Performances inevitably come hand in hand with nerves, and with nerves inevitably come mistakes. Nerves can make or break a performance; they can either fuel your performance or cause it to fall apart. But you should not let nerves define you or the quality of your performance. As a clarinetist over the past seven years, having faced various auditions, competitions, and performances, I’ve learned through experience some key advice to help deal with nerves.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Dealing with nerves is something nearly every musician has experienced. Sometimes, no matter how much you try to calm yourself, nerves are just unavoidable. However, there are many things you can do to counteract nerves! Personally, the most effective strategy has been to simply practice a ton. While this might sound like an obvious answer, the fact is that the more you prepare, the more confidently you will play. Under pressure, muscle memory takes over. Practice helps you stand your ground. Through regular practice, you can ensure that the material becomes more familiar, which can reduce anxiety.
Critics vs. Supporters
A major lesson I learned throughout my years of auditions and competitions and performances is that the people judging your performance are not your enemy. They want to see you succeed; they want to hear great music! Think of the audience or judges as supporters instead of critics. They are eager to hear you play and share the experience with you. This shift in perspective can transform how you approach the performance!
Embracing Mistakes
One last piece of advice I have is that it’s important to keep in mind that mistakes are okay. Everybody makes mistakes. Making mistakes is a given in live performances, and it’s okay to fear them. Mistakes are part of the journey! But you should never let those mistakes get to you. In my experience, I have seen many musicians lose composure after a mistake, which derails their performance. So don’t let those mistakes get to your head! Embrace them. I challenge you to channel your nerves into your next performance.
Whether it’s your next audition, competition, or performance, I wish you the best of luck in dealing with nerves in the future!
