Stage Fright for Pianists: How to Enjoy Performing
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How to Build Confidence Playing Piano in Front of Others
If you restart, freeze, or shake when you play for others, you’re not broken. Your practice method just isn’t performance proof yet. Here are 3 tools that help intermediate pianists stay steady under pressure.
I can still remember the dread of piano recitals as a child. Unable to sleep the night before, hoping for a rainstorm or other disaster that would cancel my impending performance. I’d wake up the next day, get dressed up, play my music perfectly for my family before heading out and then have massive memory flops on stage. I distinctly recall one recital when my helpless teacher stood behind me, giving me cues because I just couldn’t cope. Yikes!
Fast forward to today, I’m one of Charlottesville Virginia’s top lounge pianists. You practically have to pry me off stage today. Performing is my passion. I love it. I love my audience, I love the feeling of sharing beautiful music and the joy of studying my craft.
What happened to create confidence playing piano on stage? Getting a B.A. in Music was helpful but even after college, my routine needed refinement. So for the past several years I’ve dedicated myself to studying pedagogy and practice techniques. I’m going to share the top three actions and mindset shifts that helped to build my confidence.
Top 3 Piano Stage Fright Tips
Strengthen keyboard topography navigation and theory skills. Understanding the layout of the piano and music theory accompany good fingering and repetition. Relying solely on muscle memory is abstract and often one dimensional. Doing a harmonic analysis gives a quantifiable anchor that solidifies the learning process.
Use lead sheets and music when possible. Life doesn’t have to be difficult. I feel much more at ease when I have music in front of me. If the opportunity allows music, I use it without shaming myself for not memorizing everything.
Perform in low stakes environments before paid or important shows. Playing new music in front of family or a nursing home is a great way to break the ice on a new routine. I always feel more confident when I play at a low stakes venue before a show. In fact, I’ve performed at over 30 nursing homes across seven states. It has become a pastime that gives back to the community, sometimes makes me extra money and helps me grow as a musician.
My name is Liz Marion. I help intermediate pianists finish pieces and feel confident performing by giving them a simple system to deeply understand any piece. I teach online and in person in Charlottesville VA and surrounding areas.
Want to know exactly what to change in your practice this week?
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I’ll listen to how you practice, identify what’s slowing your progress, and give you one to two specific changes to make this week. I can usually get you a time within 24 hours.
FAQ
How do I stop restarting when I make a mistake while playing piano?
Make time to practice playing through mistakes. This is the skill of recovery. You can prevent restarting by playing measures in reverse, not always starting at the very beginning and building confidence with every part of the song or piece you are learning. Try playing at random spots. Pick arbitrary measures and play them.
What should I do right before a piano performance to calm nerves?
Early on it is better to learn to play through nerves than to try to calm them. Eventually the more you perform and the more you practice, your confidence will grow. But initially, you may be nervous. Learning to play through that will serve you.
Why do I get shaky hands when I play piano for others and how do I fix it?
If you feel nauseas or shaky before performing make sure you have enough hydration and protein in your body. Be sure to get plenty of rest and practice well. You can fix shaky hands with proper nutrition before playing, deep breathing and diligent preparation. Sometimes telling yourself that it is not a big deal helps. Playing mind games with yourself or focusing on a specific goal works for me. My intention for performance is to be “perfectly present”. This helps to ground me.
