush
yourself off, and be more watchful of the road as you continue walking. Mess-ups on stage need to be
approached with the same sense of practicality. And when I say forgive yourself, I don’t mean, go
easy on yourself. I mean accept your mistake and make a mental note to NOT make the same mistake
again.
It’s your stage and you OWN it.
At the end of the day, remember one thing. You have a WHOLE stage to
yourself for a given period of time. You can literally do whatever the
hell you want. Instead of feeling the pressure of being on a stage,
get excited! You have an entire space to YOURSELF for a good
amount of time. You are the star of your show and you call the
shots. The End.
The
Score Magazine
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