I'm playing in an adult piano competition tomorrow (definite amateur bracket). One of my exercises to get more exposure to public playing. I thought about not making this post, that way I won't have to talk about it if it doesn't go well but on second thought I think I need all the positive thoughts I can get out there tomorrow.
This is the second annual competition I played last year too and it did not go well. What's that saying about a horse, you gotta get right back on. Anyway I'll be playing Handel - Harmonious Blacksmith, Debussy - Claire De Lune and the 1st movement from a Beethoven Sonata Op 2 No. 1. I'm hoping I have them polished enough not to not have a train wreck when the nerves kick in, we'll see.

Wish me luck.

Cathy

Cathy,

With all that JP practice, you can't lose!

Knock 'em dead!

Positive thoughts are on their way!

Good luck!

Cathy,

You will do fine. The only way to get better is to do it!

Good for you for trying! You are ahead of 99% of the world.

David

You GO!

Cathy,
Best wishes for tomorrow. Is this a formal adult competition. I think there needs to be more of these adult competitions/recitals.

I'll be rooting for you. Play well.

Thanks for all the positives. I've been running through my pieces this evening.

newpianoplayer - I'm not sure what exactly would be considered a formal competition. This one is sponsored by one of local piano stores and there will be judges. It's the only adult competition that I'm aware of in the area.

I don't play till 4 in the afternoon so I'll have plenty of time for nerves to build tomorrow.

Cathy

I'm sure you'll do fine! Take long, deep, relaxing breaths. Let us know how it goes!

Good Luck & best wishes Cathy .... Enjoy playing your music tomorrow .... You have a lot of spunk to play in a competition.

A belated good luck, Cathy!

Cindy -- who would have happily gone out to play in Cathy's competition right before Cathy performed so as to make Cathy sound *wonderful* by comparison

Cindy thanks I could have used that but I'm sure I wouldn't have sounded wonderful by comparison.

Well I survived, it went better than last year but not great. It's so frustrating when you know you are capable of playing something but the nerves kick in so badly there is no way to sound your best.
Well I played yesterday afternoon was able to keep the nerves pretty much under control (just slightly feeling like I needed to throw up :rolleyes: ) They had a little practice room where I was able to warm up which helped me relax a bit and I kept up my deep relaxing breaths and tried to stay in the right mind set. I walked into the small auditorium when it was my turn and saw two grands, one a concert and the other smaller set up on a huge lit up stage, that's ok no pressure there. I was actually fairly calm and thought my mindset stuff was working especially since there were only about 5 people in the audience. I sat on bench waiting for the sound guy to say he was ready to record and was actually fairly calm. Well that ended as soon as I started to play, about 8 measures in I could feel myself starting to shake. By the time I got half way through Claire De Lune (the second piece) I could actually see my hands shaking but couldn't see the keys. It was almost with that one being slower I had more time to be nervous. I finished with the Beethoven and finally started to feel the nervousness subside and was just into playing. That one I was most worried about and probably did the best on; it was like it moved fast enough that my hands didn't have time for shaking.
Although I'm not very happy with the performance it was still better than my previous attempt and again I survived to live and play another day. I so want to get to the point where I can do this somewhat competently.

I talked to my teacher this morning, she played in the professional group in the morning, and asked how her set went. She walked in and handed her music to the judge who said, "Hi Carrie it's wonderful to see you!" It was one of her old college music teachers and it just happened to be the one which she originally worked with on at least one of pieces she was performing. She said that she could mentally hear her teacher's sigh with every mistake she made. In hindsight I feel very lucky I wasn't performing with that kind of pressure.


Cathy

Way to go, Cathy. I've experienced the same thing with my hands shaking so much, I couldn't even figure out where the gaps between the black keys are.

But as you say, you survived. Every performance is an opportunity to work on those nerves.

I'm just glad to hear you didn't actually throw up. That would have been very unpleasant for the next performer.

Congrats on your performance. It sounds like you are gaining control of your nervousness. Cudos for going out there and performing and competing. You make us all very proud.
Jon

Cathy,

I think the important thing is you were the master of your fears. You should be very p[roud of yourself.. performing is difficult for just about everyone, and you did it!

You are very brave to go into a competition like that, many people can't take the pressure, but you survived.
Well done

Thanks to all of you for the all the moral support!!!! It really feels good to read through this thread. I changed the title since I added how it went last Saturday. Frank III posted the competition flyer in the piano forum in case anyone is interested in coming out this way to participate in future years.
I get another shot of nerves this Saturday evening at a public performance (am I a glutton for punishment or what). I'm playing in a small concert at church, I'll just play the Claire de Lune. I know the only way to get past this is to keep doing it.
So long for now and thanks to everyone again

Cathy-- congratulations! What an accomplishment.

Maybe there should be a Western PW meeting (perhaps in, say NIWOT, just to throw a name out ) at the time of next year's competition, and we could all go as a group and help support each other. I'll bring the barf bags!

Way to go!

Nina