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I am a music student that performs almost once every fortnight, quite recently I have been feeling burnt out and tired of performing. The adrenaline rush and excitement isn't there any longer and my passion I once had as now diminished.
I don't know why I am so over performing now ... any one every felt like this?
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I felt like that since the time I began taking music seriously as a child until just very recently. I purposely didn't go into a university music program because I wanted to make the piano personal again.
My advice is to just realize what you like about performing for an audience, what you like about playing for yourself, and just what you like about the instrument. Everyone plateaus emotionally at sometime in their life.
Don't worry. You're not alone feeling like this.
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I'd say just don't over-think it. In general, situations like this really aren't so bad.
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Thanks middaysuperhero. I wonder if I should go about stopping music studies altogether to really enjoy it myself. At the same time the audience that I have to contend with aren't appreciative of what I do. Sometimes I feel ... what is my purpose when everyone talks amongst themselves and haven't sat up to listen to me. Thats probably led to my unenthusiasm ...
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Performance is a 'show and tell' thing. If you have nothing but the emotional side to 'show' then you will exhaust yourself. Find music with other aspects to present.
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Interesting remark, Keyboard Klutz, can you elaborate a bit ... I can see where you are coming from but perhaps you can make it clearer for me.
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Find what the composer is trying to say. Most of the piano literature (i.e. non-19th century music) is not about emotional displays, it's about other aspects. Concentrate your attention on these. Of course the audience thing is a big problem. All they want, or can take, is the emotional 'hit' and this is the most draining for the performer.
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Music is communication, and that's a two-way street. Are you just trying to get attention, or are you communicating? If you communicate, playing as musically as possible, giving thought to the notes that you play, then there will be some who will take note, even over the din of people talking.
I recently attended a fundraising function for a local hospital that had a guitarist/singer perform during the whole evening over dinner. I listened to him, but his playing was simple strumming, and his singing was nothing exceptional. Perhaps his intention was to be easily drowned out and ignored, but actually I found him annoying because he insisted on being loud. If he had been a higher level musician, I would have happily listened to him over the idle chatter of the others there. As it was, it seemed like he was saying "Hey, listen to me! Listen to me!" but he had nothing of value to say.
What is your role in your performances? If you are there to function as background music, you can still do it well, but you must still try to communicate something. Otherwise, perhaps your audience is as annoyed as you are. Sorry if this sounds harsh, but I'm just being frank with you.
private piano/voice teacher FT
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When you say "adrenaline rush and excitement," that may be the problem right there. Adrenaline is a drug. Although it naturally produced by the body, it is a drug nevertheless, and like all drugs it is harmful when abused. This "excitement" that you feel is essentially a drug-induced high. If the drug were something like cocaine, it's continued use would destroy your body. But even with this "natural" drug, you're essentially abusing it, by relying on it to help you function in an activity. The solution is to get off this drug and stop relying on it in order to perform.
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Originally posted by Gyro: When you say "adrenaline rush and excitement," that may be the problem right there. Adrenaline is a drug. Although it naturally produced by the body, it is a drug nevertheless, and like all drugs it is harmful when abused. This "excitement" that you feel is essentially a drug-induced high. If the drug were something like cocaine, it's continued use would destroy your body. But even with this "natural" drug, you're essentially abusing it, by relying on it to help you function in an activity. The solution is to get off this drug and stop relying on it in order to perform. ... and while you're at it: stop enjoying beautiful sunsets, stop getting that "rush" when seeing your loved one approach, don't thrill to a beautiful starlit night with the moon rising over the ocean, and, above all, don't get carried away by one of Caballé's finely-spun pianissimi These are all drug-inducing events that we abuse most shamefully! :rolleyes: Regards,
BruceD - - - - - Estonia 190
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As regards the chemistry of my internal plumbing, I tend to prefer serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine and testosterone to adrenaline. But I thought adrenaline was necessary for a successful performance, hence the problem the OP is experiencing. Steven
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Originally posted by sotto voce: As regards the chemistry of my internal plumbing, I tend to prefer serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine and testosterone to adrenaline.
But I thought adrenaline was necessary for a successful performance, hence the problem the OP is experiencing.
Steven I wonder if Gyro has ever performed? I was always at my worst when I DIDN'T have at least some adrenaline "rush." Of course, some people have too much, and end up taking beta blockers and the like.
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I enjoy playing background music for people. I'd rather not be the focus of their attention. This makes me more relaxed and less self-conscious. If I get bored with my playing, I have the habit turning on the classical radio station while I play. It never is a distraction. It seems to relax me more.
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[/qb][/QUOTE]I wonder if Gyro has ever performed? I was always at my worst when I DIDN'T have at least some adrenaline "rush." Of course, some people have too much, and end up taking beta blockers and the like. [/QB][/QUOTE]
That's exactly what I mean, seriously, there have been instances when I have performed in front of stupid audiences that chatter amongst them, additionally I wouldn't have prepared much because of having to fill in for someone sick. I'd get onto stage and just carelessly perform ... I really felt nothing and unenthusiastic.
In this instance, with performing I feel ... I get up on a stage, sit myself down, work hard and lose my inhabitions for nothing ... that's lead to my disapointment ... thanks everyone for your remarks.
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Originally posted by Gyro: When you say "adrenaline rush and excitement," that may be the problem right there. Adrenaline is a drug. Although it naturally produced by the body, it is a drug nevertheless, and like all drugs it is harmful when abused. This "excitement" that you feel is essentially a drug-induced high. If the drug were something like cocaine, it's continued use would destroy your body. But even with this "natural" drug, you're essentially abusing it, by relying on it to help you function in an activity. The solution is to get off this drug and stop relying on it in order to perform. I see what you're saying ... its interesting really ... but isn't that what performing is about, getting out there, losing your inhabtions?
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Rebekah, tell me what pieces are you performing?
Maybe you need a new repetoire, or you need to move up a level?
Sounds like you need to challenge yourself. You might be stuck in a rut playing the same pieces over and over again, night after night.
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Originally posted by Rebekah.L: I see what you're saying ... its interesting really ... but isn't that what performing is about, getting out there, losing your inhabtions? You shouldn't give yourself 24/7. Performing is really a 9 to 5 thing.
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Originally posted by Rebekah.L: That's exactly what I mean, seriously, there have been instances when I have performed in front of stupid audiences that chatter amongst them
I'd get onto stage and just carelessly perform ... I really felt nothing and unenthusiastic.
In this instance, with performing I feel ... I get up on a stage, sit myself down, work hard and lose my inhabitions for nothing ... that's lead to my disapointment ... Rebekah - Tenuto may have hit upon at least part of the problem when he suggested that you might want to consider a "new repertoire" (or several new pieces anyway), but maybe the problem is also - in part - unrealistic expectations on your part: expectations about the reaction of the audience to your playing and expectations about your reaction to their reaction. Unless what you're playing is very familiar and you're playing it in a somewhat flamboyant style, you're probably not grabbing the full attention of many members of the audience to begin with (short attention span, sleepy, bored, didn't want to be there, don't like this kind of music, thinking about work or family problems, fantisizing about activities with their partner later, etc., etc.) - bottom line: most of time many just aren't tuned in to your playing (and this isn't often because of your playing). With regard to your expectations about their reaction to your playing (and your frequent disappointment) perhaps you're relying to heavily on their reaction (and approval) for your own sense of your talent and skill, or your estimation of yourself as an "entertainer", or even your deep seated feelings of self-esteem. Yes, I know this is getting a little heavy in the realm of "pop psychology", but there might be some element of truth here. Final diagnosis: unless you're playing for an audience of PW members don't expect too much from any given audience about their reaction to your playing or about how the feedback from them will effect you personally. Play instead for your own pleasure - and there will always be a few in the audience who will enjoy and appreciate your performance. Picture them in your mind and play to them exclusively. Easy to say . . . Regards, JF
Every difficulty slurred over will be a ghost to disturb your repose later on. Frederic Chopin
Current favorite bumper sticker: Wag more, bark less.
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I'm playing a few ... I normally perform as a vocalist. Piano I don't perform much but I am working towards a few short Lyric Pieces, Bach Inventions, Chopin Preludes ...
As a vocalist I enjoy doing Lieder, Operetta, Opera, Sacred and Musicals. Apart from the area of Musicals, I am not permitted to do anything classical because certain instructors say that the general audience wont enjoy. It really fustrates me because I have been experimental with smaller non-musician audiences that have enjoyed listening to classical (these people dont even listen to classical in their spare time)
I'm challenging myself, really ... I love the repertoire I am ripping into, its just never being 'allowed' to perform the repertoire and having to do something mediocre. A few people regard me as a 'snob' wanting to do classical but I don't see why I should have to go for something that I don't enjoy.
"With regard to your expectations about their reaction to your playing (and your frequent disappointment) perhaps you're relying to heavily on their reaction (and approval) for your own sense of your talent and skill, or your estimation of yourself as an "entertainer", or even your deep seated feelings of self-esteem. Yes, I know this is getting a little heavy in the realm of "pop psychology", but there might be some element of truth here."
You're right ... I mean, what separates performing to practicing is having an audience and sometimes its hard to draw the line of where I should feel satisfied. Thankyou.
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Originally posted by Morodiene: Music is communication, and that's a two-way street. Are you just trying to get attention, or are you communicating? If you communicate, playing as musically as possible, giving thought to the notes that you play, then there will be some who will take note, even over the din of people talking.
I recently attended a fundraising function for a local hospital that had a guitarist/singer perform during the whole evening over dinner. I listened to him, but his playing was simple strumming, and his singing was nothing exceptional. Perhaps his intention was to be easily drowned out and ignored, but actually I found him annoying because he insisted on being loud. If he had been a higher level musician, I would have happily listened to him over the idle chatter of the others there. As it was, it seemed like he was saying "Hey, listen to me! Listen to me!" but he had nothing of value to say.
What is your role in your performances? If you are there to function as background music, you can still do it well, but you must still try to communicate something. Otherwise, perhaps your audience is as annoyed as you are. Sorry if this sounds harsh, but I'm just being frank with you. I am mounted on a stage when I perform, I honestly haven't done background music in a long time, YES ... I try to communicate and teachers that spectate would often say that the communication is there, the audience isn't.
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