First: This so professional made, so much humor and experience. It was nice wo watch despite I am not a professional classical musician. Second, regarding the Beta-Blockers: I am perhaps a special "case", have to take different medicine since a long time (and even more than less in the course of time). But I would love to reduce them as soon as possible. And I assume there is no chance. So I would prefer first techniques like sleeping before an audition, taking a walk, not practicing until the last moment before. Some people would perhaps prefer Meditation or Yoga. Thanks again for doing and sharing all this!
Hi Frank! Thank you for your kind words! I definitely try my best to make my videos informative and relatable, even for people who are not musicians or chronically ill. And I so appreciate you sharing your techniques to help cut down on stress and nerves - as someone who also takes a lot of medications, I completely understand wanting to cut down on taking anything "extra" or unnecessary!
These are some really great tips! And on the topic of beta blockers, I had spent quite a long time being very against them, but I've realized recently that they actually can be so helpful. I've performed a lot over the last several months, and found that I was freaking out so much more than usual, and my heart would race and I would get that all too familiar and debilitating bow shake.😩 I finally tried a beta blocker (propranolol) in a very small dose, and it was just enough to calm me down and keep my heart from racing, and it eliminated my bow shake🤩. The last two performances I use the beta blocker, I've never felt so incredibly in the moment, intensely focused yet calm and relaxed. It was exactly what I needed. I would highly recommend it to anyone musician who has some issues with nerves that manifest physically, but has been skeptical; just give it a try in a small dose, and experiment to see what works for you, it just might be exactly what you need to feel like you're free to play your best right when you need to :)
Thanks for sharing this, Andrew! I was also very "against" beta blockers for a long time because it felt kind of like cheating or an unfair advantage, and I also don't love the idea of having to rely on a medication in order to perform my best. I'm also stubborn and wanted to be able to control things all on my own! That being said, I have found taking 10mg of propranolol to be SO helpful in the really stressful moments where I need a little stability, and I share a lot of the same experience you have mentioned - it helps me stay in the moment, gets rid of the shaky bow - it's great! And like you said, it's all about experimenting and finding the right dose that works for you.
@@ChronicallyMusical You're very welcome! Yes, that's very very similar to how I used to think as well. I agree, it is so helpful. Sometimes getting really passionate and caring so deeply about creating a beautiful musical product causes such trouble with adrenaline and fight or flight response. And I've come to believe now there's no shame at all in using a medication to re-stabilize the body in those important moments.
Was reading some blog on viola size, and it mentions that for orchestra 16.5 has to be the minimum size. Wondering if it's true in your experience? thanks. (I am 5.6 on 16.5 inch viola), quite a stretch...I play in a community orchestra for fun but looking to optimise my output. Thanks
Hi there! In all my years of experience both as a student and as a professional working violist, I have NEVER encountered a requirement on size for violas - or any instrument for that matter. I play on a 16 1/8" viola, so if the minimum is 16 1/2" I would already be in violation of that! I have friends who are professional musicians and play on violas that are 15 1/2" violas or smaller. It is all completely individual and based on a persons preference and size, so definitely don't feel like you need to play a big viola. If you are uncomfortable playing on a 16.5", I would highly recommend looking into finding something a little smaller - it's not worth injuring yourself!
First: This so professional made, so much humor and experience. It was nice wo watch despite I am not a professional classical musician. Second, regarding the Beta-Blockers: I am perhaps a special "case", have to take different medicine since a long time (and even more than less in the course of time). But I would love to reduce them as soon as possible. And I assume there is no chance. So I would prefer first techniques like sleeping before an audition, taking a walk, not practicing until the last moment before. Some people would perhaps prefer Meditation or Yoga. Thanks again for doing and sharing all this!
Hi Frank! Thank you for your kind words! I definitely try my best to make my videos informative and relatable, even for people who are not musicians or chronically ill. And I so appreciate you sharing your techniques to help cut down on stress and nerves - as someone who also takes a lot of medications, I completely understand wanting to cut down on taking anything "extra" or unnecessary!
Yayy you're back! I've missed you so much. Love your videos!! ❤️
Yay! Thank you!
These are some really great tips! And on the topic of beta blockers, I had spent quite a long time being very against them, but I've realized recently that they actually can be so helpful. I've performed a lot over the last several months, and found that I was freaking out so much more than usual, and my heart would race and I would get that all too familiar and debilitating bow shake.😩 I finally tried a beta blocker (propranolol) in a very small dose, and it was just enough to calm me down and keep my heart from racing, and it eliminated my bow shake🤩. The last two performances I use the beta blocker, I've never felt so incredibly in the moment, intensely focused yet calm and relaxed. It was exactly what I needed. I would highly recommend it to anyone musician who has some issues with nerves that manifest physically, but has been skeptical; just give it a try in a small dose, and experiment to see what works for you, it just might be exactly what you need to feel like you're free to play your best right when you need to :)
Thanks for sharing this, Andrew! I was also very "against" beta blockers for a long time because it felt kind of like cheating or an unfair advantage, and I also don't love the idea of having to rely on a medication in order to perform my best. I'm also stubborn and wanted to be able to control things all on my own! That being said, I have found taking 10mg of propranolol to be SO helpful in the really stressful moments where I need a little stability, and I share a lot of the same experience you have mentioned - it helps me stay in the moment, gets rid of the shaky bow - it's great! And like you said, it's all about experimenting and finding the right dose that works for you.
@@ChronicallyMusical You're very welcome! Yes, that's very very similar to how I used to think as well. I agree, it is so helpful. Sometimes getting really passionate and caring so deeply about creating a beautiful musical product causes such trouble with adrenaline and fight or flight response. And I've come to believe now there's no shame at all in using a medication to re-stabilize the body in those important moments.
Was reading some blog on viola size, and it mentions that for orchestra 16.5 has to be the minimum size. Wondering if it's true in your experience? thanks. (I am 5.6 on 16.5 inch viola), quite a stretch...I play in a community orchestra for fun but looking to optimise my output. Thanks
Hi there! In all my years of experience both as a student and as a professional working violist, I have NEVER encountered a requirement on size for violas - or any instrument for that matter. I play on a 16 1/8" viola, so if the minimum is 16 1/2" I would already be in violation of that! I have friends who are professional musicians and play on violas that are 15 1/2" violas or smaller. It is all completely individual and based on a persons preference and size, so definitely don't feel like you need to play a big viola. If you are uncomfortable playing on a 16.5", I would highly recommend looking into finding something a little smaller - it's not worth injuring yourself!
You play behind a screen? I didn’t know that. Makes sense though.
Yes! They try and keep it “fair” (even though pre-advancing a bunch of people to final round isn’t exactly fair!)