NERVOUS To Perform?! Well...Pretend You Are DYING - Josh Wright Piano TV

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  • Опубликовано: 21 ноя 2024

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  • @MarsLos10
    @MarsLos10 5 лет назад +121

    I have to perform in a couple of weeks, and I'm so nervous because last time I perfomed I failed miserably, I didn't even finish the piece I just left the stage shaking and barely breathing in a huge panick attack and I don't wanna live this again. Thanks Josh, you may change my perspective on playing in front of an audience. Thinking this is my last chance to play the piano is pretty shocking and it makes me more emotional and focused. Wish me luck guys xD

    • @halamz2361
      @halamz2361 5 лет назад +12

      How was your performance?

    • @nathanaelgeorge2940
      @nathanaelgeorge2940 4 года назад +11

      Hey, I know this is too late, but I can totally relate with you not finishing your piece due to a panick attack during a performance. Same thing happened to me recently, and I don't ever want that to happen. I hope Josh's tip of pretending it's your last time to play the piece works. Anyways how did your performance go?

    • @hristinakatsarova7725
      @hristinakatsarova7725 4 года назад +4

      How did you deal with the trauma? I had a similar experience as a child and I want to get rid of the scars and be able to move on

    • @MarsLos10
      @MarsLos10 4 года назад +21

      oh hi, I just saw your replies. So, this performance went surprisingly well! It's been a while since that day, but I remember thinking of Josh's words a few minutes before performing. I also tried to dive in the emotion of my piece, I took my time breathing before I started, I was just staring at the keys for a few seconds. "Nobody is rushing here, they came to listen to music, this is your last chance of playing", I thought something like this with deep breathing which helps me relax.
      A couple of months after this good performance I had exams tho, and it was a mess, I played almost every piece twice. First try failed in the middle where some memory gaps or muscle memory issues popped up, but luckily second try was better. I told the examiners I am shaking, they could see my hands shaking across the room, so they might were less strict on my playing and focused on the techniques I've practiced. I passed the exam with good grades, I don't know how, in my opinion anxiety messed me up again, so I still suffer form stage fright but yeah. At least I can proudly say I did a good perfomance ONCE xD
      How did YOUR performances go?:)

    • @williamtaittinger4529
      @williamtaittinger4529 Год назад

      @@MarsLos10 nad how is it today? do you still play?

  • @robertkielty5094
    @robertkielty5094 6 лет назад +72

    This is how to be in the moment, pretend it's your last! That's actually a top tip. Not just for performing, but for your whole life. Thanks Josh.

  • @lifeaschrisyanak5150
    @lifeaschrisyanak5150 6 лет назад +113

    You successfully shocked us all with the title. 😂

    • @sirchoppy1810
      @sirchoppy1810 3 года назад

      "pretend you are D Y I N G " lol

    • @sungvin
      @sungvin Месяц назад

      @@sirchoppy1810perfectly cut off title

  • @IlliterateBreadsTV
    @IlliterateBreadsTV 4 года назад +14

    Every time I perform live, my hands begin to sweat, then they begin to fall asleep, and then I get a sudden urge throw up as well as a headache. Wonderful.

  • @saptaksoctave8068
    @saptaksoctave8068 4 года назад +10

    Love his playing, love the advice, love the man himself... best teacher on the planet

  • @ChanningWalton
    @ChanningWalton 6 лет назад +72

    I’ll try this. I’m so nervous even recording myself causes me to screw up.

    • @simonfrasch3066
      @simonfrasch3066 6 лет назад +12

      That happened to me in the beginning to, but the more I do it, the better I play

    • @xyZabC-tg1pw
      @xyZabC-tg1pw 4 года назад +1

      HAHA same

    • @Thiago-px9ev
      @Thiago-px9ev 4 года назад +12

      I personally find recording way scarier than playing for other people. You know why? Because when Im recording I get too perfectionist and see myself overthinking about everything, all the time, till I mess it up and finally calm down. When I play for other people I get way more confident, mainly because they will not even know if I make a mistake or something, I dont have that pressure of "If I play anything wrong I will stop and restart recording from the bottom again". Also I get too out of focus looking to my cellphone and trying to not appear in the record, leaving only my hands on display, and everything gets so tied up and without spontaneity... I just hate that. Also, playing for other people is relaxing because you are doing something good for other person, you know? This good feeling comes and music makes totally sense... its like Valentina Lisitsa once said: Music was made to be shared. After all, when I work really hard on a piece I want people to feel the way I do while playing it! Keeping it away from others is just selfish.

    • @nedermusic1852
      @nedermusic1852 4 года назад +2

      @@Thiago-px9ev Are you some kind of a copy of me?

    • @Thiago-px9ev
      @Thiago-px9ev 4 года назад +2

      @@nedermusic1852 Ahahha we share the same thoughts about playing?

  • @persuadersonic
    @persuadersonic 6 лет назад +27

    Well, beside being a bit tragic, I think it's not wrong. Actually, this principle should be extended also for all other aspects of life. For we don't know our future.

  • @worstpianist3985
    @worstpianist3985 3 года назад +2

    The thought "what do I want to say with this piece" is particularly insightful. Thank you.

  • @metteholm4833
    @metteholm4833 5 лет назад +20

    My nerves simply blinds my recognition of the keys - the keyboard as a whole. Panic! No, it has become better.

  • @RobyMBeki
    @RobyMBeki 6 лет назад +30

    You're a genius

  • @lindokuhlembothwe8639
    @lindokuhlembothwe8639 2 года назад +5

    Thank you so much Josh, this video helped me a lot, as i was featured in a concert today. i was nervous and i made mistakes but i enjoyed the piece.

  • @cameronpeterson1175
    @cameronpeterson1175 Год назад +1

    10:10 Every artist has their own voice. Wonderful insight. I've been playing classical piano for 33 years, and I don't think I've ever heard it said quite this way, this directly. I'm going to repeat this to myself before each performance from now on. Thank you.

  • @JanetWilliams01
    @JanetWilliams01 6 лет назад +5

    Josh, I really enjoy listening to your stories, to the things you've learned from your teachers and from your students, and -- oh -- I even enjoy listening to you play. Such a delight. THANK YOU!

  • @KeepingOnTheWatch
    @KeepingOnTheWatch 6 лет назад +3

    Due to my erratic work schedule I’ve been self-taught until now. A couple weeks ago I found a grand piano at the Montréal airport and started playing a piece I know very well. It was completely messed up and couldn’t even finish it. My nervousness perplexed me. This video is what I needed.

  • @Zoom1513
    @Zoom1513 6 месяцев назад

    Thank you! I already feel more confident.

  • @Mucologist
    @Mucologist 2 года назад +1

    All very helpful. An insightful and compassionate way to look at the problem. Thanks,

  • @jamieredden554
    @jamieredden554 Год назад +1

    Thank you for your expert advice. I play for my church and lately I have really been having issues with my nerves getting the best of me. What you have said in this video makes so much sense and I'm going to try it

  • @michaelsweany9207
    @michaelsweany9207 3 года назад +1

    Very helpful. I always feel like i should be better in front of people than when im playing alone in order to impress, but that usually leads to rushing, tension, and mistakes. The best you can play for yourself should be how you present it to others. Just learn it well so you are prepared even though you are nervous, but dont focus on being impressive. Make good music and the rest will take care of myself

  • @natalie.piano40
    @natalie.piano40 6 лет назад +13

    This is one of the most valuable pieces of advice I've heard about dealing with performance nerves! I have never thought about this before thank you so much 👏😉

  • @kontrapunkti
    @kontrapunkti 6 лет назад +6

    Liking the channel! Im actually Pianist myself, and a teacher, and I like to get new perspective on my teaching, and why not for my playing as well. Learning never ends!:)
    Cheers from Finland!

  • @portlandpianostudio
    @portlandpianostudio 4 года назад +2

    This entire video contains some of the best advice ever 🎹👏🏻

  • @jeromeyim4194
    @jeromeyim4194 5 лет назад +3

    Always pleasant to listen to your experiences with your students, real discussion and reflection shows the real way to piano performing.

  • @OganySupreme
    @OganySupreme 5 лет назад +5

    This guy's a genius!

  • @nosuchthing4789
    @nosuchthing4789 2 года назад +1

    Just honestly enjoying the play would suffice.

  • @aidanm.1683
    @aidanm.1683 2 года назад +1

    Josh that ted talk was linda apple monson "overcoming stage fright" I watched it too, and it actually just reappeared in the recommendations under this video.

  • @davidlewis4013
    @davidlewis4013 2 года назад +1

    What a brilliant video!

  • @JermaineOneal1
    @JermaineOneal1 6 лет назад +6

    That Menuet is actually by Christian Petzold. Bach just published it in his Notenbüchlein für Anna Magdalena Bach.

  • @ericastier1646
    @ericastier1646 2 года назад +1

    Here is my experience on this topic. But first your video and performance are awesome, i haven't heard that level of performance for years on the Saens Sens concerto. I was moved by that intro.
    So, long ago at a university semester end jury i experienced once again the nervousness which i tamed more and more every semester (although that depended on how confident i was with the pieces). But half an hour before going on stage i rejected that nervousness this way : I knew that if i screwed up because of nervousness i would be very upset with myself, but if i screwed up a passage because i had not fully mastered it then i would forgive myself. So when the negative voices came, i answered to them, no way, i want to show the level i have reached after studying hard this semester, and nervousness is wasting my time and the jury's time, everyone. That made me serene and confident that allowed myself to not be perfect in exchange for not letting nervousness having anything to do with it. I felt that it would be a pity if i couldn't share the music at the level i knew i had reached. That made me very confident and whenever the nervousness tried to put an insistent foot in the door, i answered, no way, i told you why it's perfectly logical to dismiss you. I literally refused nervousness as nonsense
    And it worked. I gave the best performance, I had that semester. But the other reason it worked is that I had worked my piece from the inspiration of a little known pianist who really inspired me personally. From that I felt very involved personally with pieces i performed and i knew from my teacher that my playing was especially great that time.
    My closing note is that nervousness is the lot of the performer only non-composer pianist. When you compose a piece and perform it, you put a lot of yourself in the work, it represents you. It becomes even less logical to be nervous about the execution of the piece because the concern is shifted to how well composed is it ? The performance only comes second to the composition. Composers pianist are therefore less subject to being nervous on stage because at that point the work is complete already. Performing it, is actually a honor and pleasure. I have not composed anything yet, but my goal is to compose pieces that will be loved.

  • @tessfra7695
    @tessfra7695 4 года назад

    Thank you very much for being honest & straightforward..nest wishes in all your undertakings, Professor Wright.

  • @davidmarcum9845
    @davidmarcum9845 6 лет назад +1

    Haha! So much of what you say is so true! I had a teacher also tell me to stop listening to recordings of the great artists and to develop my own voice. I knew that had to be bad advice, so I ignored her too. I remember when I was learning the Liszt Mephisto Waltz, listening over and over again to the Ashkenazy and Horowitz and Cziffra recordings and marking my score, writing in their names in certain places in the score as to how I wanted to interpret certain passages like Ashkenazy and a different passage like Horowitz, and in the end, whether those passages actually sounded like them, which I highly doubt, I actually came up with a version as to how "I" liked to play it. It was quite different from the giants, but I just loved playing that piece and putting myself into it my own way. But listening to them helped me get to where I wanted to be! Thanks for this bit of information Josh! Please don't die! Haha!

  • @benjamincollins8559
    @benjamincollins8559 6 лет назад +5

    The piano I have is a loner from my neighbor, they will eventually want the piano back, that I have been using to practice on for piano lessons. For me the more I think about not having a piano to play on will give me a reason to practice more.

    • @gregswanson5069
      @gregswanson5069 3 года назад

      The piano needs a companion? Maybe you could get a loaner.

  • @DanielHewsonPianist
    @DanielHewsonPianist 4 года назад +1

    Love the Saint-Saens 2nd concerto, great playing.

  • @melveenboo
    @melveenboo 4 года назад

    Josh, thank you so much for your precious advices!

  • @manuelernst397
    @manuelernst397 5 лет назад +2

    Realy helpfull video, thanks!

  • @josephschepis7258
    @josephschepis7258 4 года назад

    Hi Josh: Interesting perspective that I believe will help me. Thanks. Joe.

  • @mouhsinrhoni8995
    @mouhsinrhoni8995 2 года назад +1

    Thank you so much. So, is the idea to really try and live with the piece the most possible? That's what I got. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

  • @nikkicyrus4613
    @nikkicyrus4613 5 лет назад +5

    I’m playing liebestraum (I’ve learnt it by myself) and I’m scared shitless because I have never performed in front of a whole school lmao.

  • @SeanShannonPianist
    @SeanShannonPianist 6 лет назад +8

    Hi Josh,
    I'm doing my grade 7 in piano and I only own a digital piano, and it's keys aren't weighted, and it lacks proper touch sensitivity. This has really been impacting my progress, but my family can't afford to pay for both lessons and an acoustic piano. I know you made a video on what to do if you can't afford piano lessons, so maybe it would be a good idea to make a video for people like me who play piano without a piano! Of course, on the odd chance that you even see this, I'm sure it will take a while with all your other requests, but still it's an idea!

    • @SeanShannonPianist
      @SeanShannonPianist 6 лет назад

      Leela SkipsandSteps I completely agree. I plan to purchase a reconditioned piano around December, but any tips for the time being would be useful.

    • @musikated
      @musikated 6 лет назад +2

      Stop having lessons and save the lesson money until you have enough to buy a decent weighted piano. Find other pianos you can play in the community. If you are grade 7 there are plenty of people with pianos who would let you practise on their piano. Be creative! If you want it bad enough you will find a way.

    • @dedeedo9355
      @dedeedo9355 5 лет назад +1

      Bought a digital without weighted keys or sensitivity? yikes

  • @mules8662
    @mules8662 2 года назад +2

    So, I have just had this recital and I want to share a humbling, slightly disgusting story: I’m a piano student and played at the end-of-term concert of my school. It is such an honour to even be asked to perform there, so I definitely didn’t want to mess up in any way. Unfortunately, I accidentally cut the tip of my right index finger the day before the concert - that detail will be important later.
    Back to the recital. It wasn’t a solo concert and I played last, which added extra pressure, so I had to wait for 1.5 hours, listening to the other musicians, until it was finally my turn. At that point I was hungry, tired, hot and extremely nervous (my heart was literally racing, I tell you!). I got up on stage and started playing my Mozart Sonata - so far so good. About midway through the piece I realised, I started to leave red markings on the piano keys. Terrified, it slowly came to me that the wound on my index finger started bleeding again, most definitely from the raised blood pressure due to my nervousness. Seeing the blood added extra anxiety, and I was just begging to somehow make it to the end of the piece.
    In the end, I have to admit that apart from the bleeding incident I remember absolutely NOTHING from the moment on stage and it breaks my heart saying that. Performing is the cherry on top of a musician, the reason why we spend hours upon hours practicing, just to make music come to life. I have totally let this opportunity being robbed from me because of my selfish attitude before the performance. It was certainly a very humbling experience to me. And sorry for those who had to clean the piano after my playing haha.
    Regards from Austria :)

  • @mandarinz69
    @mandarinz69 2 года назад +1

    No Josh, I can assure you I didn't notice that mistake 😂
    I look forward to trying these tips. I've never played for others, but I get nervous enough just trying to film a piece

  • @jasminekhoo9835
    @jasminekhoo9835 6 лет назад +1

    Thanks Josh for the vid! it comes so timely when i have a upcoming performance and exam to cope! 😂 i will always remember this whenever i perform now!

  • @PianoGuitarVocal
    @PianoGuitarVocal 4 года назад

    Thank you Josh! That is great advice!

  • @viggos.n.5864
    @viggos.n.5864 5 лет назад +2

    Your Rach 3 is Magnifiscent

  • @camilajulieta9457
    @camilajulieta9457 3 года назад

    Muy bueno! Me encantaron las historias! Gracias por tus consejos!

  • @pianoman598
    @pianoman598 6 лет назад +9

    Great advice! Thanks!

  • @liamobyrne2
    @liamobyrne2 6 лет назад

    That's fantastic advice. Thank you, can't wait to us it at next performance

  • @argyle6674
    @argyle6674 4 года назад +2

    I just discovered your youtube channel and really enjoy your videos. This one about performance anxiety hit home. I am a jazz guitarist, older guy, just retired from performing because I never really enjoyed it. The gigs were always noisy as you can imagine, people drinking, talking, etc. I love playing jazz and playing with other musicians. But anytime I had to perform solo gigs, or as a leader of a group, I did not enjoy the gig. I started off life studying and playing classical guitar but had some hand problems and went to jazz, which I love. Perhaps some of us are just not cut out for performing concerts? Or is there a cure? Because I sometimes do get the urge to go out and get gigs again. Thanks.

  • @AnnaTodorova_piano
    @AnnaTodorova_piano 6 лет назад

    You are the best piano coach and my idol! Thanks for the super helpful video, Josh!

  • @kaylabryson1932
    @kaylabryson1932 5 лет назад

    Love this . And your playing 🤤😍amazing

  • @victorverissimo6126
    @victorverissimo6126 5 лет назад +4

    if I play any piece having on my mind the idea that I will die tomorrow, I would probably cry a lot during the performance! I'm serious!!

  • @raclj9940
    @raclj9940 6 лет назад +1

    Thank you once again for such educational exquisite videos.

  • @randyclar747
    @randyclar747 6 лет назад +4

    Some of the classical music out there; specifically Beethoven, sounds like someone is actually dying. Case in point, Moonlight sonata movement 1.

  • @brandonmacey964
    @brandonmacey964 6 лет назад

    Wow josh.. That saent-saens .. BRAVO

  • @runyanpiano
    @runyanpiano 5 лет назад

    Did not notice mistake at all. It was your conveying of emotion that caused me not to see it. Really great tip I’m happy I found this video. I perform two times a week on average and the nerves have been getting worse and worse and these are pieces I perform every week. I will try this tomorrow, thank you.

  • @jillmcaleese6514
    @jillmcaleese6514 6 лет назад +1

    Great idea, will try this! London

  • @rapunzelz5520
    @rapunzelz5520 4 года назад +6

    Somehow i think this could backfire .... you all of a sudden have irrational fears of pianos coming to kill you in your sleep.

  • @Kendra.Cook.
    @Kendra.Cook. Год назад

    I found your channel searching for "playing the piano for the dying," as I am now on call to play for the last hour of one's life at facilities...and private residences where pianos are present. What pieces do you recommend? Ludovico Einaudi's Nuvole Bianche is the most beautiful song in the world (to me). Any recommendations for the dying to give them their final send-off with pure love?

  • @brezjnev6372
    @brezjnev6372 5 лет назад +2

    i have a lesson tomorrow, gonna try it then!

  • @pianoroom958
    @pianoroom958 6 лет назад

    I will try this!

  • @norikomeguro1502
    @norikomeguro1502 4 года назад

    You mentioned Robert Roux. Is he happened to be a professor at Shepard School of music? He was my teacher back in 1980s. You said Michigan so maybe different Robert Roux?

  • @Bobo-ye7dq
    @Bobo-ye7dq 6 лет назад +1

    great video!

  • @PianoMichal
    @PianoMichal 6 лет назад +1

    I was meaning to ask you few times, what is your piano? Really like the sound.

  • @PabloGambaccini
    @PabloGambaccini Год назад

    Memento Mori. Stoicism 1.0 ❤ in order to give value to the thing you do, remember they are limited.

  • @kellyoris6563
    @kellyoris6563 6 лет назад +2

    Love the advice, thanks for another great video, Josh. By the way, Sergei Babayan is playing with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra in January and I can hardly wait. And I’ll absolutely buy tickets to see you play Rach 3 with the CSO, so how do we make that happen?? :)

  • @kkbkkbkkb1010
    @kkbkkbkkb1010 6 лет назад +2

    "Fearful like... to walk outside"
    lmao

  • @RollinRocker
    @RollinRocker 6 лет назад

    So say I'm starting from scratch. I know the theory and can play scales and have even dabbed into the first section of a few pieces but it seems like it's taking so long. What is the best way to go about learning classical piano and how in the world do you have the time to know so many pieces so well??

  • @sophias8382
    @sophias8382 6 лет назад +63

    I don't need to pretend

  • @samuelrau6574
    @samuelrau6574 4 года назад

    Song name be played in the Video not sure wether he said it

  • @MySecretJourney
    @MySecretJourney 6 лет назад +2

    What is he playing at 6:00? Such sad piece! I want to learn

  • @elite2781
    @elite2781 6 лет назад

    Nice title.

  • @21Cauzzie
    @21Cauzzie 6 лет назад +3

    I did just have an accident and partially cut a tendon on my right thumb, I'll be in a cast for 4 weeks and intend just practicing with my left hand. Has anyone
    come back from this type of injury? I'm an adult at a fairly high level and keep learning trying to improve and challenge myself. I don't want to toss it in. Can anyone give me some encouragement or ideas?

    • @theplayheadskmoctoberproje5022
      @theplayheadskmoctoberproje5022 6 лет назад +1

      I just want to say if you can think about doing it then you can to it. There are people who can play piano without fingers. Just do mental practice and practice with your uninjured hand.

    • @raclj9940
      @raclj9940 6 лет назад +2

      Hey dont give up hope. I broke my pinky finger 2 years ago it had to be casted for 6 months straight. I was practicing chopin heroic polonaise and that was definitely a huge blow to me. Fast forward to 2 years 5 months later, I am now practicing ballads and the same heroic polonaise. it may take some time but most importantly is that you dont ever lose hope. To be honest, breaking your hand bone is far worse than rupturing a tendon. yours will heal in time provided if you have underfgone surgery max 1 week after the injury ,but do take in more calcium as it boosts recovery time. cheers.

    • @21Cauzzie
      @21Cauzzie 6 лет назад

      Thanks Gauri Agarwal

  • @Cardstacker
    @Cardstacker 6 лет назад +4

    Wait what is he playing at the 5min mark?

  • @DantanSave
    @DantanSave 4 года назад

    I just got one of your ads on this video.

  • @Lianpe98
    @Lianpe98 4 года назад

    Hahahahahahaha Nice title! And nice video too.

  • @cherylrajewski3390
    @cherylrajewski3390 4 года назад

    Lol, extreme but hey you do what you need to do to perform.

  • @musicalgenie480
    @musicalgenie480 6 лет назад

    Interesting. Love the stank face!

  • @Ren_Plays
    @Ren_Plays 4 года назад

    The worst thing is when youve failed really bad once and every single time you preform after that its all you can think about

  • @abu61sen
    @abu61sen Год назад

    4:18

  • @kathleenegbert1989
    @kathleenegbert1989 5 лет назад +1

    Why would anyone let a Hamburg Steinway get that out of tune?

  • @osaze2708
    @osaze2708 6 лет назад +1

    that title 😂😂
    good video tho.

  • @MrCinemuso
    @MrCinemuso 3 года назад +1

    Then again, if you were really nearly dying, but still able to play well, would you spend that vital energy on Rachmaninov? In today’s clinical hyper-virtuoso world, seems a lot of people really think Liszt and Rachmaninov are the greatest of composers.
    I’d quit that recital to be playing Bach, Mozart or Beethoven. Cut to the chase in that scenario…

  • @JoshLeveille
    @JoshLeveille 5 лет назад

    You could have just said to play emotionally, but I still thought the video was great!

  • @santuccipontarelli3763
    @santuccipontarelli3763 6 лет назад

    You stink

  • @arturtelega627
    @arturtelega627 Год назад

    Absolutely I love it well done Josh!