Although thousands of people gain a great deal of enjoyment and satisfaction from piano playing, when it comes to an actual performance, many find the experience is tainted by the appearance of nerves.

Whilst it’s true that a little “stage fright” is a normal reaction to a potentially stressful situation for others it can be more severe. Some suffer nerves and anxiety to the point that it not only taints their experience of playing but it can make them want to stop performing altogether. In addition, an abundance of nerves during, or prior to, a performance may taint the actual performance.  Playing the piano whilst your hands are shaking or your palms are sweating is a very difficult job to do.

Therefore, although nerves are considered normal, it is best for the player and the audience if everything possible is done to keep those nerves to a minimum. Luckily there are a number of tried and tested tricks and methods which can be utilised.

Most people feel themselves becoming anxious about a performance because they feel they’re not “ready.” This may be because they feel rushed during rehearsals or haven’t had enough time to learn the particular piece. It could be that they don’t feel confident or at ease with what they’re expected to do or haven’t had a proper “dress rehearsal” where they might have played with the rest of the orchestra or in the particular setting. If this is the case, then taking the time to prepare, to get to know the piece and to familiarise yourself with your music and your performance area can be extremely useful. Practice does indeed make perfect, and such repetitive playing can increase your confidence and therefore reduce nerves.

Although planning and preparation might sound like the same thing, they’re not. Preparation is you and your performance, whilst planning takes into account all of the other factors such as logistics, venue layout and the schedule of the performance. In addition, it involves the actual instrument itself. For example, if you know you’ll be using Yamaha pianos for your performance but you’re not used to these, it’s a good idea to get to know the feel, tone and playing style of one before the big performance. 

Everyone practices in different ways. Just as they prepare for a big exam, some cram in some last minute practice the night before the exam, whilst others stop and allow themselves time to relax and clear their minds. Whilst it’s true that everyone has their own style, if yours isn’t working or you feel that it’s your lack or abundance of practice which is leading to the nerves, it’s never too late to change your own approach.

David has a keen interest in music and also deals with Broughton Pianos. His articles on the subject inform readers about all aspects of purchasing, playing and maintaining Yamaha pianos.