Day 107: Concert nerves
36yearsago.com
Vienna 1971—A Student Journal
A year of music, study, travel, sightseeing &
friends.
Day
107 — Concert nerves
17-November-1971
(Wed.)
TRANSCRIPT
Saw a guitar concert in Amerika Haus. I felt sorry
for the guy because everything was going wrong for
him. All various noises (wind, machines), nervousness
(forgetting music). Honestly, he wasn’t ready to be a
concert artist. He reminded me of a student—learning.
A concert artist has to know his stuff backwards. I
can understand why most wait until well into their
careers. Besides playing the notes, he has to make it
seem easy, otherwise the audience can’t relax and
enjoy the music.
REFLECTIONS
A
nervous concert. Today, I
see a concert where the performer was very nervous to
the point where he forgot some of the music he was
playing. It sounds as if there were external noises
affecting the concert as well. This might have been a
very young “student” performer, or someone making his
first concert tour. Nerves are an issue when playing.
Today, I would guess that this performer eventually
settled down and is doing just fine on his
performances.
My
nervous recital. In my
graduation horn recital at Montclair State College, I
remember visibly shaking a little, and making more
mistakes than I did in practice because of it. It was
nerve wracking. You do settle down after a while.
Pro
performers. Professional
concert artists were probably nervous the first time
they performed in any significant venue. What does it
take to be a top-tier performing artist?
• Top artists have superior technical craft of their
instrument. This is the technique.
• Top artists infuse their own art and interpretation
of the music they are playing. This is the art.
• Top artists generally have few issues with nerves,
probably a result of true confidence in their
technical craft. And much practice.
One thing is certain—it’s not easy being a top-tier
performing artist. Practice helps.
Till tomorrow.
John
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