Taking a quick break from the tips for this...

I figured I'd lighten the mood with the "easing your nerves" tips for a day. They will continue in the near future though.  Definitely by the time this weekend is over, they will come back on track. 

A student of mine actually sent me this link. I loved it!!!!! Of course he's an amazing player...and extremely on "que"...but I just can't help but point out the fact that he has way too much time on his hands. Maybe I'm a bit jealous, but come on? Do you have any idea how long it would take to remember each little sound for whatever Mario gets himself into. On the other hand...he could've very well grew up playing lots of video games (in between practice his violin) so memorizing the sounds wasn't so hard. It requires a lot of detail and quick thinking,  so I definitely respect his talent and punctuality. 

I also like how this video exposes the fact that music is everywhere, and a lot of times we don't even really notice that!

It also shows that you can have fun with your instrument...it doesn't have to be so serious all the time. After all, at the end of the day...it's music.  Music is a pleasure, and sometimes we can all get so caught up in the exercises and strict routines that we forget about that.  Notice I said "we," because it's myself included!  

Whoever this guy is, i thoroughly enjoyed this video and I hope you do too! Get your popcorn out and have fun!!!


 Til next time
~Givi Girl

Easing your nerves before a recital-Tip #7

Heyyyy from sweet and loyal readers!!

Got three new students this week, and that is so exciting!!!!!! I know I've said this before, but I just love getting new students.  They all have so much potential...but then again, EVERYONE has potential if they apply themselves. New students are also so sweet and enthusiastic. I hope their novelty NEVER runs out!  LoL!!!

As far as my weekend goes...going to good ol' Weirton, West Virginia tomorrow to see my eight students there. Then, I'm teaching a quick lesson back home (Pittsburgh), THEN rehearsing with my fellow musician friends, and then going to see the Pittsburgh Symphony perform!!!!!!!! As described by the PSO website, here is what I'll be attending tomorrow:

 "Manfred Honeck leads the PSO in a celebration of Pittsburgh composers.  Five composers representing different Pittsburgh universities contribute a movement to the world premiere of this five-part PSO commission inspired by archaic elements such as earth, water, air, fire, and metal. NASA video footage of the planets accompanies this performance of The Planets.  From bellicose Mars to mystical Neptune, Holst's iconic musical portrayal of the planets and their astrological significance has delighted audiences with its richly-colored orchestration and memorable melodies." 

 I must say that I'm disappointed in my dad.  He WORKS for NASA and didn't really want to go.  It's not like he said "I don't want to go," but when I told him about it (multiple times,) he didn't say "no" but didn't say "yes."  Aka, he wasn't overly enthusiastic.  I DO get that I tend to care about music-related things more than others, but come on...that's right up his alley!  And there is VIDEO FOOTAGE while the orchestra plays in the background.   Whatever.  His loss.  (And no, he won't read this, because to my knowledge he doesn't read my blog.  He doesn't have any type of social media account either.  At least, not that I know of.) 

 Moving on....what tip number are we on?  7 I believe? Let's hope so!  Remember, there will be 10 "easing your nerves before a recital" tips altogether!!!


 Tip #7:  View those nerves as "adrenaline."  In fact, replace it with that word.
 





Let's substitute playing your instrument in front of people to bungee jumping off a bridge.  Just hear me out, OK?

 You've been scared to bungee jump your entire life, even though you've always wanted to accomplish the task.  You finally get enough guts to sign up to jump off  the bridge; the bridge that has been waiting for you day in and day out for years.  Your ankles get tied up....the adrenaline is at it's all time peak.   You're sweating bullets.  You're regretting this horrible decision.  "WHAT WAS I THINKING???" you ask yourself. You're shaking. It's safe to say you're in total panic mode, and on top of that, you are in front of a ton of people watching you panic. Talk about humiliating.  You're so scared....but you're so close.....oh so close....yet so far....literally.  The bridge never looked half as scary as now.  Everything down below looks microscopic.  "It's too late to back out now without looking like a total wimp...but at this point I'm willing to chicken out.....I want my mommy."  That's what your mind is saying, but deep down...and I'm talking DEEP, DEEP down, your heart wants this.  You've waited so long for this moment.  You've worked so hard to get to this point. And.........as if your body had been taken over....you jump.  You're off the bridge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!  IT'S SCARY!  IT'S FUN!  IT'S CRAZY!  (note: IT'S 500 OTHER EMOTIONS THAT I CAN'T SAY BECAUSE I'VE NEVER BUNGEE JUMPED IN MY LIFE!)  IT'S THE MOMENT YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOUR ENTIRE LIFE!!!!!!!!  What an adrenaline rush!!!!!!!!!  

And, like that, it's over!  YOU HAVE SURVIVED.  You cannot believe your feet are on the ground.   You feel like the most accomplished person on the planet...and that...is a good feeling. 

After any sort of adrenaline rush, your body feels a "type of way."  I can't speak for everyone...but I'll speak for myself and hopefully you'll understand what I mean.  I'm no daredevil by any means...but I do know what it's like to be super afraid of doing something and then completing it.  I physically feel more relaxed than ever...and it's an amazing feeling.  Like I'm light as a feather, or something, (too bad that feeling doesn't last long...esp after I eat.  Ugh....I love food, I wish it just loved me a bit more. Ok, back to my point.) 


People don't associate the word "adrenaline" as a bad thing.  In fact, a little adrenaline is actually good for you.   It will make you focus, and feel like you are in your own world and everything else around you is still. After the rush is over, you feel so...good.  I don't know what other way to describe it. 


 ***And for the record, let's be real:  what's scarier, playing in a recital or bungee jumping??? That could be a tip in itself, but I'll throw it in this one.  Before freaking out about a recital...remind yourself...it's a RECITAL.  IT'S NOT BUNGEE JUMPING.  By any means!***


Have a good weekend everyone.  I can almost guarantee no post for tomorrow since I already told you how chaotic my day will be.  I'll shoot for Sunday, though. 


Til next time
 ~Givi Girl

Easing your nerves-Tip #6

We are on tip #6 out of 10 for our "Easing your nerves before a recital" tips week!







This entry is very quite simple:  Before a performance, visualize yourself doing well. 

Before you're about to play, just envision yourself playing beautifully! It's simple as that.  You can use this before an exam too...visualize yourself going through each question easily.  It really works!!

Don't mean to make this entry short...but I have a ton of homework to do and it takes even longer on "Bachelor" nights!!!!!!!!!


Til next time
~Givi Girl

Easing your nerves: Tip #5

 Had three lessons today...each student was in the 5-6 range.  Man they're cute. 

Another student comes at 6:30 so I'll just jump right into it today.  So far, I think this will be the most helpful if you are one of those victims of stage fright! 




Easing your nerves: Tip #5- Stop with the "what-if's!!!!!!!!"

"What if I play a wrong note?"

"What if the audience thinks I sound bad?"

"What if I lose my place in the music?"

"What if I drop my violin?"

"What if an alien abduction happens in the middle of my performance?" 

I SAID STOP IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   



Your mind is only controlled by YOU!! Be strong minded.  Any time those silly "what-if" thoughts start creeping into your brain...refuse to let them in.  Just fight yourself until you forget about it. 

"What-if" questions are 99% bad....at least in my personal experience.  They have the ability to absolutely torment you, thus affecting your performance negatively.  Therefore, get rid of them!!!!!!!! If you have any sort of stage fright symptoms before playing in front of people, it's best you don't let any "what-if" scenarios enter your mind. 




Til next time
~Givi Girl

Easing your nerves: Tip #4

 Hello all!

Normally yesterday I would do my daily routine which entails going to school in the evening.  Well, the heavens above responded to my request for it to be cancelled.  Originally I was planning on getting caught up on life...which I did at first...then I decided to go to the gun range.  It was my first time shooting a gun!!! I've always been pretty scared to be around guns, and it was pretty fun to get over that fear.  Ok, not "get over" it, but at least conquer it somehow.  Shooting a gun has been on my bucket list, and now I can scratch that off.  What should I do next?  Getting a pug has been on my bucket list...and my heart wants one NOW, but my mind is telling me to wait.  I am so busy, I'm not sure I have the time to take care of a pug.  However, I'm the type of person that when something is in my mind, I don't like to sit around and wait for it to happen.  I like to make it happen. Mostly because I'm impatient.  That's definitely a trait in my family that we all lack.  Well, except for Jerome...my youngest brother.  Incase you need to match a name to a face, here he is: 

Not only is he patient, he's the nicest kid in the world.  He also is a superb pianist, the captain of his HS soccer team, and a high honors student.  Great kid!  


I've been busy stressing out (I mean figuring out) where my recital venue will be this year.  It seems like hit and miss.  All of the places I like are either too expensive,  unavailable, or too far away.  To be honest, I lose money out of my own pocket on recital days.  I really want that day to be special for my students, so I hire various musicians to join us.  Well, they aren't cheap. Last year I charged a recital fee, but after all was said and done (venue costs, film crew, musicians, food, awards, photos, etc.)  I was still easily out $200 or so.  This year I'd be thrilled if I could at least break even, so I'm trying to find somewhere to make that possible.  However, this day is for my students, not me, so if I end up spending some money, well....so be it. 

Ok...enough chatting...let's get down to business:

Your tip #4 for conquering nerves is to perform more often!!!!!

The more you perform, the more you'll get used to it.
 
Every couple of months, I provide performance opportunities to my students. 

Anything could seem scary and impossible at first, and performing in front of people is no exception!

Take advantage of the situation if you are given the chance to play in front of people.  Even if you start off as small as performing for guests in your house (See "Throw a private recital" blog entry), that will still help.  

 If you do this, I can promise you that performing will go from very scary to enjoyable!  

 

Church festival

Formal recital

 




 

Nursing home recital

Til next time
~Givi Girl

Easing your nerves: Tip #3

 Snow day for me!!!!! No teaching and no school.  Although I honestly do love both teaching and school....I am so grateful for the extra time to get caught up on life. And what better way to start doing that than writing another entry in my blog!?!  I love my kitties, Milo, Mila, and Max, more than life itself...but having three cats requires a lot of upkeep!! Plus, I have to get caught up on the Bachelor.  That show is definitely my guilty pleasure.  Anyways...this is the third of hopefully around ten entries to help you ease those annoying jitterbugs in your stomach before a performance...aka...nerves!

Tip #3: Be prepared.  

Do yourself a favor and know your performance piece(s) like the back of your hand.  Ok, time out real quick: I don't get why people always say "know something like the back of your hand."  First of all, what side is considered the "back" of your hand? My guess would be the side that isn't the palm....but isn't that debatable?  Second of all, what are you supposed to know about it?  I just don't get it.  Lol.







 But regardless, be prepared.  Practice.  Know your music by memory, even if you are planning on bringing your music up on the stage with you.  The more you know your music, the less you have to worry about.  It's a simple concept, but it would be foolish not to include it as a tip to easing your nerves.  

Til next time
~Givi Girl

Easing your nerves: Tip #2

Tip #2:   Eat honey!!!! 


"Just a spoonful of honey makes the recital nerves go down!" (Mary Poppin's theme incase you didn't catch on.) 

"I want YOU to eat some honey before your recital!"

Eat a spoonful or two of honey an hour or two before your recital. Research has proven that honey is a very useful way of calming those nerves.

Honey can be used to relax the body and the mind. Honey is high in tryptophan and this supplement aids to lessen anxiety and calming the nerves. Also, honey is rich in potassium which relieves stress on the brain and body. Potassium helps get rid of stress hormones in the body and acids to decompress the nervous system.

What are the chances I could find a picture of honey in a violin shaped bottle!? 

Cool stuff, eh?!


Maybe I should be writing a biology blog instead. LoL.  Hopefully this will be an easy tip for you to remember and apply! A cool thing with this one is it not only applies to music recitals...but exams and other scary situations like that, too!






Til next time
~Givi Girl